Old Polish horse & tack - Certamen Equestre

 Salvete Omnes,

long time ago I posted this description of a Polish horse breed as observed by an English traveler (1737AD) -

 'These are much like the Danish horse, and are generally about the size of the Spanish Jennet, are of a middle stature, but their limbs are much better knit together, and are of a much stronger make, than the Spanish ones. This horse is in many respects, like our natural English horse, except that their head are somewhat slenderer, like the Irish hobby; but their necks and crests are raised upright, and very strong; their ears are very short and small, and their backs capable of bearing any weight; their chines [shins] are broad, their hoofs are judged to be as good as those of any horse in the world.

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They are very good for a journey, and will endure long ones, with more ease than any other horse.' 

So today I am re-posting this short description along with the images of  horses, their tack and riders' costumes from the famous XVII century Certamen Equestre collection which is  a set of prints commemorating the Swedish royal court martial festivities (see my other posts on these prints and their content via Labels) - images edited from Gallica French National library digitized collection.

enjoy

valete