The armored covering used to protect a medieval knight’s horse was called barding.
Barding could include metal plates, padded defenses, or layered textile protection covering parts of the horse’s body. Its purpose was to protect the animal from arrows, swords, lances, and other battlefield hazards. Since a mounted knight depended on the horse for mobility and shock attacks, protecting the animal could be as important as protecting the rider.
Different components had specialized names. A chanfron or chamfron protected the horse’s head, while a crinet covered the neck. A peytral protected the chest, and flanchards covered the sides. Not every horse wore a complete set, and the design depended on period, wealth, and intended use.
Barding is often confused with the knight’s own armor. A hauberk was a mail shirt worn by a person, while a gambeson was a padded garment. The horse’s equipment could also be decorative, displaying heraldic colors or symbols associated with its owner.