The horse was essential part of the knight's equipment. It not only provided mobility but put power behind the knight's lance. Horses were expensive to buy and train, so they were highly valued and were status symbols. Like their riders, at first horses wore quilted fabric and then mail over quilted padding. Later, they wore metal plates similar to the knight's plate armor.

The knight had different kinds of horses that he used for different purposes. The most expensive was the destrier, or war-horse. For hunting, he used a fast horse called a courser. An even-tempered, steady horse called a palfrey was used for travel. Sumpter horses were used to carry baggage.