The stirrup..

[ironglow]

  The stirrup, a common part of a horseman's life today, and believed to have been developed in the far east in
   about 4,000 BC.
  It would be hard to imagine how this hit the tribal worlds when the warring tribes first came to grips with this
  "world shaking" invention !  Surely, this must have truly shaken the world of the primitive tribes fringing the Gobi Desert !

  More recently, many historians agree that the Comanche were the "greatest light cavalry of their time".

  Yet, if I am to take some of the western painters seriously, these warriors gained that reputation without benefit
  of either the stirrup or dual reins.

    When did the adopt the stirrup etc, did the have the whole equipment at the battle of Adobe Walls?

  Does somebody here have a better handle on the subject than I do? Maybe some corrections?

[Casull]

Not sure when/if they used stirrups.  But, they didn't even have horses until the 1500's.

[Dee]

I live about 15 miles from the Adobe Walls battle site. And are you talking about the 1st, or 2nd battle?

Here are two Comanche warrior saddles used during that time period. As far as reins. I've rode horses without a saddle, with nuthin more than a piece of binder twine, or a lead rope.

Horses used for transportation don't necessarily need all the equipment developed for work, or war. The  stirrup
Is one of those optional additions.
The  Comanche grew up riding after they acquired the horse. Before, and after the horse came, even the Apache feared  the Comanche.

[ironglow]

Thanks for the info Dee!   I guess I know there were two battles, but you will have to fill me in on t e details.

Was it trappers vs Comanche first, or Rangers vs Comanche first?

  Was it at Adobe Walls, where the Colt Walker first showed up in the area ?

 That is an interesting photo..is that a Comanche saddle, made from a tree root?

[Dee]

I honestly don't remember, there are historical markers around. But the 1st battle was with the United States Army, and the 2nd battle with 28  Buffalo hunters.

Weren't any Rangers.

[ironglow]

  OK ..glad you set that straight. There are some remnants of the walls left aren't there?

[Dee]

Not much