what was the function of the Roman cavalry?

[John Conyard]

This thread makes for interesting reading, even if there does seem to be an element of "I've never actually done it but..." or "I have no experience but...."

Riding as a properly equipped Roman has long being an ambition of mine. I had practically no riding experience and wouldn't know what to do with a stirrup if it hit me.

Since last July I've being trying to learn to ride "like a Roman". I had several months in Portuguese saddles, with a high front and back giving plenty of support and locking me in the saddle. These were simulating steppe saddles of the late 4th century as used by the Roman army. I found the ones that fitted me really kept me securely on the horse. I even couldn't resist doing a bit of jousting at a revolving quintain with a kontos. I felt almost competent. Securely held in by the saddle, with expert tuition, things felt fine.

Now I'm transferring the skills I leaned to four horned saddles. I am interested in Roman cavalry from earlier periods and would like Comitatus to be able to demonstrate the earlier saddle, so I now have two four horned saddles in my equipment room. The smaller of the two saddles seems to fit me well. I do get a feeling that my backside is hanging out of the saddle. But although it feels like nothing is holding you on, the two rear horns do stop you falling out of the back door. It seems important to really lean back in the saddle, and make your legs come well forward. You can lock your legs under the two front horns, but you need to almost unnaturally learn backwards. So far I'm really just locking under the horns for getting the horse to halt, but I'm sure they'll help me learning out of the saddle to either side. The saddles do not give a feeling of bareback riding with support. They sit too high for that. It's more like sitting in my coracle! One worry is the impact and weight of my armoured body on the two rear horns. I'm sure they will survive without breaking but I'm putting too much weight on them at present.

I have to admit that when I was using the large four horned saddle on a sensitive (failed) race horse, I was a mess. I was giving him too many mixed signals and even pulled him over on top of me. I was shooting a TV advert at the time so even got to watch myself on film. It was like riding on a slippery rocking chair. But I hope that after a few more hours in the small four horn saddle, on an easy horse, riding will start feeling natural again. At present going around corners at speed does not feel too safe. I've started using weapons once again, but my horse archery is a mess. Just riding up and down shooting is OK. But the shooting in the turn needs work.

Please go out and experience this for yourself. Not just for research, but because its fun.