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There were no "breeds" of horses in the medieval period, just as there were no breeds of dog, goat or sheep.

Horses were categorised according to the natural characteristics they possessed; any horse that had relatively short legs, a long body and an even, stable gait was considered to be a palfrey (a good quality riding horse). A horse with a less comfortable gait would be classed as a rouncey (a less expensive general riding horse).

Horses that were useless for riding were called sumpters - pack-horses.

Knights kept their very best horses as destriers, for hunting and warfare, because they were strong, patient, fast and fearless - not because they belonged to any particular breed.

Knights would normally ride a palfrey or rouncey, keeping the destrier fresh and ready for battle. They also kept sumpters to carry food, weapons, camp equipment and other stores. A knight therefore had many horses at his disposal.

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