Armor Type:  Horse armor

Brief Description:  A croupier is designed to protect a warhorse's hindquarters. It was part of a larger, elite set of knightly defenses and was typically constructed from hardened leather or interlocking steel plates.

The croupier (sometimes called a crupper in other contexts) featured several important traits:

Anatomical Coverage: It covered the horse’s rump, hips, and flanks, reaching down from the saddle to the tail.

Material Construction: Early iterations utilized cuir bouilli (boiled, hardened leather), while later, more advanced sets utilized segmented metal lames (overlapping steel plates) to absorb heavy impacts.

Articulated Design: To keep the horse mobile during cavalry charges, croupiers were heavily articulated with sliding rivets and leather straps. This allowed the plates to shift and flex as the horse galloped or turned.

Battlefield Role: Because mounted knights charged directly into enemy lines, their horses became primary targets for longbowmen and pikemen. The croupier ensured the horse remained protected against flanking strikes and swinging blades.