Stirrup

Stirrups were a type of accessory for saddles, designed to help riders climb on to them and better control their mounts. They also enabled mounted combatants to put greater force behind their attacks and remain on their saddles when struck by forceful blows.
==Description==
Stirrups typically consisted of leather straps that were attached to each side of a saddle by a hook and several ties. These straps ended in a metal foot rest, either in the form of a ring or a pointed cup.
==Usage==
A stirrup was controlled with the foot. For example, Benelaius speculated that Kendra's big feet helped her hold her stirrups well and ride better.
If a rider fell from the saddle, they risked getting their foot caught in a stirrup and being dragged on the ground or even beneath their mount, so they would try to free their foot when they fell.
==Availability==
* In Athkatla, one could find stirrups for sale at the market Waukeen's Promenade.For Duty & Deity states that every nonmagical item featured in the Arms and Equipment Guide can be purchased at Waukeen's Promenade.
* In the hamlet of Longsaddle, Nalathar's Fine Stirrups & Spurs provided customers high-quality stirrups of a plain design for a single silver piece each.
* In Zhentil Keep, one could find stirrups for sale at Lita's Equipment.Ruins of Zhentil Keep states that everything from the Arms and Equipment Guide, except for arms and armor, can be purchased at Lita's Equipment.
==History==
Stirrups were not invented on Toril until after the fall of the Netherese Empire. The eventual introduction of the stirrup allowed the polearms known as lances to become prevalent weaponry for those on mounts. It was considered nearly impossible for a mounted fighter to charge effectively with a leveled lance without them.
The eventual introduction of both the saddle and stirrup in the land of Zakhara caused the vehicles known as chariots to gradually fall out of widespread use.
==Notable Users of Stirrups==
* Stirrups were considered essential for the sport of jousting.
===Businesses===
* Norge Greenback's Horses kept a lot of stirrups in storage for handling their horses.
===Regions & Settlements===
* Stirrups were utilized by horseman in the Hordelands.
* Stirrups were utilized in the land of Zakhara.
==Trivia==
The war god Tempus was said to most often, prior to battles, manifest as a warrior riding with a foot in the stirrup of two separate horses. Symbolizing the chaotic nature of warfare.
==Appendix==
===Background===
In our own history, the Dark Ages were marked by the invention of the stirrup.
===Notes===
===Gallery===
RidingLizardBarding.png|Stirrups hang from the saddle of a riding lizard decked out in barding.
Scyllua Darkhope - Mark Zug.jpg|Scyllua Darkhope rides her nightmare into battle with stirrups.
Rhinoceros-WarBeast-3e.jpg|An orc rides with stirrups atop a rhinoceros warbeast decked out in partial scale barding.
VajraHighjackingAHorse.png|A slaver's foot holds on to its stirrup as Vajra Valmeyjar tries to hijack his horse.
Crinti horse theft.png|A crinti horse thief holds on to her stirrups.
===Appearances===
:;Novels
::Murder in Cormyr • Tymora's Luck • The Council of Blades
===External Links===
* 
===References===
Category:Tack
Category:Items from Athkatla
Category:Items from Amn
Category:Items from the Lands of Intrigue
Category:Items from Faerûn
Category:Items from the Hordelands
Category:Items from Toril
Category:Items from Zakhara
Category:Items from the Moonsea
Category:Items from Zhentil Keep
Category:Items from Longsaddle