Quote Originally Posted by Horatius
Middle Eastern Cavalry (Unless you count the Byzantine Heavy Cavalry)
What makes you think that the Heavy cavalry of the Eastern Roman Empire was significantly different than the Muslim cavalry of say, for example, the Seljuks? After all, the Byzantines modelled their cavalry on the cavalry of the Persians, Avars and Bulgars. It can also be said that the Avars influenced the French themselves. And judging on contemporary iconography, the Eastern heavy cavalry from the times of the first Crusade was probably heavier than the Western European.
Back to Middle Eastern cavalry - the Mongols themselves were similarly equipped, if not identically as the Muslims the Crusaders faced. After their successfull campaign in Central Asia and the destruction of the Khwarezmid Empire, the army that Subodei had at Khalka was equipped with trophies, taken from Persia. The Russian cavalry he faced was equipped in predominantly Western fashion, but was defeated handily when the Mongol Heavy Cavalry center charged it. Then two tumens of light Mongol cavalry defeated a combined Polish and German army, supported by order knights sent from the Pope. And finally, the Mongols were able to defeat the Hungarians at Mohi, where on the side of the Christians fought Knights Templar.
I do not think all these victories prove anything about what cavalry was better or worse. It all came down to tactical skill, good discipline (this one was crucial) and sometimes even bravery, such as the one shown by Batu at Mohi, which is believed to have saved the day when the Mongols were nearly rooted. Making a broad general statement that Western heavy cavalrymen were much better than their Muslim counterparts is not only inaccurate, but over-simplified and biased.