Interested in Roman Riding?

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

He is a nice little horse. To bad Murphy decided to kick him....I just thought he was trying to buck me off. I took it as the greater mass won at the time.
Hopefully no scars?

[John Conyard]

The kick was nothing. Murphy is a grumphy sod but Hal is a stallion and would rip Murph's head off if allowed to.

No. It is more that Hal is an old horse who needs a rest. He needs to put on some weigh for the winter.

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

The kick was nothing. Murphy is a grumphy sod but Hal is a stallion and would rip Murph's head off if allowed to.

No. It is more that Hal is an old horse who needs a rest. He needs to put on some weigh for the winter.

I thought it was Cookie he kicked? Twice? Yes Hal is a great horse too. Almost looks a little like the Karabakh horses.
http://www.grozerarchery.com/karabakh/index_e.htm (a little)

[Vindex]

But it would be nice to ride a horse that just does what I want it to for a change.

I've been waiting for close on twenty years for one of those...don't hold your breath

[jvrjenivs]

But it would be nice to ride a horse that just does what I want it to for a change.

But then it would be less exiting, I would say. Although during shows it might be helpful if he does. Anyway, I much enjoyed watching your 'kick start' on Cookie D Hope to be on horseback again later this week, but I'm not yet sure that will be possible. Anyway, I can't wait till our saddles will arrive and I can sit in a Roman saddle again. It's so much better then those modern things with stirrups.

[jvrjenivs]

Yesterday I visited two Roman warhorses to be. Okay, they are a bit big (actually too big in my opinion), but sometimes you just have to use what is available.

I had a kind of kick start, like John had when I was visiting, although there were some differences. I didn't manage to stay on horseback (so I've been on horseback for about 250 meters yesterday). After I was laying on the ground the horse kept running, jumped through a fence and we had to capture it 2 paddocks away. Anyway, I'm fine (although my body still hurts a bit) and the horse only had some small injuries.

Anyway, here a picture taken later that day. Yeah, one can clearly see the horse was still unhappy and angry about what happened. Anyway, their first contact with weaponry, etc went well and I think they could be some very good horses for shows. Their owners will start training them soon, so hopefully we can field them both next season. I'll keep you all posted as we get further.

[John Conyard]

Absolutely brilliant. Just marvellous! It has made my evening. Your horse looks settled with you holding a spear and shield, and bit by bit will get de-sensitised to things. It seems you are already de-sensistised to falling off

My winter project is Cookie, a cross between an Irish cob and a Welsh mountain pony. You have already met him. He is less nervous than Hal but that doesn't say much. Cookie will be very good at horse archery, but is currently a bit wary of shields when held by other people.

We had thirteen adults plus children at a training session yesterday. We had people from as far way as the midlands and north Wales to experience Roman riding and look at the new saddles. I was riding as an early 3rd century cavalryman for Graham to take some photos, and he caught Simon doing an unplanned dismount off Star. He hit the ground hard, rolled and jumped back on. Remember, Roman cavalry, bodies of iron, wills of steel!

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[Ammianus]

Nice photo Jurjen!

While John takes on Cookie I take over Hal for the winter. He is a gentleman and responded well. We rode past shields with a blunted javelin and did some brief cantering about though the sandschool really isn't big enough for his speed!

After watching someone else ride the horse for a year it is strange to now be riding him myself.
I will be interested to see how we progress, and I'll be less of a big girl and ride roman clothes rather than modern ones next time - but it was cold
I'll never change to any other saddle, there is always something right about a roman saddle. I feel this winter will be hard work though.

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[Vindex]

May I please publically offer a HUGE, huge thank you to John Conyard!

I am now the proud owner of a very high quality Roman saddle. The craftsmanship (I use the word advisedly) and quality of the saddle is excellent as is the quality of the leather used. The saddle is also a lot lighter than I was anticipating, which is good news, being lighter than my usual saddles.

I have a winter of playing and experimenting ahead of me which means I will be outdoors a lot...which therefore negates the requirement for any heating oil, so money very well spent.

multas gratias ago.

[jvrjenivs]

I am now the proud owner of a very high quality Roman saddle. The craftsmanship (I use the word advisedly) and quality of the saddle is excellent as is the quality of the leather used. The saddle is also a lot lighter than I was anticipating, which is good news, being lighter than my usual saddles.

Argh. I'm still waiting... You made me jealous! But, glad you like yours. Have a lot of fun with it, and I'm sure ours will be as good and arriving soon

[John Conyard]

I am very pleased this little project is coming together so well.

Jvrjenivs, we are learning all the time so your saddles will be build on what we have learnt so far. We are aiming for early December. Save up for the postage!

The type 1 is very good. But I have a real liking for the practicality and authenticity of the type 2.

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

I picked up my saddle and had my second ride in a Roman saddle last weekend.
Thanks to John for his hard work on this. Hopefully will find a good mount to fit it.
Also thanks to Graham for the photos, very comical.



Cloe was a sweet little horse, unfortunately the saddle would not fit on Warrior. Would have been interesting too I think.

[M. Demetrius]

GJC, is your horse levitating? Sure looks like it. Heck, if you have that figured out, just about any saddle would do just fine, right?

[John Conyard]

Byron certainly looks a cool dude!

[Caballo]

Very cool, Byron, galloping along, one hand casually holding the reins- clearly a tribune in the making!