Sub-Roman Britain (Cavalry etc)

[Robert Vermaat]

'Where's the discussion on "soft" stirrups? I can't see a use for them. You can't use them for mounting, they aren't going to help you brace in the saddle and if you fall off, they are likely to get tangled around your foot and leg so you get dragged.'
I would see the use of soft stirrups as being a way to rest your legs on long rides. Riding a horse with you legs daggling down the whole time is very tiring.

Hi Brent,
I was recently assured by someone who rides horses with soft stirrups that they indeed help to brace you in the saddle. He's also less convinced that stirrups add to the ability to slash downwards from the saddle. I can't vouch for either statement from personal experience though.

Maybe there are some tests around who can prodoce data for the added value for either soft or hard stirrups? My knowledge about them is so small that my statements can only amount to speculation.