Tbilisi state University, Georgian History Institute, 2012 VOL V p82-100.
Professor Mamuka Tsurtsumia.
"Research into horse armour in Georgia comes across many obstacles. In the first place note should be taken of the non-existence of archaeological specimens, and generally of any material evidences. Matters are complicated further by the absence of a full-valued representations of horse armour; this may be accounted for by the tradition established in Orthodox iconography, which did not reflect an armoured horse from the beginning. Nevertheless, horse armour has a long history in Georgia.
The tradition of fighting on an armoured horse is attested to from the time of Vakhtang Gorgasali(V century). Reports on Georgian horse armour become more numerous in the Middle Ages. Early in the 11th century, when the Georgian kingdom is formed and the Georgian feudal class is on the rise, the heavy armament and armoured horses were reflected in the writings of Byzantine and Armenian authors. Horse armour is attested to in Georgian documents and narrative sources as well. Belles-lettres also supplies diverse material on horse armour. The evidence preserved in Georgian written sources enables one to discuss the types of horse armour and it's constituent parts, such as chamfron, crinet and barding. A review of horse armour helps us to form an idea of medieval Georgian heavily armed cavalrymen, which points to the high level of warfare and the considerable resources spent by the Georgian feudal society on armament."
written sources:
Georgian chronicler Djuansher (VIII century) wrote: "....
and his warriors marched fully ready, with Torosani-cavalry and heavy-Infantry. Torni or Tori mean heavy armor in old Georgian, this word was used until 18th century. It is interesting that Torosani was used together with Cavalry and infantry was mentioned after..." "...
and he mounted on the chosen horse armored with iron..."
Byzantine Chronicler Michael Attaleiates (XI century) described Battle of Shirimni and clash of Basil II of Byzantine and George I of Georgia:
"...
courage didn't come because of their(Georgians) number but their strong armor protecting them and their horses from any angle..." (Describes lamellar armor for horse) --->
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Shirimni
Armenian Chronicler Aristarchus(XI century) also described same Battle of Shirimni and said that reason of defeat of Georgians was their heavy armor: "...
Georgians show up bravely and chased them, but horses were exhausted because of wearing heavily armored warrior, horse armor and heavy arms on high speed and long range..." (describes lamellar armor for horse)
1300-1325 years Georgian document describing Arsenal of the kingdom says: "...
and all the reliable saddles, accessories, everything in it, armor for horses, bridles and head-pieces for horses..." (Describes Lamellar armor for horse)
in 1400-1450 years, unknown chronicler wrote: "...
he sent a gift to Eristav of Argveti, strong body armors and horses torosani, flags and lances..." (describes lamellar armor for horse)
Sources from Georgian medieval literature:
" the Knight in the panther's skin"poem century, author Shota Rustaveli: "...
men and horses wear the armor ..." verse 1569 (describes chain with metal plates armor for horse)
"Amiran-Daredjniani" 12th century, author Moses Khoneli: "...
was amored with everything possible and mounted on Armored horse..." "...
he was giant and eager - human and horse in iron..." (Describes chain with methal plates armor for horse) --> "...
and they collide each other and there was sound of impact of irons of the horses which is very devastating..." (describes chain with metal plates armor for horse)
"...
they equip the horse with an Iron on the head, chest, sides and back, saddle and bridle..." (describes chain with metal plates armor for horse)
"Rusudaniani" 13th century "...
his horse was hit by the missile, cut through chain and hurt the horse..." (describes chain armor for horse)
"...
his horse was armored so hard that there was not a spear or missile possible to cut through it..."(Describes Lamellar armor for horse)
"...
and swinged the sword to his horse and cutdown the head..."
"Georgians were usingLamellar, chain with small metal plates, chain and leather armor for horses.
Horse-Torosani mean warhorse with lamellar armor, which appears from V to XV centuries."
The only material image of horse armor in Georgia is neck armor for horse imaged on monastery of Nikortsminda, on the north side walls, showing St. George and St Theodore on the horses which wear armor. XI century
We must mention that Horse armor was used by Nobles an their guards, because of it's high price. Lamellar armor for horses consisted only for very heavy shock cavalry of aristocracy.
X-XI centuries byzantine's chroniclers describe horse armor of cataphracts as leather or Chainmail while Michael Attaleiates described Georgian horse armor as combine heavy lamellar armor which was reason of Defeat of George I in the battle of Shirimni. We can conclude that Medieval Georgian cavalry was heavier than Byzantine Cavalry which was reason of feudal structue, Georgian nobles were not thrifty to get best armor and arms for their warriors,but Byzantine was spending money from state treasure and not by nobles themselves.
We dont want the reader to think that Medieval Georgia was stronger than byzantine which is absurdity. We say that Georgian military structure enabled to have expensive horse armor for nobles and their personal guards which was united in frontal super heavy cavalry.
Therefore research on horse armor shows elite Georgian cavalry in medieval ages, high military knowledge and vast
resources spent by feudal aristocracy on military equipment."