Just a bit of trivia, Lee:
Stirrups were not used in Europe or the Middle East until the Huns invaded the late Roman Empire, around 450A.D. Stirrups are a Far Eastern invention.
Oh really. I thought the Mongols had their feet tucked into something to keep from falling off their horse. Maybe it was just an open knot or loose noose. Sometimes, our sense of order makes us think something should be there subconciously, so we actually imagine it IS there.
Still loved the movie-- I guess the director probably couldn't find riders ready to ride with those costumes without stirrups.
The Roman cavalry used to perform incredibly elaborate riding exercises while wearing gold and silver plated masked helmets with ribbons (and no stirrups).
Probably would strike us as a mix of the Lipizzaner stallions, Jason and the Argonauts, and La Cage aux Folles.