Australian Bent Leg Stirrup Irons - unsafe?

Jnhuk

Jnhuk

Well-Known Member
Joined
18 April 2010
Messages
2,526
Location
Midlothian/Borders
Visit site
Had heard recently that these stirrup irons are now viewed as being unsafe. I have had a pair for many years and especially used to XC them before I got my current cheese grater stirrups. However, my OH still uses them.

The reasoning behind them being unsafe is, that if you loose your stirrup and have to regain your stirrup but inadvertently put your foot back with the stirrup back to front the bent leg piece locks into your arch. I have been told there have been some incidents where folks have been getting their foot caught and dragged. :eek:

This is exactly what I got these stirrups to prevent!

What do folks advise instead?
 
I've never had that issue. However, my posh, forward facing slanty ones (that are generally supposed to be magical! :P) have a habit of twisting to face backwards... which doesn't work at all (because then they are effectively pointing your toe downwards!). Not sure why this happens though... I think my stirrup leathers have something against them! :eek:
 
Hm, I was given a pair of bent leg stirrups and I dont like using them I feel so unsafe in them. Im convinced my foot could go through in an accident and Id be dragged.

I see adults using peacock stirrups but they have a weight limit on them, Im not heavy but I wouldnt use them.

I feel safe enough in flexi stirrups or regular stirrups:)

eta, how about some barnes buckles if you can find some?
 
Last edited:
i got stuck once in the bent leg stirrups after coming off xc. As i fell to the side (and yes my stirrups were on the right side of the horse and correctly fitted) my foot turned and jammed in the bent leg curved part. Luckily my mare just stood still whilst i waiting for help but needless to say i have never used them since, i just use regular stirrups.
 
Mentioning getting dragged - I am amazed at the number of people I have seen that push their stirrups bars upwards so that the stirrup leather cannot come off by accident. I think its such a stupid thing to do as this will ENSURE that you get dragged.

When they do tack checks at competitions I think they should make stirrup bars a mandatory part of the safety check.
 
Ive only seen them second hand recently, since they stopped being available. I did see some this week somewhere, will try and think where.
 
I used to have these stirrup irons on my pony, and they would fall off my feet SJing if I had put my feet in rotated, meaning I had to ride the rest of the course without one stirrup.

Really couldn't figure out why I kept losing my left stirrup, until I looked at pictures and saw it rotated before it disappeared!
 
When I was riding work in Australia, I nearly got dragged twice using those stirrups! I was going a good half pace, the horse slammed on and whipped round and I had one foot caught in the stirrup and was stood on the other foot. Just managed to free my foot before the horse took off! That happened again on the same horse. Very frightening and I have hated those stirrups ever since!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top