Fillis irons?

[Floxie]

I used to ride with fillis irons - I can't remember why now, possibly just because I liked them But I can't now find any information about their purpose and why you would use them. I was just wondering if the weight would help me keep them on my feet a bit better (as WELL as heels down obviously) Is that the point? Only I'm sure I saw them mentioned here in the context of not being very safe - might be making that up, though!

So, what's the idea?

 

[Moomin1]

They won't really help you keep your feet in your stirrups better, but they are designed to enable the rider to get the stirrup back easier if they loose it. They are weighted at the bottom so don't move about quite as much when lost.

Lots of work without stirrups in trot will help you get a deeper seat and a more stable leg position in the long run, which will help.

 

[Floxie]

I did wonder that as I was writing it, then realised I was wittering and just shut up Is that the point of them, then? That seems to make sense.

I'm not looking for gadgets to fix my seat, I was just curious if they had a proper purpose, cos I know I used to prefer them and wondered if it was justified!

Certainly do need to keep my heels down though, they creep up - my childhood instructor would be mortified. HEELS DOWN!