Category Archives: equestrian history

Thinking of medieval horses and their psychology

Posted on April 12, 2024 by thegrailquest

Medieval bestiaries are mini-encyclopedias of animals and other living beings, some real and some imaginary (or we think them imaginary, because a unicorn or a dragon could have been as real to medieval audiences as rhinos and crocs).This is a … Continue reading →

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Musings on medieval horse psychology

Posted on April 12, 2024 by thegrailquest
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The Keplies and others

Posted on April 5, 2024 by thegrailquest

https://tinyurl.com/2y2j7eydMy new post (early access to members, the public will have to wait for 3 days) introduces the common ground between such historical, mythical and cultural characters as Brunhilde and Aleksandre of Macedonia, the four sons of Aymon and St. … Continue reading →

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Basja the Konik and Medieval Dental Care

Posted on March 23, 2024 by thegrailquest

Last week, Basja had her first dental care. As my vet explained, it is textbook practice for horses to have regular dental care twice a year from the age of two and a half onwards. Basja is four, but, due … Continue reading →

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St Hippolytus: the story goes on

Posted on March 10, 2024 by thegrailquest

A little follow-on to my previous post on horse blessing. The earliest evidence of this custom at St Ippolyts Church comes from the end of the sixteenth century. In 1598, the antiquary John Norden wrote of the place in the … Continue reading →

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Horse training in the ancient world: a seminar

Posted on March 6, 2024 by thegrailquest

Want to find out how horses were trained in the ancient world? Maybe get some useful tips for your own training practice?Join the first collaborative seminar hosted by the Equine History Collective and Cheiron: The International Journal of Equine and … Continue reading →

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St Hippolyte and wild horses

Posted on February 29, 2024 by thegrailquest

As part of my new publication project on wild horses in the medieval world, I will be publishing a series of posts about different instances of wild horses making an appearance in medieval sources. I want to make it clear … Continue reading →

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Fairies? House elf?

Posted on February 3, 2024 by thegrailquest

Are braids in the horse’s mane the work of fairies, witches, or house elves? You can read this free post to find out what Shakespeare and Pushkin thought of the matter: https://www.patreon.com/posts/97778391?utm_campaign=postshare_creator

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A new volume of Cheiron is published

Posted on February 2, 2024 by thegrailquest

A new volume of Cheiron: The International Journal of Equine and Equestrian History, is out. This free online Gold Open Access is dedicated to the history of horses and other equids. The new volume (Cheiron 3(2)) takes you across times … Continue reading →

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Book review: foundations of horsemanship

Posted on February 2, 2024 by thegrailquest

The Marquis Mac Swiney of Mashanaglass. Foundations of Horsemanship. Understanding the Nature of Horses and Their Progressive Education In-Hand. Foreword by Baroness Walburga von Aretin, Charles Ross of Biggar, The Baron of Biggar. Tucson: Editions Mistral, 2021. ISBN 97809983556. This … Continue reading →

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