Now I know that obviously many Nords use horses, but, seeing as the next Elder Scrolls game is looking like it will be set in the province of Skyrim, I'm curious: would horses be a major part of Skyrim armies and millitary garrisons?
I am trying to figure out whether Bethesda will include mounted combat in the next game or not; and seeing as it would change the gameplay dramatically, it seems to me that it could be largely dependant on the province the game is set in. Cyrodiil sounds to me like it should have been a perfect province for it: as the capital province, they would need horses to travel quickly to areas of unrest, and yet mounted combat not put in. Nordic culture sounds to me like it would be more infantry-based than cavalry-based, (though what this is based on I don't know), so, the question is: is cavalry a major part of Skyrim armies, etc?
I have a bad feeling that I have forgotten about some obvious in game book that deals with this...

Well, if we assume that the Nords are based on the Vikings and the Irish (which we shouldn't - it's just one approach), then cavalry may well be a part of their armies, as the Irish used missile cavalry extensively, and the Vikings used light cavalry when fighting in their native land, although it was nothing special.

This does not affect, of course, the fact that most of Skyrim's armies are made of shock infantry. It seems to me that they are trained to fight individually rather than as an army, so there will be no elite cavalry regiments.

I somehow doubt it. Mountainous terrain doesn't leave much space to manoeuvre, which is key to a successful cavalry tactics. I suppose out in the Western Reach it may be doable, but even there isn't particularly flat terrain.

Cavalry can be used in mountains, just not the armoured knights that I assume the Imperial Legion uses. Ponies and mounted skirmishers have been the historical extent of cavalry in mountains in the real world, and as it's only logical I'd assume it's the same in the TES world.

Warlords have been known to use cavalry in Skyrim. In "Ice and Chitin" for example.

Maybe they ride kickass armored fighting goats like the dwarves from WoW.

...what? It could happen.

Elephants also were used as effective but less mobile cavalry. Don't know how that applies to Nords, though, as elephants tend not to like the cold unless they're the furry, extinct kind.

A 7 foot tall savage with an axe riding an elephant at you. Epic.

Why shouldn't we? The name "Nords" implies, "Nordic, Norse, and Northmen" all terms used to describe Scandinavians, particularly medieval ones, of which the warrior class were referred to as Vikings.

Obviously, there are some TES races which are such an eclectic mix of cultures that they cannot be pinned down, or others like the Imperials, who looked like Romans in Morrowind and generic Europeans in Oblivion, but their personal names and the name of their race suggests Roman influence.

But, you could say that the Nords share traits from Scandinavians, Scots, and Irish, which are all separate and distinguishable cultures, although geographically they are quite close. What I wouldn't say, is that "Nords are based on Swedes from the southern tip of the Scandinavian peninsula during 700-750 AD" making specifications as opposed to generalizations.

ive seen them riding giant woolly mountain goats and elk into battle.

This would be so bad ass

Spider yaks, you mean?

...no, i mean http://www.field.ca/images/large/mountaingoat_lg.jpg. they aint just for milk ya know. goats are excellent mounts, especially during wartime: when slain in battle they can be roasted for delicious, fresh meat.

hmm, goats... well I prefer these, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PWEno4B4yo&feature=related.

Are there any creatures mentioned in the lore similar to a wolly mamoth? Thats what I would want to ride.

spider yaks <_<

I see no trace of Highland Gaelic culture in that of the Nords, and there's definitely no Lowland culture. If we must say what people are based on, please use some discretion rather that just suggesting anything to the north of the equator

And no elephants, but there are dragons. They're just invisible.

I could also imagine bears being tamed and used as effective mounts. Then again, many nords are just furless bears...

On the bear note... http://thxforthe.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/bear-cavalry.jpg

... I was trying to dance around that... However, bears would seem a logical possibility as a good portion of Skyrim is evergreen forest and other environments where bears could thrive in.

My post was a joke, but I can also see the possibility of a few bears trained to be used as mounts.

Thanks for all the answers. My theory didn't work with this province - it's still not any easier to work out if they will include mounted combat or not.

Well, the vikings just used their horses to reach the battlefield, and not in the actual battle.

double post.