Destrier - Breeding and Size of The Destrier

Breeding and Size of The Destrier

For more details on this topic, see Horses in the Middle Ages.

There are many theories as to what type and size destriers attained, but they apparently were not enormous draft types. Recent research undertaken at the Museum of London, using literary, pictorial and archeological sources, suggests war horses (including destriers) averaged 14–15 hands, and were distinguished from a riding horse by their strength, musculature and training, rather than their size. This estimate is supported by an analysis of medieval horse armour located in the Royal Armouries, which indicates the equipment was originally worn by horses of 15 to 16 hands, about the size and build of a modern field hunter or ordinary riding horse.

It is probable that the modern Percheron draft breed may be a descendant in part from the Destrier, though it is probably taller and heavier than the medieval horse. Other draft breeds such as the Shire claim destrier ancestry, though proof is less certain.

Equestrian statues in Italy suggest a "Spanish" style of horse that today would be referred to as a Baroque horse, such as the Andalusian horse, Friesian horse, or even a heavy but agile warmblood breed such as the Irish Draught. Modern estimates put the height of a destrier at no more than 16 hands, though with a strong and heavy physique. Though the term "Great Horse" was used to describe the Destrier, leading some historians to speculate that such animals were the forerunners of modern draught horse breeds, the historical record does not support the Destrier being a draft horse.

Modern attempts to reproduce the destrier type usually involve crossing an athletic riding horse with a light draft type. These includes crossbreds such as the "Spanish Norman", a cross between the Percheron and the Andalusian and the Warlander a cross between the Andalusian and the Friesian horse.