Average ladies' stirrup size, and am I being a big baby?

[Annagain]

Perfection! I wish I had the quick wit for responses like this. ☺️

I can think up loads sitting here behind my keyboard. Whether that would have come out fast enough in reality I can't be sure. I normally think these things up 30 seconds later than I need them

 

[Tnavas]

Just remember people that Riding Clubs have insurance that is part of the organisations Clubs main body - membership gives you insurance during the clubs activities. If the rules stae (as they do for PC that stirrups must be a safe width then as an organiser she is obligated to point out anything unsafe. If nothing had been said and an accident had happened then the Club would not be covered by their insurance and liable.

Unfortunately she might have been a little more respectful and taken you to one side.

 

[Kezzabell2]

I literally have no idea what size my stirrups are :/ they are the mountain horse safety irons, someone was selling them as they had 2 sets from a photo shoot, so i just took them as I wanted safety irons!! they are big, they are probably too big to be fair but I don't have any issues with them! and I'm a size 5.

sounds like she was just trying to show that she was the boss in front of everyone else, still mare! Maybe next time ride over to her and ask her to put her giant thumbs in your irons

 

[Enfys]

Unfortunately she might have been a little more respectful and taken you to one side.

That seems to be the main rant, the lack of tact, rather than the content.

I understand the insurance thing, but there is a thin line between doing a tack check for adults and assuming they are responsible enough to go without one.

I would be truly irritated if someone came up to me and criticised my tack, or checked it as I was in the habit of doing at a PC event (rallies etc, where it was routine and part and parcel of PC, we combined tack checks with an ongoing tack and turnout points system )

I have never belonged to any adult Club where tack inspections were made, in the Club R&R there was always a section stating tack and turnout should be in good working condition, fitted and appropriate to the horse and rider. Saying that, I don't have a problem with total strangers tucking straps into keepers, saying something is twisted, or offering to do my cinch up a bit more, we all do that unconsciously don't we no insult intended or taken.

 

[Araboo27]

Maybe next time ride over to her and ask her to put her giant thumbs in your irons

This made me laugh!!!

 

[OldNag]

Maybe send her a link to this thread?!

Seriously, she sounds a bit power-crazed and maybe lacking in people skills. It sounds as if you have a good safety gap.

 

[sarahann1]

I have big banana feet, size 8s, no idea what size my stirrups are, I have no idea if they are 'ladies' or 'men's' they fit my big feet, that'll do me

 

[saltpetres]

Maybe next time ride over to her and ask her to put her giant thumbs in your irons

this is a truly beautiful sentence, and I thank you for it sincerely

I would be speechless with fury. What an insensitive, bad-mannered and over-bearing jobsworth that Secretary is, sometimes a little (and I mean little, she's a pen-pusher) power gives people the impression that they are great God Almighty :/ Grrrrrrrrr.
I would have sidled up to the Group Leader and had a little word about how embarrassed I was by the Secretary.
I would change the appearance of my stirrups (I paint mine black anyway) for my next outing, certainly not changed them unless you really feel they are too small.

I was PC Secretary for many years (so I know about the pen pushing ) also Instructor (hence responsible for tack checks) I would never have dreamed of saying such a thing out loud in front of an audience, tact is everything.

It did sort of ruin my day a bit! I honestly believe they're a good size, but I'm still teetering on the edge of just getting bigger ones anyway because I don't want to rock the boat and I don't want to be known as a brat. I also don't want to be a doormat, but sometimes those sorts of people can really ruin things for you if you make a fuss. I don't knooooowwww, people are confusing??

I'd have said, something along the lines of "Thankyou for calling me young, it's been a while since that happened, but contrary to appearance I am an adult and can make my own decisions, and I'm happy my stirrups are plenty big enough." -all in a very breezy, jokey tone. Hopefully she'd have got the message without it causing too much of a stir!

I think this is what I'll do next time - I was a bit shocked when it happened and just sort of went "oh...okay...thanks" ...not sure why I thanked her for being rude, but I'll be prepared next time! Plus it was kind of funny her treating me like a kid, I'm 24, so definitely not a baby (although I guess I must look young, because people still ask me when I'm finishing school )

thanks to all of you though, I really feel much more confident that I wasn't somehow doing something idiotic

 

[FfionWinnie]

Op I can pretty much guarantee if you stand up to her she will leave you alone. If you start changing things on her whims, she will keep bullying you.

As already said by a few folk. Make sure everything is definitely correct. Have someone else look in person (someone who knows what they are doing) and if you are sure all is ok, don't change them.

Maybe you ride with your foot to the outside which gives the impression they aren't big enough. If that's the case bigger ones won't help anyway. She should have had a proper close up look and told you quietly.

 

[Tnavas]

Best thing to do is to measure across the widest part of the sole of your boot and the inside of the stirrup iron and see what the difference is. Then go from there.

I know I have a hard time finding stirrups as I have wide feet so always have to have mine specially ordered.