A Few Horse Facts
The first civilizations did not have the horse. They had cattle and sheep, but no equines. The first equine used by Sumer and Egypt was the ass, domesticated in the Ethiopian Highlands.
The first chariots were ass drawn four wheeled carts that were used to transport nobles to the battle, but not into battle. The horse drawn chariot was a later development.
The original centaurs were nomadic horse riding tribesmen who'd migrated into Greece. They had pretty much the same impact on the locals the horse riding Spaniards would have on the Aztecs in the 16th century.
The horse collar was invented around the 13th century AD. Before the horse collar horses could only haul light loads. With the collar the horse could take the place of the slower and weaker ox. This made heavier loads possible and helped increase road traffic at the time. The horse collar also made the mouldboard plow possible, allowing for the effective cultivation of heavy northern European soils previously untillable.
Prior to the invention of the stirrup a cavalry charge would consist of the horsemen riding up to the enemy formation, halting, and casting their lances overhand at the foe. It was hoped that the sight of large beasts and pointy things headed their way would cause the enemy to break formation and flee. Rarely was a charge "carried home", and even more rarely did it succeed.
Every movie set in Roman Times has two horse related anachronisms. One is the stirrup. Can you name the other?
The above presented in the hopes it increases your enjoyment of In the Saddle
They even make them now that talk.
