<P> Horses were well suited to the warfare tactics of the nomadic cultures from the steppes of Central Asia . Several East Asian cultures made extensive use of cavalry and chariots . Muslim warriors relied upon light cavalry in their campaigns throughout North Africa, Asia, and Europe beginning in the 7th and 8th centuries AD . Europeans used several types of war horses in the Middle Ages, and the best - known heavy cavalry warrior of the period was the armoured knight . With the decline of the knight and rise of gunpowder in warfare, light cavalry again rose to prominence, used in both European warfare and in the conquest of the Americas . Battle cavalry developed to take on a multitude of roles in the late 18th century and early 19th century and was often crucial for victory in the Napoleonic wars . In the Americas, the use of horses and development of mounted warfare tactics were learned by several tribes of indigenous people and in turn, highly mobile horse regiments were critical in the American Civil War . </P> <P> Horse cavalry began to be phased out after World War I in favour of tank warfare, though a few horse cavalry units were still used into World War II, especially as scouts . By the end of World War II, horses were seldom seen in battle, but were still used extensively for the transport of troops and supplies . Today, formal battle ready horse cavalry units have almost disappeared, though the United States Army Special Forces used horses in battle during the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan . Horses are still seen in use by organized armed fighters in Third World countries . Many nations still maintain small units of mounted riders for patrol and reconnaissance, and military horse units are also used for ceremonial and educational purposes . Horses are also used for historical reenactment of battles, law enforcement, and in equestrian competitions derived from the riding and training skills once used by the military . </P> <P> A fundamental principle of equine conformation is "form to function". Therefore, the type of horse used for various forms of warfare depended on the work performed, the weight a horse needed to carry or pull, and distance travelled . Weight affects speed and endurance, creating a trade - off: armour added protection, but added weight reduces maximum speed . Therefore, various cultures had different military needs . In some situations, one primary type of horse was favoured over all others . In other places, multiple types were needed; warriors would travel to battle riding a lighter horse of greater speed and endurance, and then switch to a heavier horse, with greater weight - carrying capacity, when wearing heavy armour in actual combat . </P> <P> The average horse can carry up to approximately 30% of its body weight . While all horses can pull more than they can carry, the weight horses can pull varies widely, depending on the build of the horse, the type of vehicle, road conditions, and other factors . Horses harnessed to a wheeled vehicle on a paved road can pull as much as eight times their weight, but far less if pulling wheelless loads over unpaved terrain . Thus, horses that were driven varied in size and had to make a trade - off between speed and weight, just as did riding animals . Light horses could pull a small war chariot at speed . Heavy supply wagons, artillery, and support vehicles were pulled by heavier horses or a larger number of horses . The method by which a horse was hitched to a vehicle also mattered: horses could pull greater weight with a horse collar than they could with a breast collar, and even less with an ox yoke . </P>

When did we stop using horses in war