Before the stirrup, riders had to use their legs to maintain balance and could easily be thrown from their horses. The stirrup allowed riders to use their feet to support themselves, giving them a much more secure grip and enabling them to:
* Stand in the stirrups: This allowed knights to use their weight to control the horse, giving them more leverage for wielding weapons and fighting.
* Fight more effectively: The stirrup gave knights greater stability and control, allowing them to use lances and swords more effectively in battle.
* Ride for longer periods: The stirrup reduced the fatigue of riding, allowing knights to cover longer distances and stay in the saddle for extended periods.
The stirrup revolutionized warfare and contributed significantly to the rise of cavalry in medieval Europe.