A real eye opener - Fell off today and got foot stuck in stirrup!

[SuperCoblet]

Went to a jumping lesson today, we've been moved up a class which means bigger, scarier jumps.
He was going so well, then we put the double up to about 3' with one of those artificial brushes underneath. He jumped it before at about 2'6 fine. Came around the corner, jumped first, ran out at brush fence. Same 2nd time around. Third time around I gave him a tap behind my leg (was only a touch, he responds well to a stick) and he suddenly turned into zoomy pony and I thought 'great, he'll be going too fast to run out of a 1 strider'. Boy was I wrong! He ran out, then jumped the side pole instructor put up and threw me out the side door!

I got my foot stuck in the stirrup, I have no idea how, it was at the wrong angle to seem to get stuck but it did. Luckily I have long legs and he's short (yes, I am a pony squisher!)
He didn't go far thankfully, maybe a few metres tops. As I was falling it went in slow mo and I saw his feet coming at me, thinking 'oh sh** this in gonna hurt!' he kicked my elbow, which is now a bit sore but ok.
Anyway, I managed to stop him freaking out by talking to him (he's a nervous pony at the best of times and not used to someone falling off him) and instructor came over to release me!

I think he felt bad as I got back on and he jumped it like an angel

Anyway, my stirrups are plain normal stirrups, however today has been an eye opener and have just ordered some of those stirrups with the rubber down the sides and they flex, I hope theyre the right ones?!?!

I do have some pics of him behaving himself and jumping the jumps, I will post when I'm next on the PC!

 

[SuperCoblet]

Bump... Anyone?

 

[fidleyspromise]

It is scary when that happens but well done your pony for being brave enough to not freak out and for jumping it after that

Hope your elbows not too sore, and look forward to pictures.

 

[ausipaliboi]

OMG, that has to be my worst nightmare but thank god you managed to control the situation and were in a safe environment!!

I don't know about the stirrups as have never used anything but normal.

He must have gotten the shock of his life wondering why you were suddenly a trick rider!! Glad to hear you are both okay

 

[Natz88]

Glad your both ok, sounds like you had a lucky escape as could of been alot worse. Glad he was a good boy when he jumped it again & hope your not to sore tomorrow

 

[Marydoll]

Glad to hear youre both ok

 

[quirky]

Those stirrups you have bought have a weight limit, maybe worth checking.
For this reason, I got the ones with a bend on the outside.
It's massively scary getting trapped, I hope it never happens to me again .
ETS - 9 st weight limit according to a quick google search.

 

[Ollie's Mum]

I got a foot trapped in "bent leg" irons which I understood were a form of safety stirrup. My horse made to run out at a jump and then tried to jump the corner flag and the combination of sudden sideways jolt and cat jump threw me off. Apparently (as I was knocked out and don't remember) I was bounced on my head and then dragged. I was only free'd when the actual stirrup leather came off the saddle - my foot didn't come out.

I now ride in Peacock leathers with the rubber band as one side.

 

[SuperCoblet]

Quirky- they're the peacock ones with the 9st weight limit, I'll try and find you a link to the ones I boight

 

[AFlapjack]

Those stirrups you have bought have a weight limit, maybe worth checking.
For this reason, I got the ones with a bend on the outside.
It's massively scary getting trapped, I hope it never happens to me again .
ETS - 9 st weight limit according to a quick google search.

I think you're talking about peacock stirrups..
http://www.classequestrian.co.uk/me...7136e95/F/I/fillis_peacock_safety_stirrup.jpg

whereas I think OP meant flexi stirrups...
http://www.townfields.com/images/products/large/670.jpg


OP I have recently purchased some flexi stirrups as I used to ride in peacocks before finding out about their weight limit. Luckily (and touch wood) I haven't had to find out whether they will let my foot loose but as they bend I presume they will be better than the solid stirrups you had before.

 

[Ollie's Mum]

Do make sure that you have some space either side of your foot in the stirrup too - I think the recommendation is to allow another half inch wider than your foot.

 

[SuperCoblet]

Thanks ollies mum, I measured my boot at 4" across the ball of my foot so have ordered the 4.5".

My elbow is fine, I'm stiffening up now though!!

 

[Ollie's Mum]

My elbow is fine, I'm stiffening up now though!!

I know just how you feel - the day after my little jaunt I had to roll out of bed onto the floor to get up! A heat pad and Ibuprofen kept me going - hope you feel better soon

 

[rockysmum]

Scary isn't it, it happened to me many years ago. My mare came over on me on the road, she squashed the stirrup completely trapping my foot then got up and bolted. Luckily my leather came off after 2 strides or I would have been dead as she didn't stop for about a mile. They were the old nickel stirrups, I dont know if stainless steel would have done the same thing.

Since then I have always used safety stirrups and made sure the leathers came off easily. I have found dressage saddles are the hardest, the leathers are sunk in and take more to free them.

I use bent leg and peacock stirrups. I know the weight limit on the peacock is supposed to be 9St but I use them and I weigh a lot more than that.

 

[quirky]

Ah yes, I was confused.
How do the flexi stirrups prevent your foot getting trapped though?

I suffered whiplash when I got mine stuck, years later I am still suffering the consequences.
As somebody else mentioned, I also increased my stirrup width as well as opting for the bent side ones.

I have only fallen off once since and didn't get stuck, so all good
Hope your elbow recovers soon!

 

[Fox07]

I got my foot caught in reins last week and was dragged :/ luckily didnt do any serious damage, might of got my horse to think twice about broncking with me mind- not a bad thing :/

 

[xtanyax]

This happened to me once! I was riding my TB and the next thing I knew I fell off him, dont actually know how I managed it!, and I fell off on the left and my foot was stuck in the stirrup on the right side which resulted in me hanging down facing the ground! My foot finally released but I wacked my head badly and had bad concussion! Not good! x

 

[SuperCoblet]

I've had the bent ones before and find my feet come out too easily and the seem to twist and my feet just fall out!

I had a google before I bought them and they all say they twist and allows your foot to come out. Theyre also all named 'flexible safety stirrups'

And they look comfy and I don't have the best joints in the world

 

[Ollie's Mum]

Correct me if I'm wrong someone () but I think the weight limit for the Peacock irons is set because they're open at one side so over time could potentially open up more or maybe break seeing as they have pressure in them such as when you rise to the trot. Personally though I don't see that presenting as much of a risk as something that doesn't give way and traps your foot.

 

[pixiebee]

the flexi stirrups you are refering to are NOT safety stirrups by any means, thats why I no longer use them (unless you have the sprenger flexi/safety ones) the stirrups you are refering to actually are worse than standard stirrups in that the flexi ones flexi if you fall and can actually trap your foot in the stirrup, whereas the standard stirrups dont flex to trap your foot as much. The best stirrups are the peacock ones, the weight limit thing is rubbish, I know people that have used them for many years and that are well over 9 stone without issue. I believe the weight limit applied to the older stirrups way back when!!!!

 

[Ollie's Mum]

Plus the fact that they make Peacock irons up to the larger adult sizes must mean that they're more robust these days or surely they'd just make them for kids?

 

[JustMe22]

Can also try these ones:
http://www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk/Admin/Images/17700bee-9cc8-4ff8-9e30-96af0cd9b2f6.jpg

As to the peacock things - they only sell them for kids really where I'm from but I imagine they might pop off if you're too heavy (the elastics, that is) but then is that really a train smash?

Having said that, sister got dragged a few years ago and although we're still not entirely sure what happened, it seemed the peacock elastic got caught round her boot or something to that effect..she was dragged a good 200m and eventually got out because her boot came off (thank god for no chaps, ey?!). I suspect though, that this is very unusual, and it may not have been 100% accurate anyway because nobody's entirely sure what her foot got stuck in.

 

[Equilibrium Ireland]

OP glad you're ok. My biggest fear actually. I don't think about it but none the less there you go.

I have Peacock saftey irons. I won't use anything else. It's fair to say I've done more than most in riding horses as for a long time it was a daily job. People laugh at me especially when they went on my high end saddle. Don't care.

Terri

 

[Cheiro1]

Glad you are ok OP!! So scary!

I will be different....I have barnes buckles on my jumping saddle (couldnt get hold of any for my dressage ) they have saved my bacon on more than one occasion. not sold anymore though disappointingly!

 

[mtj]

Hope the soreness wears off soon.

I'm another one that only uses safety irons. Hit very hard ground from a bolting horse with sprenger iron around my foot. Hobbled away with very severe sprain, rather than assorted fractures.

Sprengers are flexible, so in my case reduced the injury, but I am not aware that they are designed to release/come apart. They are helpful trying to ride with a knackered ankle.

I also use the mountain horse safety irons. These are heavy, but do look good. This is my favourite iron now.

I always get my saddler to check the bar on the saddle, to ensure my leather will release if needed.

 

[hairycob]

I put toe cages on mine when my youngster went through a stage of bogging off last year. They may not be elegant, but as I was often hacking out on my own I wasn't taking any chances.

 

[sakura]

I have peacock stirrups (I'm way under the weight limit), I wouldn't ride my own horse without them. When my previous horse bolted, bronced and threw me the elastic gave way immediately and freed my foot. It was easy to put back on too which is always a bonus!

 

[Stroppy Mare]

Ah yes, I was confused.
How do the flexi stirrups prevent your foot getting trapped though?

They bend (get hold of a pair and you can really twist them into various shapes) really well and twist, I have a pair of normal sprengers (black rubber) and the bow balance ones and I can't remember the last time my foot got stuck. Also have a couple of other non-sprenger ones, and whilst they're not *as* flexible, they still are considerably more flexible than normal irons. In the event of a fall, they usually just tilt and release your foot, following your weight.

 

[ester]

I'm pretty sure by 11 stoneish mother has been riding in the same pair of peacock irons for 8 years. They seem to be doing ok

 

[Double_choc_lab]

I'm pretty sure by 11 stoneish mother has been riding in the same pair of peacock irons for 8 years. They seem to be doing ok

I could be that person - have ridden in them for years and can't see a problem. If the rubber breaks what's the problem - you put your foot on the bottom not the side!! Mine are very strong and adult sized so I think the 9 st thing is for older nickel types. Rather have a stirrup without a side than one with the top wedged on my foot.