The word 'stirrup' stems from the old English word stirap or stigrap or Middle English words stirop or styrope meaning mounting or climbing rope.
The development of saddlery, in most cases, has been for the comfort of the rider and control of the animal. Blankets have been placed across a horse's back for millennia, but the earliest saddle, albeit little more than a blanket with additional padding, was in use around 800 BC. The first stirrup didn't appear for another 300 years.
Discovery of the Earliest Stirrup
The first stirrup was little more than a looped rope attached to a blanket through which the big toe was inserted. Archaeologists have uncovered a drawing depicting a rider sitting on a saddle with 2 distinct stirrups from a tomb from the Jin Dynasty dating back to 322 AD.
A single stirrup used to aid mounting was in use by the Sarmatians. These were a nomadic people who originated in Iran before migrating to the Ural Mountains, finally settling in Russia and the Balkans during the 6th-4th Century BC. Sarmatians were renowned for their horsemanship and eventually went on to form a cavalry of horsemen who also developed the use of the spur as well as the stirrup.
It wasn't until a solid tree saddle was developed around 200 BC that stirrups resembling those in use today could be used. The saddle tree distributes the weight of the rider more evenly across the back of the horse. If stirrups were used without a saddle tree the weight of the rider would be localised in specific areas when the foot was placed in the stirrup; this would eventually lead to pressure sores on the animal's back.
Excavations of graves of wealthy warriors dating back to the Swedish Vendal age 500-800 AD have unearthed saddlery including stirrups and saddle ornaments encrusted with gemstones.
The Abumi or Japanese stirrup, from the Edo period (1603-1868) had a distinctive shape. They were swan-like, curving up and backward at the front of the stirrup, bringing the loop for the leather over the instep to create the correct balance for the rider.
Positioning the Stirrup on the Saddle
Stirrups cannot be attached to the body of the saddle as this would restrict the movement of the rider's leg so they must be attached in such a way that the rider retains free movement. Usually stirrups are attached to the saddle tree by stirrup leathers via a small steel bar either embedded in the tree or attached directly to the bars of the tree. Stirrup leathers must be adjustable to accommodate the different heights and leg lengths of the rider.
Modern stirrups are made of a variety of materials, usually metal but can be made of wood or synthetics. One of the biggest dangers to the rider is the possibility of getting his boot stuck in the stirrup if he is unseated, so modern stirrups are designed to detach from the saddle or easily release the foot if the rider falls.
Types of Stirrups
Variations of the stirrup include:
- The standard iron consisting of a tread with 2 branches and an eye at the top through which the leather passes.
- The bent leg stirrup, sometimes referred to as the safety stirrup is bent on the outer branch to aid easy release of the foot in the event of a fall.
- Safety or peacock stirrups have the outer branch made of a thick rubber band and leather loop which detaches when sufficient pressure releases the foot.
- The side saddle stirrups have a larger eye at the top to accommodate the thick stirrup leathers used on a side saddle
It is important that the stirrup is the correct width for the foot of the rider. If too narrow it could increase the chances of the foot being trapped in the event of a fall. Too wide and the boot could slip through, but this can be prevented by always wearing a boot with a heel to make the riding experience as safe as possible for the rider and as comfortable as possible for the horse.
Sources:
- Horse World annual by David Broome, Dorian Williams
- HorseSupply/Info/Stirrups in history
- Encyclopaedia Britannica
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