how to gusstimate the right stirrup lenght

[gwniver]

i am in that habit of riding with stirrups way two long , making me sit to far back on the cantle and causing my horse to take mincing steps and nap in the school , so as above really

 

[NiceChristmasBaubles]

I was always taught that you hold the stirrup to your armpit and adjust the leathers so that they are the same length as your arms. Not sure if that makes any sense, but I know what I mean.

 

[FestiveFuzz]

I always pull the stirrup out along the length of my arm and re-adjust until the stirrup sits by my armpit. Hope that makes sense?!

 

[poiuytrewq]

Same here!

 

[tankgirl1]

And here!

 

[madmav]

I do that, too. I have very long legs though and have been told I have short arms - so maybe I'm riding much too short!

 

[CinnamonChristmasCookie]

Just adjust once on board after doing some no stirrups work. If you're not riding your own horse, invest in your own leathers/stirrups, they're quick enough to swap and there you go!

 

[NiceChristmasBaubles]

Just adjust once on board after doing some no stirrups work. If you're not riding your own horse, invest in your own leathers/stirrups, they're quick enough to swap and there you go!

I'd agree with that other than the fact that I had to swap my pony's saddle stirrups onto my horse's dressage saddle last night (as the dog decided to chew one of my posh leathers) and had to put them down several holes. So it does depend on the saddle as well.

 

[WelshD]

Apart from the armpit thing i was also told that when the foot is out of the stirrup and relaxed the stirrup tread should be level with your ankle

 

[hnmisty]

Apart from the armpit thing i was also told that when the foot is out of the stirrup and relaxed the stirrup tread should be level with your ankle

Ditto this.

 

[Adopter]

I was taught same method and it usually worked!

 

[gwniver]

right so I am going to have to get used to riding with shorter stirrups then =-D

 

[JillA]

Apart from the armpit thing i was also told that when the foot is out of the stirrup and relaxed the stirrup tread should be level with your ankle

And me - with the slight alteration that the stirrup tread should be by your ankle bone. Pays to potter around for a few minutes without them first though - your stirrup should just support the ball of your foot, not take the whole weight of your legs.