In the first period the horses’ trappings consisted of a head-stall, a collar, and one or more strings of beads.  The head-stall was somewhat heavy, closely resembling that of the chariot-horses of the time, representations of which have been already given.  It had the same heavy axe-shaped bit, the same arrangement of straps, and nearly the same ornamentation.  The only marked difference was the omission of the crest or plume, with its occasional accompaniment of streamers.  The collar was very peculiar.  It consisted of a broad flap, probably of leather, shaped almost like a half-moon, which was placed on the neck about half way between the ears and the withers, and thence depended over the breast, where it was broadened out and ornamented by large drooping tassels.  Occasionally the collar was plain, but more often it was elaborately patterned.  Sometimes pomegranates hung from it, alternating with the tassels.

The cavalry soldiers of this period ride without any saddle.  Their legs and feet are bare, and their seat is very remarkable.  Instead of allowing their legs to hang naturally down the horses’ sides, they draw them up till their knees are on a level with their chargers’ backs, the object (apparently) being to obtain a firm seat by pressing the base of the horse’s neck between the two knees.  The naked legs seem to indicate that it was found necessary to obtain the fullest and freest play of the muscles to escape the inconveniences of a fall.

The chief weapon of the cavalry at this time is the bow.  Sword and shield indeed are worn, but in no instance do we see them used.  Cavalry soldiers are either archers or mere attendants who are without weapons of offence.  One of these latter accompanies each horse-archer in battle, for the purpose of holding and guiding his steed while he discharges his arrows.  The attendant wears a skull cap and a plain tunic, the archer has an embroidered tunic, a belt to which his sword is attached, and one of the ordinary pointed helmets.

In the second period the cavalry consists in part of archers, in part of spearmen.  Unarmed attendants are no longer found, both spearmen and archers appearing to be able to manage their own horses.  Saddles have now come into common use:  they consist of a simple cloth, or flap of leather, which is either cut square, or shaped somewhat like the saddle-cloths of our own cavalry.  A single girth beneath the belly is their ordinary fastening; but sometimes they are further secured by means of a strap or band passed round the breast, and a few instances occur of a second strap passed round the quarters.  The breast-strap is generally of a highly ornamented character.  The headstall of this period is not unlike the earlier one, from which it differs chiefly in having a crest, and also a forehead ornament composed of a number of small bosses.  It has likewise commonly a strap across the nose, but none under the cheek-bones.  It is often richly ornamented, particularly with rosettes, bells, and tassels.