Museum Explorer
Birds and beasts
in Africa
Horse armour
From: Sudan, Africa
Date: 19th century AD
War horses needed to be protected in battle. This brightly coloured armour was worn 100 years ago by a horse in the Mahdist army. It is made of quilted cotton stuffed with kapok. Men would have worn this kind of armour as well as their horses.
Though it could be pierced by bullets, it softens blows from hand weapons, and protects from poison arrows. A headpiece of metal and cloth would complete the horse's magnificent outfit.
