Horses in the Middle Ages were rarely differentiated by breed, but rather by use. Medium-weight horses developed as early as the Iron Age with the needs of various civilisations to pull heavier loads, such as chariots capable of holding more than two people, and, as light cavalry evolved into heavy cavalry, to carry heavily-armoured riders. Medieval horse types »»

The term destrier is derived from the Vulgar Latin dextarius, meaning “right-sided” (the same root as our modern dexterous and dexterity). This may refer to the fact that it was led by the squire at the knight’s right side (or led by the right hand) or to the horse’s pacing (leading with the right). Destrier Horse »»