Stirrups

choi

本文通过一路BBS站telnet客户端发布

stirrup
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stirrup

Quote:

"The use of paired stirrups is credited to the Chinese Jin Dynasty 晉朝 and came to Europe during the Middle Ages. Some argue that the stirrup was one of the basic tools used to create and spread modern civilization, possibly as important as the wheel or printing press.

"As a tool allowing expanded use of horses in warfare, the stirrup is often called the third revolutionary step in equipment, after the chariot and the saddle. The basic tactics of mounted warfare were significantly altered by the stirrup. A rider supported by stirrups was less likely to fall off while fighting, and could deliver a blow with a weapon that more fully employed the weight and momentum of horse and rider. Among other advantages, stirrups provided greater balance and support to the rider, which allowed the knight to use a sword more efficiently without falling, especially against infantry adversaries.

"The invention of the stirrup occurred relatively late in history, considering that horses were domesticated in approximately 4500 BC [in present-day Ukraine], and the earliest forms of the saddle—a simple blanket with light padding and a surcingle appeared about 800 BC.

"The earliest manifestation of the stirrup was a toe loop that held the big toe and was used in India, possibly as early as 500 BC.

"The first dependable representation of a rider with paired stirrups was found in China in a Jin Dynasty tomb of about AD 322. The stirrup appeared to be in widespread use across China by AD 477.

Note:
(a) domestication of the horse
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domestication_of_the_horse
(Horse "bones first appeared in multiple sites and in significant numbers in sites of the Qijia and Siba [at 四欛] cultures, 2000-1600 BCE, in Gansu and the northwestern provinces of China. The Qijia culture [at 齊家坪] was in contact with cultures of the Eurasian steppes, as shown through similarities between Qijia and Late Bronze Age steppe metallurgy, so it was probably through these contacts that domesticated horses first became frequent in northwestern China")

(b) The Wiki page states, "Buddhist carvings in the temples of Sanchi, Mathura and the Bhaja caves dating back between the 1st and 2nd century BC figure horsemen riding with elaborate saddles with feet slipped under girths. In this regard Sir John Marshall described the Sanchi relief as "the earliest example by some five centuries of the use of stirrups in any part of the world".

See photos 1 and 4 in
http://forums.bharat-rakshak.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3788&start=560
(c) Also in this Wiki page, a photo has the following caption: "Depiction of a Kushan divinity using an early platform-style stirrup, circa AD 150. British Museum."

Kushan Empire
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kushan_Empire

(d) This Wiki page repeatedly talks about "treed saddle" and "saddle tree." What is the latter?

(i) Your ""Oh No!" Moments ...  Horse Junkies United, July 10, 2011.
http://horsejunkiesunited.com/2011/07/your-oh-no-moments/
(graphic)
(ii) It takes seven years for a forse to reach adulthood and stop growing. So saddle (with its saddle tree) has to change size in that growth peiord. Besides, horses are all different in size. Thus each horse must fit manually with a saddle at different age, up to 7. It is not one-size-for-all.
(iii) Introduction. Joёlle Steyt Veterinary Physiotherapy, undated.
http://www.equiphys.com/en-GB/saddle-fitting.php
("Saddle tree too narrow for the horse:   The saddle tree point should be parallel behind the scapula, transferring an even pressure on the bearing area. If the tree is too narrow it can cause pinching behind the scapulae that can lead to a short, choppy stride with the front legs. (This picture shows a narrow tree)")


--