Armor Type:  Horse armor

Brief Description:  A crinet is the segmented steel or leather neck armor designed specifically for medieval warhorses. It forms part of the horse's barding, wrapping around the upper neck to protect the animal from slashes and thrusts, while remaining flexible enough for the horse to raise and lower its head.

Key Characteristics of a Crinet:
Design: It typically consists of multiple overlapping metal or boiled-leather plates (lames) hinged or strapped together. The scales or plates were designed to invert and overlap backward to deflect blades away from the horse's throat.

Attachment: Crinets were either strapped directly around the horse's neck or attached to the matching bridle and saddle using leather straps.

Placement: It sits directly behind the shaffron (the horse's face-plate) and extends down to the peytral (the chest armor).

Weight and Comfort: A full-sized crinet could weigh around 9 to 10 pounds. To prevent rubbing, historical crinets were typically lined with thick leather or padded fabric on the inside.

Decoration: Like the rider's armor, high-status crinets were often highly decorated. Elite examples from the 15th to 16th centuries often featured intricate etched designs, foliate scrolls, and sometimes engraved gold-leaf patterns.