Horse-riding in the Light of the Civilising Process: An Example in France

Abstract

Humans have had a wide range of relationships with the horse dating back to the Neolithic period. Initially, horses were important for utilitarian purposes including the food and sustenance they provided and more generally contributed to human progress. During the Feudal period only future knights – and later the nobles, were allowed to ride horses, which were used in battle (Legoff 2008). The evolution of horse-riding during the Renaissance is typical of what Elias discusses as part of the civilising process. Within the context of the king’s court horse-riding became more precise and technical during periods of non-war and was eventually transformed from military use into sports (Elias and Dunning 1986). Once horses were no longer the preserve of the army, and were being used by the general population, horse-riding quickly developed. Indeed, horse-riding even became popular with women although restrictions on their access to competitions remained.