Stirrup is a ring with a flat bottom fixed on a leather strap, usually hung from each side of a saddle by adjustable strap to create a footrest for a person using a riding an animal, usually used for the horse. It is used as a support for the foot of a rider when seated in the saddle and as an aid in mounting. It is greatly increases the rider's ability to stay in the saddle and control the mount, increasing the horses usefulness in communication, transportation and warfare. It is very important that the stirrup is in the correct position because if the stirrup that is too narrow will increase the chance that the rider will be fall. If the stirrup is too-wide, it makes harder for a rider to keep it under the foot and presents some risk that the foot might slip all the way through. The most suggested position of the stirrup is no more than 1 inch larger than the widest part of the sole of the riders boots.
