Going back to basics - stirrups

[Sugar Plum]

For a number of years I have changed from 'old fashioned' metal stirrups with rubber foot pad firstly to Acavallo Opera stirrups then Tech Stirrups' Athena jump stirrups - both with 'cheese grater' foot pad believing that these would 'improve' my grip and riding style. Fast forward 5 years using these stirrups and I put the old fashioned stirrups back on to go showing. Imagine my shock when I felt my seat, control, style etc etc including the way my horse reacted to me, were heaps better than in the more expensive 'latest' style stirrups. Has anyone found this, even with other tack types? (I did lose my footing in one stirrup for a moment which I attribute to being used to the cheese grater improved grip)

 

[Skib]

I love my Sprenger stirrups which have a conventional stirrup shape and rubbers so one's boot doesnt get caught.
I dont want grip. My great fear is getting my boot caught in my stirrup in a fall which did happen to me long ago when my RS instructor's horse bucked and my pony followed suit. If I go to a RS riding lesson, I use their stirrups in the school but when hacking, I always take my own.
I have never lost a stirrup when riding, except obviously when I fall off, in which situation I deliberately free my feet from the stirrups by kicking them off as I fall.

 

[Mrs G]

I have some cheap as chips, basic, plastic stirrups. They turned out to be one of my best ever buys! I bought them when I was borrowing a saddle as I didn't want to mark it. To my surprise I found them so much better to ride in than the metal stirrups I'd been using before. I also prefer basic, no-grip jodhpurs/breeches. Ive tried the full seat grippy ones and I really don't like how they feel against the saddle and I'm so distracted I don't ride as well. I guess I'm a cheap, basic, no frills kind of gal!

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I don't like the cheese grater ones either.

 

[gallopingby]

I’ve looked at the Avacallo opera stirrups a few times but l started riding many years ago and still use some of my original basic stirrups although the rubber treads have been replaced. I’m pretty sure rubber treads are a recent invention, well maybe 50 ish years ago, Not sure if most of the new inventions are any better in many areas, other than for the pockets of the manufacturers? To digress a little l would be interested to know what people think of the new wider stirrup leathers?
Do they really help to stabilise the lower leg or is it more a question of spending money so they must be better?

 

[maya2008]

I prefer different stirrups on different ponies. My little NF feels better in standard steel stirrups, but the cob cross (with a much bouncier gait) feels better in Acavallo Alupro. Kids mix and match based on the pony, but I generally prefer peacocks if there’s any risk. Acavallo stirrups have always released after a second or two, but peacocks release on the way down. We all much prefer the Acavallos for jumping though, as it is easier to get the heel down and keep it there.

 

[Lois Lame]

For a number of years I have changed from 'old fashioned' metal stirrups with rubber foot pad firstly to Acavallo Opera stirrups then Tech Stirrups' Athena jump stirrups - both with 'cheese grater' foot pad believing that these would 'improve' my grip and riding style. Fast forward 5 years using these stirrups and I put the old fashioned stirrups back on to go showing. Imagine my shock when I felt my seat, control, style etc etc including the way my horse reacted to me, were heaps better than in the more expensive 'latest' style stirrups. Has anyone found this, even with other tack types? (I did lose my footing in one stirrup for a moment which I attribute to being used to the cheese grater improved grip)

I don't like the stirrups that have the white grip. The stirrup itself is thicker in its base; it feels thicker too; my feet felt as though on a platform. I long ago stopped using those stirrups.

 

[pistolpete]

I used to love my cage ones. Super comfy.

 

[dorsetladette]

I have some cheap as chips, basic, plastic stirrups. They turned out to be one of my best ever buys! I bought them when I was borrowing a saddle as I didn't want to mark it. To my surprise I found them so much better to ride in than the metal stirrups I'd been using before. I also prefer basic, no-grip jodhpurs/breeches. Ive tried the full seat grippy ones and I really don't like how they feel against the saddle and I'm so distracted I don't ride as well. I guess I'm a cheap, basic, no frills kind of gal!

The plastic ones are my go to stirrups too. I spent a fortune on different stirrups to help my daughters leg and foot position as she said she felt she had to hold the stirrup in place (odd but what can I say) the cheap light weight plastic ones meant there was no weight to she had to push her weight into them to feel secure and not loose them. Perfect lower leg position!

I rode in them as they were on Bert's saddle and didn't think I'd like them but I did, so I've kept them.

I currently ride in a pair of cheap peacock stirrups for a bit more safety as I'm currently riding a very green 4 yr old.

I'm also not a fan of grippy jods either - I'm a no frills gal too!

 

[Fransurrey]

Yes! I had fancy stirrups for years (well, fancy for me...). I did a Horseman's Sunday event, so dressed as for showing and put old stirrups on. The event was May and I still haven't taken them off!

 

[Landcruiser]

I’ve looked at the Avacallo opera stirrups a few times but l started riding many years ago and still use some of my original basic stirrups although the rubber treads have been replaced. I’m pretty sure rubber treads are a recent invention, well maybe 50 ish years ago, Not sure if most of the new inventions are any better in many areas, other than for the pockets of the manufacturers? To digress a little l would be interested to know what people think of the new wider stirrup leathers?
Do they really help to stabilise the lower leg or is it more a question of spending money so they must be better?

I'm pretty new to all this because I've always ridden western, but have switched to english with my youngster so that I can jump in TREC but more importantly because I'm getting older and more arthritic, and lugging a western saddle around has lost its appeal.
Anyway, I digress. I bought a set of wide stirrup leathers to take on a trecking holiday in Crete a few years ago, because I was then exclusively western and the ponies were in Wintec GP saddles. I was afraid of leg pinches and swinging stirrup leathers after western fenders. I found them very good. No pinches at all, and my legs were stable - I suspect more so than they would have been. Unfortunately they are too bulky under my youngster's Strada saddle flaps and I've switched to Bates T bars (which are lovely).

I also dithered over the Acavallo Opera stirrups, originally using a set of old plastic stirrups with a nice broad tread on a TCS to ride my youngster away. I decided to bite the bullet and bought a set. Pros and cons below:
Pro. They look stylish, they hang ready for your foot to just go straight in, and the tread holds your foot in place.
Cons. They are quite small/snug, including the hole for the leather. It was a bit of a struggle getting the "loop" end of my T bar leathers through. The cheesegrater seems to have mellowednow but the first time dismounting my foot stuck leaving me hopping and a bit panicked, but perhaps I hadn't kicked both feet free prior to dismount (used to stepping down with foot still in western stirrup ). I don't think your foot could go through them though, they are too small. Anyway, I haven't found the cheesegrater an issue since. Also a con - there isn't a cage option for them as far as I can ascertain. Their design means most/all after market cages won't fit.
Conclusion - On the whole I like them, and am sticking with them for now, but I'd really like a cage stirrup and if I come across a nice one I might change. .

 

[MuddyMonster]

I can't ride in traditional, non shock absorbing stirrups as it hurts me knees and ankles too much.

I do a lot of long hacks though so do spend a lot of time either trotting or light seat.

I've recently bought Le Mieux safety stirrups and they are so, so comfortable. I thought the cheese grater would annoy me but I don't notice it after a few seconds.

 

[Skib]

I currently ride in a pair of cheap peacock stirrups for a bit more safety as I'm currently riding a very green 4 yr old.

Peacock stirrups are designed for kids and one shouldnt ride in them if one weighs more than 9 stone 7. The metal may snap. As an adult beginner weighing 9 stone 4 I did hack in them from time to time but I never liked them and in the end bought my own stirrups.

 

[dorsetladette]

Peacock stirrups are designed for kids and one shouldnt ride in them if one weighs more than 9 stone 7. The metal may snap. As an adult beginner weighing 9 stone 4 I did hack in them from time to time but I never liked them and in the end bought my own stirrups.

IMHO - I think that is an out of date view. Stirrups used to be made out of nickel which is a softer metal than steel, hence the possibility of them bending over time. You can buy peacock stirrups for adults these days.

For reference - my 4 yr old is only 12.3hh and I weigh less than the recommended weight you mention (I wouldn't be able to ride my pony if I weighed more). My stirrups are kids size as I have little feet too.