02-04-2003, 05:11 PM
A centurion riding a mare would be unlikely. Mares were not considered a manly mount and were basically used for breeding purposes. Given the greater proportion of stallions, riding a mare could also be a risky proposition, especially if your centurion travels with troopers, who surely will ride stallions..<br>
As for shoeing... Horses have been going shoeless for quite sometime and it seems to work OK...<br>
I think Xenophon advises to have the floor of the stables made of hardwood to strengthen the hooves and depending on the terrain, you actually do not need shoes. Some almost modern style horsehoes have been found on roman levels but it is obvious the vast majority of horses (and mules) went unshod.<br>
Granted, the risk of hoof injury is greater with unshod horses. I suppose this was accepted as a fact of life.<br>
A horse was also a status symbol. Only soldiers and wealthy citizens would ride horses, the commoners would either walk, ride a mule or a donkey, or take the stage coach.<br>
Actually, come to think of it; for long distance, the wealthy would have their own coaches or litters. That leaves the soldiers riding horses... <p></p><i></i>
As for shoeing... Horses have been going shoeless for quite sometime and it seems to work OK...<br>
I think Xenophon advises to have the floor of the stables made of hardwood to strengthen the hooves and depending on the terrain, you actually do not need shoes. Some almost modern style horsehoes have been found on roman levels but it is obvious the vast majority of horses (and mules) went unshod.<br>
Granted, the risk of hoof injury is greater with unshod horses. I suppose this was accepted as a fact of life.<br>
A horse was also a status symbol. Only soldiers and wealthy citizens would ride horses, the commoners would either walk, ride a mule or a donkey, or take the stage coach.<br>
Actually, come to think of it; for long distance, the wealthy would have their own coaches or litters. That leaves the soldiers riding horses... <p></p><i></i>
