Any benefits to using forward facing stirrups

[Zipzop]

I've seen the heather moffatt forward facing stirrups and icelandic ones.
What are the benfits?
Any benefits for joint/knee pain?

Does anyone use them? I've never actually seen them in real life just on google!

 

[ycbm]

I use them for fast work in company and jumping. If you lose a stirrup, they are so much easier to recover while you are cantering/galloping. They have saved me falling off out hunting several times. I don't use them for hacking or schooling.

They are a bit of a pain to run up.

 

[rachk89]

A pain to run up but useful. After I broke my knee I can't bend my right leg inwards to find a normal stirrup easily. I usually end up giving up and bending over to find it with my hand. Those ones I don't have to although I still struggle on occasion. Don't think it has helped the knee or ankle pain because they are flexi ones too so think that helped. Mine aren't the heather moffat ones just cheap ones.

 

[Wheels]

Love mine

I have the MDC ones which can be set to 3 different positions so can be run up same as any other stirrup and then twisted to 45 or 90 degrees depending on what you prefer

 

[Shady]

I got some cheapy Barefoot ones and i love them!! your foot sticks like glue and they have helped my arthritic knee, i also like to kick my feet out a lot when i'm hacking and i can find my stirrup instantly, i don't think i will ever go back to normal stirrups now

 

[DD265]

My understanding of the HM ones (I bought a pair, but they measure smaller than they are sold as and were too small for my size 7 slightly chunky boots!) is that it's the wide tread which is most beneficial because it helps to improve stability.

I bought a pair of Sprenger Bow Balance instead (next widest tread I could find) but have hardly ridden in them so can't comment unfortunately!

 

[Lanky Loll]

Bought a pair for my small (but they don't come small enough ironically) as thought they would be easier for him to keep his feet in than normal stirrups as he has short legs. However they are being used by mum who finds them easier for her dodgy knees and we are currently using them on a youngster who's just being backed as they remove the need to fiddle to get your foot in the stirrup so make getting on and sat much easier.