Best stirrups for foot injuries

[Izzwall]

I'm hoping to have the all clear to ride again this week ? after fracturing my midfoot with a lisfranc ligament tear. My current stirrups are 10 years old which I picked up second hand, just normal bog standard ones. I'm thinking I'm probably going to need some more supportive ones, especially as most of my pain is the midfoot region and ball of foot. I'm most likely going to have a weakness there now. Before injury I regularly got pins and needles in both feet so was ooing and ahhing already at the fancy ones. Heard the flex ons are good but not for my bank balance ? or the acavallo operas. Any suggestions?

 

[asmp]

I have the Acavallo Alupro, which I think are great (I did look at the Operas but liked the safety aspect of the Alupro.

If you do want Flex-on there is 20% off on Countryandstable.co.uk today.

 

[McFluff]

I’ve got flex-on. Had a two week trial, which is a good way to test if they will make a difference to you or not. Expensive, but great quality and for me, worth it. I had to use my old ones when I sent the trial pair back to get a new pair and really noticed the difference. My old ones felt flat and unforgiving. Surprising, as I was only changing as my old ones marked everything, and it was driving me mad, so I was more interested in the fact they were composite than any enhanced comfort.
good luck in finding something, your injury sounds ouchy.

 

[chaps89]

I’m sceptical of fancy stirrups after always getting on fine with my standard safety bent irons for years, and really really not getting on with a share horses sprengers.
But I’m a bit of a convert after riding another horse who was swapped to the Acavello arena alu pro and I really like riding in them. Not cheap mind you!

 

[millikins]

I've recently broken a small bone in my foot and riding was incredibly painful. I already have the flexi stirrups and they didn't help, surprisingly the cheap plastic ones were better.

 

[MuddyMonster]

I've got Raddery stirrups & really rate them, although they wouldn't be to everyone's tastes admittedly.

 

[spotty_pony]

I’ve got the rubber ones that rotate when you put your foot in them. Not sure on the make, but they helped when I injured my Achilles tendon.

 

[J&S]

I got some really rather big and unattractive ones for doing EGB rides, they had a wide foot base and were light weight. They made long distance riding far more comfortable and much less pressure on soles of my feet plus a bit of protection on each side. They came from Ebay and were very cheap.

 

[Kaylum]

Also look at the wider stirrup leathers. They give more stability.

 

[Desert_rider]

Get some toe cages, they are a game changer.

 

[jenni999]

Whatever you buy, DO NOT go for Freejump Air stirrups. They are truly awful and plastic parts break regularly. £180 down the drain as Freejump aren't interested in refunding.

 

[Izzwall]

Whatever you buy, DO NOT go for Freejump Air stirrups. They are truly awful and plastic parts break regularly. £180 down the drain as Freejump aren't interested in refunding.

I've never been interested in the freejumps due to mixed reviews and breakages. Would be even more dodgy trying to bring back into work 2 fresh horses and a having a dodgy foot and now leg as I've lost so much muscle in my calf and thigh!

 

[sbloom]

Do also look into foot health and foot strengthening exercises such as from Gait Happens and other specialists, barefoot shoes MIGHT be your friend (and saviour!), but not something to leap into for anyone, let alone with a serious injury.

My preferred types of stirrups are those with a wider footbed and a 90 degree slot in the top.

 

[Izzwall]

Do also look into foot health and foot strengthening exercises such as from Gait Happens and other specialists, barefoot shoes MIGHT be your friend (and saviour!), but not something to leap into for anyone, let alone with a serious injury.

My preferred types of stirrups are those with a wider footbed and a 90 degree slot in the top.

Barefoot shoes look interesting, maybe further down the rehab journey! Currently there is no bend in foot and tip toes for example is impossible due to pain/mechanically won't go in that position. So maybe something bendy like the flexons won't help? Wider foot bed sounds like it might work. Have had a look at everyone's suggestions though ? might be the case of ditching stirrups all together until there's more improvement in the foot bending mechanism?