Interested in Roman Riding?

[John Conyard]

I think perhaps that this is an appropriate movement to consider why we ride as Romans.

My interest lies in the artefacts, and how they were used. As re-enactors if you have any claim to authenticity you need to test your equipment, proving it is fit for purpose and not just fancy dress. It is great to see excellent equipment on RAT, it fires the imagination and gets people interested. But often the real interest lies in how the equipment performs, its size, weight etc. All objective data gained through reconstruction is priceless. Horses need to be the correct size to reproduce the correct speed of manoeuvre. Equipment gets a rigorous test on the back of a horse; it wears out quickly, needs constant attention and needs to be really fit for purpose. I think it is generally accepted that Roman saddles were based around a wooden frame, but the flexibility and construction of that frame needs to be worked on. The Carlisle saddle covers now seem fairly common in re-enactment, and I am trying to lead a move to easily detachable saddle covers stretched over a wooden frame, mirroring later military saddles. Riders and horses need to be safe.

The advantages of reconstruction are obvious, yet there is a tension between reconstruction and public re-enactment. Public events need to draw the crowds, and Roman cavalry can do that. All too often a body dressed in poor equipment sitting on a dobbin will be used to attract public attention. And people want to try and emulate successful cavalry groups, and why shouldn’t they. They need to be encouraged to get better. Too often the horse is just for posing on, a prop to attract people’s interest. It is poor re-enactment and is certainly not reconstruction.

I suspect we learn most in a sand school or during training sessions rather than in public shows. Yet public shows can teach you things. Getting your saddle, tack and equipment to work on a horse is a major effort. Getting kit to work on seven horses is a much greater undertaking, and you all need to get kitted up quickly several times a day. Modern riders are used to a saddle fitted to an individual horse, but military saddles need to fit various shapes of horse, safely and comfortably. Adjustments need to be made and blankets furs etc are used to make the saddles fit. And of course public shows can be used to educate the public as well as entertain them. You need a great commentator, show and script.

And riding is fun for the rider and the horse. It keeps you physically and mentally fit. I would like as many people as possible to try it, and for many sitting in a Roman saddle is an ambition. I do not want to encourage novices and absolute beginners to start riding only to fall off horses left, right and centre. But with the right assistance novices and beginners can enjoy riding safely and responsibly. Riding in shows is not something everybody enjoys and some people will need a great deal of practice before they ride in public. Show riding makes different demands and needs a complete focus, but it can be very exciting. Working with a horse to learn some of the skills of the Roman cavalry can be very frustrating but ultimately very rewarding. Building up a bond with the horse is priceless.