North British Horses

[John Conyard]

Johnstone C.L.2004 “A Biometric Study of Equids in the Roman World” (Ph.D. thesis, Uni. of York 2004) gives a good analyse of surviving bone evidence from the Roman period. The average height for a horse in Britain is given as 13.2, and a little larger in France at 14 hands. Interestingly the average height for surviving horse remains from London for the Roman, Saxon and medieval periods is also given as 13.2 in the Museum of London report.

A 13.2 pony can carry a modern rider with equipment easily enough. The little grey I ride in Comitatus shows is 13.2. http://comitatus.net/cavalryphotos.html and http://comitatus.net/greekcavalry.html

Saddles are great for hanging equipment from, but I can see a Pict would not really need a saddle. I am 5’9” and my feet hanging down do not really get in the way of the horse. This is a bit more 6th century but the weapons combination and small shield would be similar for a Pict.


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