measuring stirrup leathers - erm how??!?!

cob&onion

cob&onion

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just measured my stirrup leathers (old so need some new ones) and they measured 60" laid flat from leather (by buckle) to tip, am on the 4th hole up from bottom as am quite tall and ride long - however the longest ones i can find are 54"?! is this right or am i missing something?! :confused::confused:
 
JumpinBeckeyJane said:
Could they have streched I have the shortest ones possiable so no idea on what the longest ones would b!
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Yes thats a possibility as there probably over 10 years old :o i wanted longer though so i have leather to put through the keepers on the saddle instead of having a flappy bit!
 
Thanks for the link :)
have spotted those ones which are 61" length :)

Oooooo and stubben ones in 62"!!
 
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cremedemonthe said:
Standard adult leathers are 54", extra long are 60", childrens are 48"
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I wonder if they measure them differently like OP suggests, because I am not very tall (5ft6) and my inside leg measurement for jeans etc is 30in so based on that I would expect stirrup leather length to be double my leg length plus enough to tuck in to flap ie about 65in and I only have standard length leathers I think. I know my leg is not straight in the stirrup but it is quite long.
 
Saddlers are taught to measure from the bottom of the buckle tongue along the leather to the tip at the other end. Manufacturer's however who may not necessarily be saddler trained seem to measure from the end of the buckle instead and then along the leather to the tip the other end. Classic example of this is with girths, with the looped barred girth buckles that are approx 2" long and are now in use you can add 4" to the overal length if you measure the manufacturer's way and lose 4" if you measure the traditional saddle's way, confusing or what!
Oz :)
 
Most companies make 60" leathers including Jeffries, Albion, stubben etc. The Albion stirrup leathers are lovely, if you can afford the price tag!!
 
tiggs said:
I wonder if they measure them differently like OP suggests, because I am not very tall (5ft6) and my inside leg measurement for jeans etc is 30in so based on that I would expect stirrup leather length to be double my leg length plus enough to tuck in to flap ie about 65in and I only have standard length leathers I think. I know my leg is not straight in the stirrup but it is quite long.
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Don't forget the stirrup iron :D

And the bend in the knee, plus the stirrup bar isn't up in your cotch it's a few inches lower.
 
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I think stirrup leathers are measured from the tip of the buckle to the first hole.

Stubben used to do an extra long about 61 or 62 ins. Try dressage sites as they usually have the longest ones, rarely cheap though .

I think using 1.75 times your inner leg measurement will work .
Mine leathers are 48" and my inside leg is 26" and I'm on the 4th or 5th hole.

BTW The red leathers stretch like crazy.
 
tiggs said:
I wonder if they measure them differently like OP suggests, because I am not very tall (5ft6) and my inside leg measurement for jeans etc is 30in so based on that I would expect stirrup leather length to be double my leg length plus enough to tuck in to flap ie about 65in and I only have standard length leathers I think. I know my leg is not straight in the stirrup but it is quite long.
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The stirrup bar is lower than your crotch, subtract that as well. The eye in the stirrup that you put the leather through is much higher up than where your inside leg measurement would be to, subtract that. And you also lose a lot more than you'd think when you bend your leg, even only as far as a long dressage length leg. If you think about how much leather is visible when your stirrups are dropped, it's more like 18", a long way from 30" which you are picturing.

60" is for tall men for jumping, or tall women for dressage. 54" may not be long enough for some average height women for dressage.
 
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