Which are the best modern breeds for Roman cavalry horses

[John Conyard]

I agree Brian, these questions are fascinating. The number of horses, and support horses, needs addressing. Beyond that officers would not want to go on campaign with one horse. I'd want at least three, plus one for the servant! And the very adventure of getting these horses to Chesters must have been not unlike the British army sending horses to Spain in the Peninsula war.

Chesters is one of my favorite forts. If a unit from Asturia brought their Spanish horses to Chesters, they would not last forever. But as well as taking native breads less susceptible to the local climate, they must surely have breed from their Spanish blood lines. There is certainly the suggestion that the Welsh ponies benefited from Spanish blood lines.

I'm enjoying my "eve of campaign dinner" at present, but between bottles of wine I can vaguely remember period quotes suggesting Spanish horses having speed but not courage. but they would certainly do for me!