Why was there a bigger emphasis on cavalry in eastern european and middle eastern armies when western europe is far greener than those other two areas.
You would think it would be easier to raise horses in western europe.
>>1429165
The Middle East and E. Europe were home to expansive environments suitable for cavalry maneuvers. Also they're neighbors with Steppenigs. So cavalry armies are priority.
Meanwhile in Western Europe.
>Dense forests.
>Mountains
>Hilly terrain.
>Most land ought to be used for agriculture.
Hence European Cavalry became one trick CHAAAARGE ponies.
To be fair, European heavy cavalry did perfect the art of the charge.
>>1429165
Greener, but a fuckton of either forests or mountains/hills.
Also castles. Fuckton of castles.
>>1429165
The Poles and Russians had gigantic steppes and a small population so feeding a horse was no problem. Western Europe was densely populated so keeping a horse was quite expensive, the peasants demanded more money too.
That said there were times when Medieval Europeans mounted entire 18.000 strong armies and during the latter phase of the 30 years war some Western European armies had around 50% cavalry.
med2 total war said that the french had the best cavalry
>>1429165
Lower population density and less fortresses.
