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Technology

Riding

Bare back riding is very uncomfortalbe for both the rider and the horse - delicate spine protrudes.

Blankets

Alexander depicted in Roman mosaic was riding on a blanket; no stirrups; no belt under the horse to hold the blanket in place.
Horses needed to be gripped with thighs. Alexandrian Greek horse riding manual : “Riding a horse is like standing upright on your thighs”. This while galloping at 20 kms per hour and weilding bows and lances, controlling the horse with the bridle.
Can’t use a buckle - the blanket would keep rotating.

Saddles

First around 100BCE. Slowly spread.
Superior weight distribution.
Relief for the spine - so gap or rise in the middle is critical.
Precise fit required for best effect.
Increased weight bearing capacity.
Could now use a buckle - to keep saddle in place.

Stirrups

Seen in sanchi 200 BCE.
No longer holding on to the horse with thighs.
Another way to control the horse (+ can add spurs).
better weight distribution for horse.
By 600 AD seen from Central Asia to Europe. By 700 AD, seen in Iran as well.