Rider

What horse breeds are best for war horses? From the readings I have read in this forum, it seems like horses are very much sensitive to anything from rats to unfamiliar noises. But how do they train horses for wars in the old times where cannons, swords and long rifles are used that could distract the horse and might run in the other direction?

cherokeemyluv

Well back in the Civil War period in the US your "war horse" was simply the family horse usually. A plantation owner would bring his horse he normally rode the fields with to enlist and fight. The same would be true of a northern militia member. The horse he rode to town and whatnot would have been his mount. Most horses that are used for this type of thing (in modern day police mounts) are trained using a desensitization process. Back then you would have worked with the animals you had and just kept exposing them to whatever they needed to learn to deal with until they were able to stand quietly. I'm sure it wasn't always done as humanely as possible either. For a modern police horse they start with a more quiet horse and do everything from pulling its tail to sliding down its rump and setting off firecrackers at its feet and blowing a fire horn next to it before it "passes" the entrance exam. Many police horses are draft and draft mixes which have been breed for centuries to be mellow and work horses. Many knights rode draft mixes based on their temperament and ability to carry their heavy armor.

Thaworth

I was watching a movie last night, and there were lots of war horses in it. It was sad seeing all the horse falling down and possibly getting hurt. I hope it was fake.

pumpkinflirt

Most movies have people there to watch the treatment of the horses and make sure they are not hurt in the filming. Most movies will say that at the end of the credits. "no horses were injured in the making of this film" I know alot of movies which require lots of animals often put out casting calls for riders and their horses, which increases the likelihood they are well taken care of. And a stunt horse is work tens or hundreds of times what the average horse is and just like a famous actor would be treated that way. I know in the Lord of the Rings the riders were pulled in from across Australia I believe and outfitted as extras. Which is why if you look closely you can see so many different types of horses.

SingleAgain

I think that blinders are also used on animals of this type-working animals that need to not be distracted. I am sure it wouldn't help with noises but it would help to keep the horse from being distracted by having too many people around, or flashing lights from swords.

Rider

If you have seen the movies Kingdom of Heaven, Braveheart, The Patriot, and other history movies that require a lot of horses, I can't imagine how they train these horses run through people without any hesitation. I'm not talking about filming in here but the real history where horses get to rundown the enemies.

SingleAgain

I agree with you, but ultimately it cannot be different from training any service animal to do a difficult job. You have police dogs who are trained to cope in riot situations, they too would have to face a similar desensitising training.

Rider

Ok, I am a bit convinced now but I think dogs have a natural tendency to bite when provoked. Horses have a tendency to runaway when its terrified, I might be wrong again but this is just my observation. Well, I could say that without horses, wars in the old times could have a different stories and outcomes.

pumpkinflirt

Horses have been domesticated and when well trained trust their rider over their own instincts. Police horses do indeed run into crowds without fear. They are also used alot in heavy traffic, such as Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Horses that aren't able to trust their rider this much are not accepted into police programs. Its just a matter of exposure and training. Think of going to the doctor or dentist when you were younger. Were you afraid? Are you still? Most likely not because your parents told you it was ok, and you trusted them at their word.