Horse harness and armor

Images and finds indicate that the oldest method of bridling a horse was carried out with the help of a snaffle bit (German Trense).

The early medieval bridle (German Zaumung) is similar in shape to the bridle common in Vichy (Magdeburg district), only the composite bits (German Gebis) are much sharper and often coiled.

In this way, steppe horses, which in the V-VI centuries were brought to Europe from the far East by barbarian warriors, were bridled. The headband (him. Kopfgestell) with reins (him. Zugelriemen) were completely simple, from rawhide.

Horse Armor The noble army of Germany, England and France used only riotous stallions and it was considered a disgrace to mount a female horse. In the XIII century, to increase reliability, they began to make a double rein, in which some reins were tied with a bit, and others with a mouthpiece. Continue reading →