Unit Addiction

[The_Blacksmith]

It's a bit of a modern myth that you need stirrups to mount an effective charge, a saddle with a high back was the real requirement. Stirrups improved stability some what, but their real strength was that they allowed to user to stand up in the saddle, which is very useful in melee or for throwing javelins.

Regarding the OP: Thracian Peltasts and Bosporan Archers are usually pretty high on my "to get" list.

I ride horses myself and yes, i have tried riding with a lance, and its hard as hell without stirups but yeah, you're right, a seated sattle would help a great deal or leg armor, to pausible make you heavier and make you more stable is a choice too.. how ever, many medium and light cav rides with a pony sattle (a canvis or leather sattle, strapped to the horse for tight and butt padding)

* some cav like numedian cav rides without anything which im a big admirer off... the first 5-6 years riding as much as they do must make a hell of a sore butt