Further Adventures in the Cavalry

 

 

by John Conyard

 

It’s been almost a year since the Comitatus cavalry project first became a reality. We have experienced and learnt so much that to even attempt to write a report is a little daunting. Some of our initial riders left us, and new ones joined. We’ve made new friends and enjoyed most of it.

 

Since last autumn we have ridden many different horses, and they all have their own characteristics and temperament. Over the wet winter months we painfully became more proficient on the back of a horse, able to cope with different saddles and horses. A good rider gets the best out of every horse they come across. I believe with time and patience most horses could be inducted in the Roman army. I discussed the probable sizes and breeds of horses in Part I of this article, so now I feel able to generalise. A man in armour in a Comitatensis would need a powerful horse to carry him. That horse could be a tall 15 hand plus horse for an officer or a sturdy 14-hand cob for a trooper. Less able horses could go to frontier troops. Tall horses with Spanish or African bloodlines would need more medical attention and more food, and would cost more to run. But they are fun!

There are various saddles available to a 4th century cavalryman. We portray the Taifali, a field army unit, used to the best of everything in Britannia. The old four horned saddles would be phased out over the course of the century, in favour of the steppe saddle. How quickly this change took place, especially in a backwater like Britain, or when it was completed is hard to say. Certainly the Arch of Constantine shows four horned saddles in around 312 AD. But 4th century medallion of “Innocentius” seems to show a form of steppe saddle. Initially I believed it would take some time to source period saddles and tack. Well, like so much in life if you put your mind to it, it happens quicker than you at first thought possible. We are now using two four horned saddles, with another one on the way, plus hopefully a steppe saddle in the process of being ordered. The tack, girth straps and bridles are being made as I write. It’s time consuming but satisfying work.     

 

The transition to the four horned saddles was initially spectacular. Some horses need to be lunged-lined to get used to the breeching straps from the saddle around their hindquarters. There was much bucking and jumping. When you first sit in the saddle you feel your backside is falling out of the backdoor, between the two rear horns across the cantle. But they do hold you in, and by leaning backwards slightly you can lock your knees under the two front horns for added security when you need it. In fact using the horns to lock you in you can lean a surprising distance from side to side. Stirrups would be useful for mounting, and giving more lateral stability. Not much else.

 

Initially there was too much movement of the saddles on the back of the horse. It was like riding in a rocking chair. I was determined not to fall off our brand new saddles, so tried to stay on as the saddle slipped down the side of the horse. Finding it impossible to ride the horse at 90 degrees to the ground, I just pulled the horse over on top of me. But I would like to report I was still in the saddle when we hit the ground. I decided to get out of the saddle at that point, and examine the horseshoe print on the back of my locked scale. Our saddles needed their saddle blankets and sheepskins especially folded and arranged to properly seat them on the horse, and in a few hours they seemed very natural. It is very convenient to hang equipment from the horns and the leather thonging. I’m very proud of these saddles and love riding in them. However a drawback soon became apparent. The solid wooden frames were working on the horse, but rubbing my thighs apart. One evening riding as an early 2nd century cavalryman with very short bracae and no sheep skin saddle cover did the damage. Since then I having been riding as much as possible and the wounds haven’t had a chance to heal. The cantabrian circle means that my right thigh has received the worst punishment. I’ve even tried Roman-style cauterising to stop the bleeding, and I may have to resort to jodhpurs under my kit.

 

Pad saddles hold little appeal and although they must have been a viable military option for accomplished riders I have no wish to try one. Hunting and racing scenes even show riders bareback. However I would love to try a steppe saddle. Many writers say the Avars introduced them, but they surely must have been used by the Huns and by the Germans who came into contact with them. We’ve used various Portuguese saddles, and we are about to try an old Turkish saddle, but insights to the real steppe saddle will have to wait.

 

 

Personal equipment has taken a real hammering from the constant movement on the horse. My old ridge helm has saved me on various occasions, since I always seem to land on my head. My locked scale doesn’t allow as much movement in the saddle as mail, but offers better protection. I did purchase a nice copy of the Deurne helm. For some reason the hinge protectors were mounted upside down but a few minutes in the garage corrected the mistake. But while it gives excellent protection, it is too restrictive for horse archery. I’m getting some Dura style leather lamellar (almost scale) thigh protectors, and am toying with the idea of arm protection. Sadly I don’t have a pair of pure cavalry greaves. I’ve been using a simple bronze pair that have saved me from injury. After one fall I thought the horse had kicked me, but couldn’t feel any pain. I continued riding and came home none the wiser, until I was cleaning my left greave and found the bottom bent cleanly into a right angle. That would have hurt! Lee launched himself from a horse and used his ridge helm to smash through a wooden fence, making room for his body to follow. I feel a sort of survivors guilt, since Lee’s insistence on getting back on the horse after every fall, finally lead him to physio and retirement from the Taifali. He may in time regain full movement in his left arm. 

 

Riding at speed with the kontos is simple enough if you can trust your horse. The movement is smooth and easy beneath you, and the weapon gives you a sense of power projection. Sword and javelin work is straightforward, although it helps if you can use both before you sit on the horse.  But as one Byzantine military manual states, horse archery is more a matter of practice than skill. Something that is hard to describe is the focus needed to ride well. At first I thought we all just needed a kind of aggressive can-do attitude. But instead I find I need a quiet complete focus on the horse. When everything is going well I can add a little excitement and aggression to the mix but it needs to be controlled.  But it does need to be on tap. Riders should look like Roman troopers, not prim and proper riding school types! Learning to ride as a Roman has been similar to learning to use a sword. It’s dirty, sweaty work. In a year you can look convincing. In five years we may get really good!

 

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