Trail riding stirrups are rather recent inventions brought about because of the desire for comfort. In general they have broader foot plates with some type of padding that will absorb shock. This reduces the stress on the hip, knee ankle and the ball of the foot. They can be made of stainless steel, aluminum or plastic and have been adopted in both English and Western styles. There has also been other inventions such as the Knee EEZ which is attached to bar of a western Stirrup and will act as a shock absorber also reducing shock to the hip, knee and ankle.