Hi Reg, fair point,
though I'd reckon that in an agricultural society it would take quite a number of 'ordinary herdsmen' to support a Rider of Rohan with his expensive horse, chainmail etc. I seem to remember that Theoden claimed he could put 10,000 horsemen in the field, but only took 5500 (or 6000) to Minas Tirith so that he could protect his flanks and strongholds. Also there were a number of 'local militia' if you like, such as the defenders of Helm's deep.
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Rumil of Coedhirion
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