Advice Please - Quick Release Safety Stirrups

Peacocks are OK for little kids, but no good for people over 9 (?) stone. Freejumps are based on the same idea but do ones that can be used by adults. Mountain Horse also do some. Some people really rate Barnes Buckles.

It depends on who you need them for, what they'll be doing, and your budget mostly :).
 
Another vote for the bow bent sprengers - the straight ones are not better than a normal stirrup in this respect. Also the older style Australian bent leg irons - but the latter are heavy if you are then also clocked on the head with one. I'm not a fan of peacocks. They are only safe for children anyway - but in my experience you spend far to much time putting the elasticated rings back on!
 
I have freejumps, expensive but worth it as i don't have the fear of getting my foot stuck. I haven't fallen off with them (yet, fingers crossed) but I've never heard of anyone being dragged in them. They're nice and light, and they're very grippy so my feet have never slipped in them/ I've never lost a stirrup. I don't like peacocks or bent leg irons, I've seen people dragged in both. Mountain horse are also good but very very heavy.
I think your choice really depends on what you're doing, who they're for and how much you're killing to spend :)
 
I have some Kwik out stirrups on mine, which I like and have had no problems with. Don't know if they still make them.
 
DirectorFury said:
Peacocks are OK for little kids, but no good for people over 9 (?) stone. Freejumps are based on the same idea but do ones that can be used by adults. Mountain Horse also do some. Some people really rate Barnes Buckles.

It depends on who you need them for, what they'll be doing, and your budget mostly :).
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Why are they no good for people over 9 stone?
 
littletrotter said:
Also wondering this - the RS i ride at uses them on every saddle without exception.
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webble said:
Why are they no good for people over 9 stone?
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I was under the impression that there was a 9 stone weight limit - it's something I've heard a few times. A bit of googling however only throws up forum discussions, and no official advice, so it might just be an old wives tale :). I think it's relating to the metal hook that holds the elastic band snapping as the metal there is quite thin.
One forum post about it: http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?321389-Weight-limit-for-Peacock-stirrup-irons

I'll look further and see if I can find any official advice, sorry to have worried people! And if anyone knows a manufacturer who says otherwise please say and correct me :).
 
I used to work for a manufacturer who recommended under 8·5 stone for their peacock stirrups. This is because they can bend as they aren't a solid shape and your weight is only being held by one metal side plus an elastic band. So the tread can bend downwards away from the metal side.
 
I've always found that riding in peacocks as an adult (a fair bit over 9 stone) I feel a bit like they are flexing under my feet. Its not comfy to ride like that, and I do worry that I'm not far off them just snapping.
 
I have Smartrider breakaway stirrups. They're very comfy as deeper than normal stirrups but I haven't had cause to test their effectiveness yet ( fortunately).
 
I'm over 9 stone and get on with adult width peacocks! I will be on the hunt for some flashier ones when I get my new saddle (and extra finances!) but only because of fashion and reputation- I've not had any issues and have probably been riding in them over 9 stone 6 or 7 years now.
 
I stopped using peacock irons some years ago after my friend showed me hers which had bent (stretched?). If you imagine what they would do if you put a really heavy weight on the outside edge - that's what they looked like. i checked mine and found that one of mine had done the same. I'm afraid they got chucked straight away as I was afraid they would be weakened. I only weigh 8 stone and they were adult peacock irons.
To be fair that was about 8 years ago but I don't know whether they would have changed at all now.
 
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