Small mediaeval horses

[Duncan Head]

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/jan/10/medieval-warhorses-no-bigger-than-modern-day-ponies-study-finds

A disappointing article with no links to whatever work the conclusions are based on.

[Erpingham]

It will be from the University of Exeter Warhorse project https://medievalwarhorse.exeter.ac.uk/ which doesn't provide a recent post on it, though.

However, I think it may relate to this recent paper

In search of the 'great horse': A zooarchaeological assessment of horses from England (AD 300–1650)

[Duncan Head]

Ah, looks like it could well be. Thanks.

[Erpingham]

It's interesting in the "shock" discovery is that Medieval warhorses were not the size of Shire horses.  I think we actually have known this since the 1990s, when Ann Hyland was writing her books.  This survey does present some archaeological confirmation, though. 

[Imperial Dave]

doesnt surprise me re the size of horses for the period

[gavindbm]

Perhaps some Wargames figure manufacturers will take note - some do seem to like producing large horses!

[Imperial Dave]

I would never have guessed that the Norman period produced such comparatively small horses