every item should be usable by anyone, but with great penalties.
I say get rid of riding, shield skill, pd, throwing, if and whatever, and introduce item proficiency.
Suggestion 1)
requirements for items will than only be strength, and every item will have a proficiency level, from what point on its stats work 100%. Having more or less itemprof. will accordingly nerf or buff these stats.
This, of course, needs way too much balancing and probably cant be implemented.
So my second suggestion (2) is to keep everything as it is, however let everyone use any item, but when not meeting the skill req., having huge stat nerfs.
0 shieldskill with 6 skill shield= one can hold it, but it has only 5 speed or so.
vote is up, you have two votes, yes and no concerning both suggestions.