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+--- Thread: Recreating a Greek Cavalryman (/showthread.php?tid=15426)
Re: Recreating a Greek Cavalryman - garrelt - 12-13-2011
Quote:They did use a type of felt pad saddle like this:
[attachment=1915]scytian-saddle.jpg[/attachment]
Most of the time I ride with a pad saddle which I made myself some years ago.
Keeps me sitting firm and even allows some jumping.
http://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat.html?func=view&catid=20&id=245284&limit=20&start=380#297157
And as Jurjen already stated, we train regularly without saddles or stirrups.
In my oppinion no saddle improves your seating/balance on a horse and your overall riding.
But I think that is a different topic.
Anyway nice picture of the scytian saddle,
Re: Recreating a Greek Cavalryman - Gaius Julius Caesar - 12-13-2011
Quote: Totally bare-back is VERY BAD idea due to horse lather! We learned the hard way!
Kind regards
PMSL...... :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
@ Amy, do you have any photos of this saddle?
You really are very talented to have made your own saddle!
Re: Recreating a Greek Cavalryman - John Conyard - 12-13-2011
Stefanos means horse sweat, which when riding as a Greek can be unpleasant.
A thick quilted saddlecloth could help protect a horse's back and prevent sores. A pad could also make horses with a protruding bony spine more comfortable for their riders. Xenophon recommends a horse with a "double back", a recessed backbone with enough muscle either side to support the riders pelvic bone. Squadrons may have adopted a saddle cloth of uniform colour, and officers liked leopard skins. Both are useful for keeping horse sweat from the rider. There are a few photos at http://earlyridinggroup.org/photos_greek.html
[attachment=2294]094-Copy.JPG[/attachment]
Scythian saddles can be just two pads with cantles acting as spacers juplicating the "double back", or a simple pad of felt.There are many of photos of the latter on the web, and reconstructions of both.
[attachment=2292]3262917065_988eb83b96_b.jpg[/attachment]
[attachment=2293]altai_saddle_cover.jpg[/attachment]
Riding without any covering on the horses back allows the rider to feel every movement and react as one with the animal. Some people elevate this to a zen-like activity. Some horses with boney backs need some padding for comfort. I like a wool cloth covered in a leopard skin. My Scythian felt pad consists of 4 thick layers of felt. It is comfortable but takes away the ability to feel what the horse is doing. But makes life easier when hacking out, and for the horse.
Re: Recreating a Greek Cavalryman - Gaius Julius Caesar - 12-13-2011
Yes horse lather is pretty slimy! :mrgreen:
Bare back with no reins is a very invigorating experience, and as John mentions bony backs can add another element to that experience.
Re: Recreating a Greek Cavalryman - garrelt - 12-13-2011
Quote:Yes horse lather is pretty slimy! :mrgreen:
Bare back with no reins is a very invigorating experience, and as John mentions bony backs can add another element to that experience.
Yes know the feeling of bony backs. no reins or just a neck rope is fun riding.
For the rest nice reconstructions on the Greek stuff, it is also a part of my historical research interest.
With a few basic kit schanges it would be simple to add to our presentations, but then again we prefer to show parts of our own regional history.
When you put it in the same timeframe, Late Hallstadt or Early La Tene would come to mind.
Re: Recreating a Greek Cavalryman - Ammianus - 12-13-2011
Quote: @ Amy, do you have any photos of this saddle?
You really are very talented to have made your own saddle!
Pictures soon. It is in progress. The basic saddle is already complete. But now starting the decoration on the saddle as well as breast and breeching straps, and bridle :roll:
The list keeps going... But it is already looking nice.
Re: Recreating a Greek Cavalryman - Gaius Julius Caesar - 12-13-2011
No, I meant the saddle you made years ago? :???:
Re: Recreating a Greek Cavalryman - Ammianus - 12-13-2011
I truely have no idea what saddle you are on about!
Re: Recreating a Greek Cavalryman - Gaius Julius Caesar - 12-13-2011
Never mind, I mis-read Gatrelts post. :roll:
It is one he made.
Re: Recreating a Greek Cavalryman - garrelt - 12-14-2011
Might have pictures somewhere.
The scytian saddle in general was the inspiration for mine.
Re: Recreating a Greek Cavalryman - Gaius Julius Caesar - 12-14-2011
Cheers Garrelt!
Re: Recreating a Greek Cavalryman - hoplite14gr - 02-29-2012
you might like our Thracian horse archer.
Re: Recreating a Greek Cavalryman - Ammianus - 02-29-2012
Myself and John had a bit of fun today being scythians.
And we recorded a bit on camera too.
http://youtu.be/FefYfPsVpUE
:grin:
Re: Recreating a Greek Cavalryman - Gaius Julius Caesar - 03-01-2012
Very nice.
Like the helmet Stefanos!
Who made it?
Re: Recreating a Greek Cavalryman - Robert Vermaat - 03-01-2012
Quote:Myself and John had a bit of fun today being scythians.Nice! What's that 'horse playing dead' manouvre for?
And we recorded a bit on camera too.