In medieval France, knights had a complex relationship with their warhorses (destriers), on whom their lives depended on the battlefield. Foundational to this relationship was the training these horses had to undergo. This book reveals, for the first time, the training method(s) used on warhorses and riding horses in medieval France and investigates the effects of culturally specific practices on the horses to unveil the medieval equine experience.

Camille Vo Van Qui employs a comparative approach, using textual sources, material culture and iconographic information, as well as the outcomes of modern scientific research on equids, to reveal previously unknown aspects of medieval chivalry, medieval France, and the horse-human relationship. The result is a holistic picture of horse-training in medieval France.