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200
Solid Tree Saddle- 200 BC
The invention of the solid saddle tree allowed development of the true stirrup as it is known today. Without a solid tree, the rider's weight in the stirrups creates abnormal pressure points and make the horse's back sore because treeless saddles cause friction along the horses back along the center line. The solid tree saddle allowed better comfort along with stirrup to both the rider and the horse. The solid tree saddle was invented in Asia made of wood and covered in felt. -
322
Two stirrups in China- 322-477 CE
China had developed a pair of stirrups that came after their version of a single mounting stirrup in 302 CE. This led to significant changes in warfare and millitary organization. 307 CE the Chinese had begun to practice mounted archery. Along wth that there was the development of calvery that was crucial in the military because a mounted soilder would be least likely to fall off because of the addition of stirrups. They would have greater balance and support and the enemy would have more damage -
401
Japanese stirrups- 401-500 BC
Abumi were Japanese stirrups used in the 5th century by Samurai. Japanese in feudal Japan used stirrups in combination with their version of a saddle for warfare. Early stirrups were made to completely enclose the front half of the riders foot. The Japanese stirrup underwent more alterations to end up with a millitary style that developed open sides in the stirrup as a safety feature to prevent the rider getting caught and dragged. -
500
Earliest foot supports pre-stirrup- 500 BC
In antiquity, the earliest foot supports consisted of riders placing their feet under a girth or using a simple toe loop. The earliest manifestation of the stirrup was a toe loop that held the big toe and was used in India late in the second century B.C.E.,[6][7] though may have appeared as early as 500 B.C.E.[8] This ancient foot support consisted of a looped rope for the big toe which was at the bottom of a saddle made of fibre or leather. -
501
The Europeans and Stirrups-501 CE
Stirrups started making there way from China into Europe due to Asian invaders called Avar. Due to Archelogical and literary evidence, the Byzantines also got use out of the stirrup along with the Arabs and the Hungarians. It also spread throughout the Meditereanean and south central Europe. When the Europeans adopted the stirrup it resuted in war armor and tack making fighting a matter of class. -
Jan 1, 700
First saddles- 700 BC
After horses were domesticated 4500 BC the Assyrian calvery created the earliest known saddle that mainly consisted of pads, cruppers, a girth, and a breast strap. At that time saddles were seen as status symbols and were added with embellishments such as gold carvings and ornamentation that showed off an individuals status and power. Since there were no stirrups at the time riders were esentially riding bareback and kept their balance by holding on with their inner thighs. -
Period: to
The one stirrup used for mounting only- post 1st and 2nd century BC
After the Indians and their single toe stirrup, the Sarmatians developed a single stirrup made for mounting up only. -
Western Stirrup modern times
The western saddle has a heavier and allows for greater control and precision of the horse. Because the stirrups are heavier, the leathers holding the stirrups onto the saddle are wider by three to four inches. Thus longer stirrups were preferred for heavy calvary because it allows for more control and when they used their lances and heavy swords. Knights that were in heavy calvary would have preferred the western style of stirrup. -
Modern stirrups
Modern stirrups are made from a variety of materials such as wood, metal and synthetics. In ancient times before synthetics, stirrups would be made of mostly metals and wood. Also earlier designs are less supportative for the foot or more enclosed then the stirrups of today. Also the stirrups are safer due to the design to fall off if riders foot is hung up and a swivel feature so the stirrup faces the foot. -
English Stirrup modern times
The english saddle comes paired with llightweight thin stirrup straps that are only about an inch wide. Unlike western riders whose stirrups allow for greater control of the horse and a relaxed leg, the stirrups on an english saddle have the knees bent higher along the horses sides allowing for greater speed and a forward seat. Light Calvary knights would prefer this when speed and edurance was required -
Domesticated Horses - 4500 BC
Horses were domesticated approximately in 4500 B.C. however the stirrup wasn’t invented until later. Stirrups are used to aid in mounting and support while riding a horse and they greatly increased the rider's ability to stay in the saddle and control the horse, thus increasing the animal's usefulness to humans in warfare.
