Making Garb for Your Horse

I taught this class at Æthelmearc War Practice and the Pennsic War in 2011. The first section contains the class outline.  The second section is the class notes and the last section contains the sources for the class. The class hand-out consisted of the outline and sources.

Outline:

1) Barding/Caparisons

·         Types
·         Heraldry
·         Materials     

2) Saddles

·         Modern vs. less than modern vs. historically accurate
·         English saddles
·         Commercial saddles & movie props
·         Make Your Own
                   Saddle trees
                   Make from scratch vs modify existing saddle
                   Stirrups and leathers
                   Girths
                   Skirting and seat
3) Bridles

4) Leg wraps and boots, special considerations

5) Documentation and sources/entering your projects in A&S:

·         Take pictures
·         Do your research first
·         Not scary, but a process
·         Who, what, when, where, why
·         Bibliography and citing sources
·         Appendix-progress of project
·         Make it easy to read 

Class Notes:

Barding/Caparisons

Display of different barding styles

Variety of types:  Full, blanket, strap - these are common throughout Europe.  Asian and Arabic styles were different.  (Display miniatures)
Used to display heraldry:  Most common display was the style of shields placed at various locations.   Also seen-single heraldic device, or checkered cloth patterns in device colors. (show examples)

Process:  You can modify/use stable blanket for a pattern; commercially available patterns; or several sites that sell self-made patterns.

Materials: linen, cotton, silk, velvet (pros and cons of each).  Tradition of using bells.

Acclimate your horse to wearing it.

Saddles


Example from a period manuscript
showing the saddle to be similar to a modern English flat saddle.

People want to have a more period appearance than what can be delivered from modern tack, therefore desire a period looking saddle.  English saddles are actually close in construction to those in use in period for travel (show examples). Probably the furthest out there is the western saddle with its very distinctive fenders and skirting, but this saddle is commonly used in the SCA due to safety and feeling of security.

In looking for this “period saddle” we have to consider the purpose:  Want something fairly period, or something that looks less modern, or want a specific type like a jousting saddle?

Few vendors of medieval style saddles due to lack of demand, such a specialized item. There are a few but prices are very high and not guaranteed to be historically accurate. 
 

Saddle from Prince Caspian movie.

Movie props saddles, such as those lately found for sale from Prince Caspian movie.  Again…not modern looking but have no historical accuracy.

Use modern saddles that are close: As noted, English saddles are close, as are commercial Spanish, Portuguese saddles designed for dressage and bull fighting.  The former are actually very close, while the latter are limited. Fairly medieval in appearance for a less modern look.  But don’t think these are period--- These were developed  after our time period. Beware cheap internet versions as they tend to have poorly designed trees, don’t fit, and can hurt your horse. Horror stories are common on the net. Sheepskin coverings can disguise saddles and are used on some Spanish saddles…they provide a less modern appearance, but sheepskin covering was not used throughout Europe in period. Mongols and some Hungarian saddles (late or out of period) saddles have this only. Cavalry saddles such as the McClellan and or Japanese military saddle are similar to medieval saddles, again less than modern in appearance but not historically accurate.

If you want less than modern appearance---these above strategies work.  If not…you’ll need to make your own or pay a saddler to make one following your specifications.

Making Your Own:

Saddle tree - Examination of trends and practices of others reveal that it is best not to make your own saddle tree. This is a specialized craft and even the best saddle makers don’t do so, but buy their trees from expert makers. Buy a quality tree or use one from a quality saddle.

Decide on style and your level of skills: Maybe you just want a period looking item, or something more historically accurate. Do the research first. Maybe you want a jousting saddle – to make one for that purpose, you will need armoring skills, woodworking skills, or someone to partner with that has these skills. 

There are several articles online (Sir Armund’s) as well as an excellent article on saddle (English style) making. Read some of these before proceeding.
[Sir Armund's original article and website is no longer active, but the article, or portions of it, can be found here and here.]



Gozen Saddle - saddle built by the author

Recommended method:  modify an existing saddle. Saddle tree, and basic floor of the saddle is consistent with medieval styles, plus safe for your horse’s back and stable and safe for you as the rider. Remove those components that are not period—mostly the skirting , leathers or fenders, horn on western saddles. English leathers (commercial) can be used as they are close to examples found in period, as are English stirrups. English girths are close as well, or use the type on the Gozen saddle based on the Bayeux Tapestry. Seats can be stuffed velvet as in the Gozen saddle, embroidered, beaded, etc. Use leather skirting or what was more common- cloth skirting that continues around and over the seat.   (Show examples from Met Museum)

Bridles
Later period bridles are identical to the English bridle. If you want a more decorative type, see the Wenceslaus Bible. Some 1960’s parade bridles are remarkably similar. (Show examples from Wagner).

Period bridles from Wagner...

Most bits used in modern times were in use in medieval period, such as Ring snaffle, Pelham, curb bits, etc.

Reins were commonly fitted with rein chains. Still commercially available through trail riding suppliers, and Arabian horse show supply catalogue like Schneider’s. Otherwise, you can cover the reins with cloth matching the barding, or add tassels and bells for a medieval look.

Leg wraps and boots
No real evidence to support that these were used in period. Polo wraps look cool and when match the barding, add to the look but are not period. Obviously some folks use these for the benefit of their horses and are considered essential equipment. Try to use colors that match your horses coat color so they blend in. Same thing with boots and other leg protection. 

Documentation and sources/entering your projects in A&S:

Big tip: Take pictures as your project progresses.  You can’t go back and recover these if you later decide you want to enter it in a competition. You will want to include a section on the progress of the project in your documentation appendix.

Do your research first. Oftentimes, A&S projects are not completed in this way or are started after a basic knowledge is acquired, but not specific sources or techniques. Saddle making is a very involved project—do the research first to ensure that you have your facts straight. Barding is large and materials are more expensive than a simple shirt, etc. Study leatherworking techniques, as well as cloth treatments and construction. Use as close to period materials as possible/feasible.  Use only good quality leather and other materials.

Documentation does not have to be scary. Think of it as a process which describes: Who (used it), What (it is and what materials are used in it), When (it was used), Where (it was used) and Why (it was used, the purpose). Identify the project, how it was made in medieval time and what materials were used to make it, and then tell the same facts about how you made your project and what materials you used. Explain why you used materials that differ from those used in period, or techniques that differ. This section can include background information about the project such as historical information, examples and purposes. 

Include a bibliography in your documentation. This should include all the sources you referred to in the research and construction phases. Make sure to include internet sources as well, citing the web page and address, as well as when you assessed it and when the page was last updated when you used it, since pages can change over time. 

Ensure you give credit where credit’s due. If quoting someone else’s work, ensure you cite the person’s original work. This class is not about report writing---refer to other sources for that information, such as styles of citation.

In an Appendix, include a description with pictures, of the progress of the project. This should be clear enough that it serves as a how-to guide for someone wanting to replicate the project. Pictures of source examples can be put in the Appendix as well.

Last tip: Keep sections clearly separated, using underlining, bolding, indentation to make the documentation easy to follow and read. Include appropriate pictures to help the reader understand the concepts.

Conclusion:

Making period garb for your horse adds pageantry and a historical look to you and your horse while participating in equestrian activities. Learn  something new and have fun! 

Sources:

Barber , Richard & Juliet Barker.  Tournaments: Jousts, Chivalry and Pageants in the Middle Ages, Woodbridge: The Boydell Press, 2000.

Boas,  Adrian J.   Crusader Archaeology: The Material Culture of the Latin East.(Routledge, 1999) available on GoogleBooks at  http://books.google.com/books?id=IKsJ-aVmc1EC.

Bruhn,  Wolfgang, and Max Tilke.  A Pictorial History of Costume from Ancient Times to the Nineteenth Century: With Over 1900 Illustrated Costumes, Including 1000 in Full Color, Courier Dover Publications, 2004, Available on GoogleBooks at http://books.google.com/books?id=m_r1PXTTkkYC

Clark,  John ed. The Medieval Horse and its Equipment, c. 1150-c.1450. NY:Woodbridge: Museum of London, 1995.

Davis, R.H.C.  The Medieval Warhorse: Origin, Development and Redevelopment.  NY: Thames and Hudson,1989.

Dent,  Anthony Austen. The Horse Through Fifty Centuries of Civilization. NY: Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1974.

Eve, George W.  Decorative Heraldry: A Practical Handbook of Its Artistic Treatment ( G. Bell & Sons, 1908, Original from the University of California, Digitized Nov 29, 2007 on GoogleBooks , available at and viewed 18 Feb 2009,  http://books.google.com/books?id=6MBHAAAAIAAJ.)

Hyland, Ann.  The Medieval Warhorse: From Byzantium to the Crusades.   London: Grange Books, 1994.

Hyland, Ann.  The Warhorse: 1250-1600.  Gloucestershire: Sutton Publishing Ltd, 1998.

Illuminated Manuscripts, Medieval Hunting Scenes ("The Hunting Book" by Gaston Phoebus), trans. J Peter Tallon. Barcelona: Printer Industria Grafica, 1978.

Kingdom, P.B. and M.J. Donovan, "Making a Saddle," London:Council for Small Industries in Rural Areas, 1978.  Available online at: < http://www.hct.ac.uk/PDF/CraftPublications/Crafts/ Making%20a%20saddle%201_tcm2-18972.pdf>.

Kroll, Lois Ann.  Arabian Costumes.   Aurora, CO: International Arabian Horse Assoc., 1999.

Pyhrr, LaRocca, and Breiding.  The Armored Horse in Europe, 1480-1620.  NY: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2005.

Racinet, Auguste. "Le Costume Historique" and Racinet, Auguste Full-Color Pictorial History of Western Costume: With 92 Plates Showing Over 950 Authentic Costumes from the Middle Ages to 1800. Aavailable http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/048625464X/thecostumersmani.

Wagner, Drobna, and Durdik.  Medieval Costume, Armor and Weapons. Mineola, NY: Dover Publications, Inc, 2000.

Walther, Ingo F and Norbert Wolf.  Codices Illustres: The World's Most Famous Illuminated Manuscripts, 400 to 1600.  Italy: Taschen, 2001.

Wilson, David A. The Bayeux Tapestry.  London: Thames & Hudson, 1985.

Website:  Barding article, Jan 2009, http://ilaria.veltri.tripod.com/overviewbards.html.

Website:  "Costume of the Military Horse," Viscountess Kassandra Tenebrosa,  1 Feb 2009,http://www.havenonline.com/moas/northstar/vol1no1/HorseCostume.htm.

Website: Draping a Custom Caparison for your Horse, by Elisabetta Annisa Gabrielli, May 2011, http://annisa.garrigues.net/classhandouts/Annisa_Caparison_Class.pdf.

Website: Dressing the Horse and Rider, by Annisa Gabrielli, May 2011, http://annisa.garrigues.net/classhandouts/Dressing%20the%20Horse%20and%20Rider.pdf

Website:  How to make bridles By Madonna Contessa Ilaria Veltri degli Ansari, 2005, Jan 2010, http://ilaria.veltri.tripod.com/bridle.html

Website: Period saddles and saddles for SCA use, November 26, 2004, March 2011, http://www.florilegium.org/?http%3A//www.florilegium.org/files/EQUESTRIAN/saddles-msg.html.

Website: "Reproduction of the Early Medieval Knight's Saddle" by Sir Armand de Sevigny,  May 2009, http://www.artemisia.sca.org/stables/medievalSaddle.htm [Site is no longer active, but the article, or portions of it, can be found here:http://www.lanceofstanne.com/armand2.html

http://www.howtomakearmour.blogspot.com/2012/11/making-early-medieval-knights-saddle.html]

Website: 13th Century Horse Equipment, Jan 2010,  http://www.mountedknights.com/conroi/13thCenturyMilitaryHorseEquipment.pdf

Website:"Treasures Under the Saddle (16th Century Persian Saddle Blanket)," by The Honorable Lady Maria de Andalusia, July 14, 2007, Feb 2010, http://www.florilegium.org/files/EQUESTRIAN/Sadle-Blankts-art.doc