These enclosed stirrups are known in Spanish as "Estribos de caja" or "Box stirrups", they were developed for use in rough terrains and moutainous regions as protection against injury and cold.
This is an old and heavy example carved from a single piece of wood with a dark patina.
The outer surface is carved with quite primitive geometric decoration, some of which has worn smooth. The flattened toe of the stirrup is said to resemble a pig's snout or "trompa de chancho"
It has iron band around its centre which holds a suspension loop.
There is an old split in the wood behind the metal on one side
There is a small metal loop at the back of the tread which has been used to hang the stirrup from a wall
