The Medieval Horse and its Equipment

The horse is such a central figure in popular media depictions of the Middle Ages that most people seldom notice the inaccuracies or misconceptions. For example, fantasy movies would have us believe that every average farm boy with dreams of grandeur just happened to have access to a well-bred Friesian stallion, never mind the fact that destriers were expensive, high-maintenance and exclusively reserved for the elite. There were times when laws prohibited the peasantry from even owning equines above a certain height, or at all. If however, you are interested in scratching beneath the glamor of modern myth to uncover some real facts, this fascinating Facebook group, dedicated to the tack and care of medieval steeds should give you plenty to digest. Posts include period depictions, book references, real artifacts from museums and links to re-enactments. 

Members: 2.2k, at the time of writing.

Trigger warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join. 

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Equine Art

Horses played a huge role in human history. One could almost say that they enabled it - as they shared their speed and mobility with humankind. Numerous works of art throughout various eras portray and include horses and what makes this group so interesting is the posts where equine art is used to illustrate little vignettes of social history. A peasant family moving house. A Dutch woman in costume. Mustangs repopulating the Americas with equines. Of course, not all of the art shared is of a strictly historical nature. There are also little ornaments, watercolors, charcoal studies, digital art, modern interpretations and permutations. If you love horses, take a moment to walk through this online gallery.

Members: 7.1k members.

Trigger warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join.

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Image Credit: Wiki Commons: Wind (Horses by a River) by Klavdiya Mikhaylova