Medieval Horse

A rich history of how the bonds between horses and people shaped the Middle Ages.

This book explores the role of horses across the global medieval world. Covering the early medieval period to the late Middle Ages, Anastasija Ropa examines how horses shaped societies, warfare, and culture as well as how their legacy persists in equestrian sports today.

Drawing on little-known primary sources, artifacts, and the author's own experience with historical horsemanship, the book offers a vivid account of the deep connection between medieval people and horses. Combining scholarly insight with practical knowledge, this is the most comprehensive study of medieval horses in Europe and Asia to date.

About the author

Anastasija Ropa lectures at the Latvian Academy of Sport Education, and has owned and trained horses for many years. Her books include Practical Horsemanship in Medieval Arthurian Romance (2019).

Product details

• Authors: Anastasija Ropa, Anastasija Ropa
• Publisher: Reaktion Books
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Release: 01.09.2025
• EAN: 9781836391050
• ISBN: 978-1-83639-105-0
• No. of pages: 216
• Series: Medieval Lives
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Art > Art history; Europe, European History, ART / Subjects & Themes / Plants & Animals, Medieval History, History of Art, History of art: Byzantine & Medieval art c 500 CE to c 1400, Nature in art, European history: medieval period, middle ages, HISTORY / Europe / Medieval, Medieval style, ART / History / European / Medieval