Regency Era Animals: Horses

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Horses

Continuing from dogs, I move on next to horses. In Jane Austen’s novels, as well as film and TV dramas, horses are the most mentioned or seen animal. Horses have been depended on when it comes to work, transportation, as well as hobbies and activities. When it comes to Regency England, you cannot escape horses. If one were to write a novel, screenplay, or even a Jane Austen fan fiction, avoiding mention of horses I would find to be merely impossible. You can get away with any other animal, but horses, no. 

I am going to mention the sources used to compile my list as well as give a little background of what the books are. There is only a slight fraction of information I share, and I want to be able to show where one can access more if inclined.

Then I will list the four sections of equine that most of these books categorize: Draft, Light, Donkeys, and Ponies. From there I will give information on each one as well as some breeds or variations to expect from these types of equines.

Books used

England’s Horses for Peace and War, Their Origin, Improvement and Scarcity By Vere D. De Vere Hunt · 1874

This book I did end up using the least out of all of them. I do still want to include it. The reason is when I was searching for the history of horses, I wanted to focus on the Georgian and Regency England parts, which so many history books seem to skip. 1874 is at minimum 35 years past the Regency Era, but it is close enough to get some perspective of how their history is viewed. As time goes on I notice that the perspective of that time seems to differ when it comes to the past. Even though 1874 is a good amount of time since Regency England, it still is a lot more “fresh” take than more recent books.

If interested, you can purchase the book here on Amazon.

A History Of The Horse, In All Its Varieties And Uses By William Youatt 1834

This book is one of my favorites when it comes to my research. I like and appreciate William Youatt. It is one of the only pieces of information that I could find that comes close to animals during Regency Era England. In this specific book, you will find information about foreign horses, and the types of horses you see in England. The only thing I found confusing at times when he mentions breeds and varieties, he organizes them into sections. But for noting thoroughbred breeding stock, he treats it just the same. So I go on thinking that I am reading about an interesting breed, only to realize it is about a specific thoroughbred racehorse and showcasing its lineage.

Going further into the book you see information about anatomy, illnesses, breeding practices, and behaviors of equine. If you want to write a character or focus a story on horses during this time, this book is an absolute must for your research.

You can purchase the book here on Amazon.

The Horse By William Youatt, John Stuart Skinner · 1843

This is basically the same book as above It just does not mention the breeds and varieties, but focuses on the anatomy, health, breeding, management, and behavior of equine.

Purchase the book here on Amazon.

Two Hundred Years of British Farm Livestock By Stephen J. G. Hall, Juliet Clutton-Brock · 1989

I do like this book, it is more simple and concise than the other books here. Which did help me a lot when I felt overwhelmed. I liked to use this book to go back and forth with the other books listed to help me get on a solid track and help organize my thoughts and information.

You can purchase the book here on Amazon.

The Horse – Breeds of the British Isles (Domesticated Animals of the British Islands) By David Low 1853

This is a section of the full work of Domesticated Animals of the British Islands. I like to use David Low’s work second to Youatt only because he is of a late date. Still a very useful book and was organized but not as easy as I would have liked. There is an excerpt about the history of horses and then the list of varieties and breeds.

You can purchase the book here on Amazon. Or you can get the entire collection of Domesticated Animals of the British Islands here on Amazon as well.

Draft

Heavy draught horses or Dray horses were used for heavy work such as plowing, towing, and carting around heavy material. The main and popular draft breeds during this time were:

Suffolk Punch

Clydesdale

Heavy Black Horse (Shire)

Light horses

Thoroughbreds were the most popular breed, all light-type horses would be a thoroughbred or a cross between a thoroughbred and either a draft, pony, foreign, or wild horse.

Roadsters and hackneys were used for travel via horseback or a small one-horse cart/carriage.

Hunters are horses used for hunting. Typically, it is for leisure and hobby activities for the higher social class.

The farmer’s horse is a versatile horse. Not too heavy or big-boned as a draft, but not too light either. Used for all types of work and travel on a farm.

Coach horses were used to pull coaches and carriages of at least four wheels. They typically required at least two horses to pull.

Courser and Cavalry horses were used primarily as warhorses and horses used by knights.

Racehorses are thoroughbreds used for the sport of racing against each other. Very popular gambling game for gamblers and horse enthusiasts.

Donkeys and Mules

Donkeys were used within poor social classes. A lot of the same work that some draft and light horses did these donkeys would do as well.

Mules are a cross between a male donkey and a female horse. 

Ponies and Other Smaller horses

Smaller horses, usually popular for children riders. Some smaller horses and ponies are:

Galloway

Shetland pony

The Irish horse