Horses were essential for travel during this period, and were also indispensable on the battlefield. Most of the prized military horses came from Central Asia, brought by fierce Turkish warriors whose expertise as horse-riders was crucial to the success of Nur al-Din and Saladin’s armies. A renowned tactic of the Turks was to charge towards the enemy turning around at the last moment, and shooting an arrow as they sped away. Combined with their speed and equestrian agility, this tactic gave them a huge advantage against the Franks during the Crusades.