Moving stirrup bars?

[Fruitcake]

Is it possible to have stirrup bars moved on a saddle? I recently bought a new dressage saddle, which I love in all aspects other than the fact that the stirrup bars seem to be a little too far forward.

Is it a completely daft and undoable idea that they may be able to be moved? I’m thinking of the possibility of maybe removing and stainless steel welding or something.

Has anyone seen this done?

 

[Shay]

The bars are an integral part of the tree. Unless it is a treeless saddle - not they can't be moved.

 

[Fruitcake]

The bars are an integral part of the tree. Unless it is a treeless saddle - not they can't be moved.

Should maybe have made it clear, sorry: I understand they’re part of the tree. I was just wondering if there was a possibility of (a specialist) either cutting and welding them or extending them somehow.

 

[Shay]

Depending on make they are usually "only" screwed in place so I suppose in theory you could strip the saddle back to the tree, move the bars - although not very much as there is only so much space on that section -and re-build the saddle. But the effort to do that is going to be at least equal to, if not more than, building the saddle from scratch - and may well impair the balance of the saddle as the tree is designed for the stirrup bars where they are.

Probably the best thing is to contact the saddle manufacturer and see if that is something they can do. But it might turn out more cost effective to get something the same make, as you like that, but a different range or a completely bespoke.

 

[little_critter]

I believe there is only so far back you can put stirrup bars as the lever action on them can weaken the fixing to the tree.

 

[Gloi]

You can get adjustable stirrup bars where the leathers go through a fitting that can be moved forward or back, I once had a saddle with them on. I've no idea where to get them or how to change them though.

Found a picture of similar ones
https://landrsaddles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/2016-Adjustable-Bar-Position-5.jpg

 

[blodwyn1]

I had a lauriche dressage saddle which had adjustable stirrup bars, you could lift them up and move them along a bar with notches on. I have never seen this on any other saddle make but it was a brilliant idea.

 

[sbloom]

Should maybe have made it clear, sorry: I understand they’re part of the tree. I was just wondering if there was a possibility of (a specialist) either cutting and welding them or extending them somehow.

Nothing should EVER be welded on a tree. No, the stirrup bars are on the tree from the beginning, I would imagine even trying to strip the whole saddle down and removing them would cause damage to the tree, let alone anything less thorough. Some fitters (me included) carry small leather loops to place on the stirrup bar to set the stirrup leather back a little, very useful and would work for you. You could get a leather worker to make some for you.

Adjustable stirrup bars have pros and cons, the Wow one has a massive difference between front and back, the adjustable Wellup type ones are bulky and will be uncomfortable in some instances.

 

[Sprat]

Adjustable stirrup bars have pros and cons, the Wow one has a massive difference between front and back, the adjustable Wellup type ones are bulky and will be uncomfortable in some instances.

Is this something you would recommend? I haven't heard about adjustable stirrup bars before, and it would be of interest as I could do with mine a little further back... However won't explore if not feasible!

 

[sbloom]

As I say they have pros and cons, I am quite happy offering the leather stirrup loops. Very few saddles have the adjustable ones because of the cons.

 

[Sandstone1]

As I say they have pros and cons, I am quite happy offering the leather stirrup loops. Very few saddles have the adjustable ones because of the cons.

I use these on my saddle and they do work.

 

[Gloi]

I use these on my saddle and they do work.

I really liked them on mine

 

[Fruitcake]

Nothing should EVER be welded on a tree. No, the stirrup bars are on the tree from the beginning, I would imagine even trying to strip the whole saddle down and removing them would cause damage to the tree, let alone anything less thorough. Some fitters (me included) carry small leather loops to place on the stirrup bar to set the stirrup leather back a little, very useful and would work for you. You could get a leather worker to make some for you.

Adjustable stirrup bars have pros and cons, the Wow one has a massive difference between front and back, the adjustable Wellup type ones are bulky and will be uncomfortable in some instances.

Funnily enough, OH spoke to saddler today who suggested those loops. I’m going to give that a go to see if it makes a difference. In general, how much further back do you find people need the leathers to hang to make a difference? (I understand it’s probably different for different people and saddles). I don’t think there’d be much room for a loop any wider than around 12mm. Would this be enough?

 

[ycbm]

WOW sell up-and-over stirrup leathers where your stirrup is attached to the opposite bar. This sets the leathers back a long way. On an ordinary saddle you would possibly have to cut a slit in the flap over the stirrup bar to make it work, but that might be worth doing if you really, really don't want to change the saddle altogether.

..

 

[Teajack]

Funnily enough, OH spoke to saddler today who suggested those loops. I’m going to give that a go to see if it makes a difference. In general, how much further back do you find people need the leathers to hang to make a difference? (I understand it’s probably different for different people and saddles). I don’t think there’d be much room for a loop any wider than around 12mm. Would this be enough?

I used to use rubber loops, can't remember what they came from now - or rather what they came off ;-). There was only space to move the leathers about half an inch but l found lt made a big difference.

 

[Sprat]

Does anyone have recommendations of where to purchase? I might give some a go but don’t want to scrimp on a cheapo pair

 

[little_critter]

Funnily enough, OH spoke to saddler today who suggested those loops. I’m going to give that a go to see if it makes a difference. In general, how much further back do you find people need the leathers to hang to make a difference? (I understand it’s probably different for different people and saddles). I don’t think there’d be much room for a loop any wider than around 12mm. Would this be enough?

I just wrapped some lanyard round mine. It was probably less than 1cm Wide but that was enough to feel a difference.

 

[Leo Walker]

I've seen people use elastic bands before as well

 

[Bob notacob]

short sectiions of car heater hose work well .A very small movement can make a huge difference. I had wellep bars fitted when I had a saddle made . They arnt good for jumping as you can loose the stirrup leather backwards (but plastic cable ties work well in holding them on and will easily break

 

[Fruitcake]

OH has found some rubber tube stuff that he’s cut down so am going to give that a go and see if it makes a difference.

Ycbm, how do the up and over leathers work then? Had a look on Wow website but can’t find them.

 

[Sprat]

Does anyone have photo examples? I can't picture it and google is not being particularly helpful

 

[Sandstone1]

They are simply two small loops of leather. Similar to a keeper on a bridle. You just slide them on to stirrup bar before you put stirrup leather on to bar. They just push your leather back a little.

 

[Fruitcake]

Just an update:
Tried the saddle with the rubber spacers today and my leg position felt much better so think my issue might’ve been solved by something as simple (and free) as a couple of bits of rubber tube stuff! 😊

 

[sbloom]

My loops are 1/2" wide. Glad it worked for you Fiona36!