When was the stirrup invented?

reedy

"It was invented at first as a single mounting stirrup only used in getting into the saddle; the first dependable representation of a rider with paired stirrups is in a Jin Dynasty (265-420) tomb of about 322." http://www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_madeinchina/2005-07/21/content_70825.htm Feb 18 11, 12:35 PM

Zbeckabee

The invention of the stirrup occurred relatively late in history, considering that horses were domesticated in approximately 4500 BC, and the earliest forms of the saddle—a simple blanket with light padding and a surcingle appeared about 800 BC. The earliest manifestation of the stirrup was a toe loop that held the big toe and was used in India, possibly as early as 500 BC. This ancient foot support consisted of a looped rope for the big toe which was at the bottom of a saddle made of fibre or leather. Such a configuration was suitable for the warm climate of south and central India where people used to ride horses barefoot. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stirrup#History Feb 18 11, 2:14 PM