The Stirrup is a metal or wood ring, sometimes covered with leather, attached to a strap which is fastened to the saddle to hold the foot of the rider. It is used to assist a person in mounting a horse, enabling the rider to sit steadily, and supporting part of the weight of the body. Derived from a Saxon word meaning "rope," the earliest stirrups appear to have been rope loops.

Photo by Bob Lemen. All rights reserved.