Roman Saddle Question

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With the Addition of Stirrups in the 5th century, would this have been easier at all? And how did the saddles change in comparison?

Just curious here.

Not really. Saddle shapes change but the horse doesn't. It is probably easier for a long backed horse (and mares) but it still puts a lot of pressure on the vertebrae at the back of the horse where the back muscles' structure is changing to account for the rear legs and haunches.

As a matter of interest, one of the symbols for the Knights Templar, Pegasus, is reputed to come from the idea that the "poor knights" could not afford more than one horse and often had to share. Two knights clad in their white surcoats are said to have resembled the two wings of the fabled horse. It must have been a very strong horse to carry two knights in mail and with weapons, but the Iberian breed types (my own preference for a standard Roman horse) are sturdy beasts! The parades in modern Spain still show ladies sitting aside on the quarters of these fabulous horses behind their caballeros.

Alanus: The higher backed saddles and straight cantles rather than horns wouldn't change the physical properties of the saddle much except perhaps making it even more uncomfortable for the unfortunate pillion.