Facts About Medieval Jousting Horses

Jousting was a sport of true courage; only the bravest knights and horses would compete. Medieval knights and their faithful steeds would face off in a competition that could easily result in the death of either rider or horse. Jousting rose to popularity during the 11th century in France and continued as a favored sport in Europe into the 16th century. The tournaments provided entertainment for royalty and became a staple of castle life.

  1. Requirements

    • Jousting tournaments took place on an open field that boasted a track. The track usually measured 80 yards long and 20 to 30 yards wide. A low, wooden fence divided the riders and their horses. The horses used for jousting had to run at a gallop or a fast canter. They had to have the ability to successfully cover an 80 yard track in eight or nine seconds. The canter was the preferred speed for jousting because it provided the rider with stability. The horse had to move fearlessly in a straight line and not swerve when the riders made impact with their jousting lance.

    Types

    • Medieval knights used stallions for jousting. Jousting required powerful horses that had a sturdy structure and sheer muscle. Two types of horses were preferred: warmblood chargers and coldblood destriers. Warmbloods were quick and had exceptional stamina. The coldblood destrier offered immense bulk and superior muscle. The modern-day Suffolk horse breed is a direct descendent of the horses that knights used for jousting, according to Model Horse Reference.

    Strength

    • All jousting horses needed superior strength to carry the rider and armor required for the sport; a knight's armor would normally weigh about 50 lb. The jousting horse wore head armor and shoulder, chest and flank plates to protect it. In the early days of jousting, the armor consisted of chain mail, but it did not afford sufficient protection for the horse and rider. Plate armor became the preferred armor because it provided greater protection.

    Value

    • Knights valued their jousting horses. The death of a horse during a match was seriously frowned upon. No excuse existed for killing a horse during a match, but a knight's death on the other hand was only considered unfortunate, according to the National Jousting Association. During the early days of jousting, the losing rider of the competition often lost his armor and horse to the victor.