Sub-Roman Britain (Cavalry etc)

[Conal]

main point the sub romans would have used cavalry but not in large numbers (in comparison to the rest of the army),the rest would be professional spearmen and mercenaries including some saxons.

I accept this, broadly but you said we had to bear it in mind but didn't clarify why?

Second point did we or do we have a native breed of horse capable of being used by very heavy cavalry ie 16 hands or above

Where do you get the 16 hands and above for "very heavy" cavalry?

I understand the Roman horses ran to 13-14 hands and they would have to carry;

Man say 140-150lb for a 5ft 5inch average weight male.
His armour say 40-50lb for helmet shield & mail coat with Cataphract arm & leg defences.( a full medieval plate set weighed 45-65lb )
Horse armour say 88lb for a 13000 scale coat.

That's a total weight of 268lb ... that the equivalent a 19-20 stone man. A Welsh Cob pony at 14 hands has no trouble with this weight so it is possible .... however I am not contending that Cataphracts were used in Britain AD400-500.

Take away the Horse armour & allow a mail coat they you may have a weight of 170lb ..12 stone. A 12-13 hand pony should mange that.