Please recommended me new stirrups (the world has changed)

MissTyc

MissTyc

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I am still riding in my extremely expensive (in 1999) and "posh" (in 1999) Sprenger stirrups on my jumping saddle, and for their age they are pretty awesome considering they have evented and hunting three horses not to mention all the training that goes with that. However, I am almost 30 years older and my body isn't quite so flexi any more. My current young horse is quite spritely and prone to the odd panic, so I have decided to replace these ancient stirrups. Other stirrups I own: compositi plastic ones for my elderly hacking pony which are lovely and lightweight but if I jump or do too much fast work in them, my ankle and knee say nope the next day; dressage Jins that I have used for 15 years but I don't think I ever really liked them. I did like the wide tread and of course they looked the part. I mostly schooled in the jumping saddle so only really used them for targetted dressage days/competitions. I have had others but they seem to be missing from my tack room (or buried under accumulated stuff); never anything special.

So I am seeking recommendation for modern stirrups that have safety features in case of falling off young horse, are comfortable for longer rides and will support a not completely young rider with occasional knee, hip pain following longer rides esp longer fun/fast rides, and cyclical sciatica flare-ups that give me literal pain in the bum!

My brain is overwhemed by all these "new" names ... Acavallo AluPro, AluPlus, Arena Flex, LeMieux Vector, Freejump Soft'Up Pro+, Flex-On Green Composite, Safe-On ..
 
I'm currently saving up for a pair of safety stirrups for when I back my young horse next year and I'm going to be getting either the LeMieux Vector stirrups or I will be getting the Premier Equine Intego Duo safety stirrups x
 
I've had a few pairs of swanky irons. Then i bought some cheap compositi plastic ones with a wide foot bed for a second saddle until i could afford new expensive ones! I ended up buying more compositi and selling my Sprengers and Alupro's
I used to get a really weirdly achy right foot, hence trying dececnt irons but I no longer suffer that and I love that they are so light.
I'd say see if you can borrow some to see if they really are better for you before spending ££
 
poiuytrewq said:
I've had a few pairs of swanky irons. Then i bought some cheap compositi plastic ones with a wide foot bed for a second saddle until i could afford new expensive ones! I ended up buying more compositi and selling my Sprengers and Alupro's
I used to get a really weirdly achy right foot, hence trying dececnt irons but I no longer suffer that and I love that they are so light.
I'd say see if you can borrow some to see if they really are better for you before spending ££
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I'm the same. Have had the Acavello and Sprenger expensive stirrups, but sold them in favour of my Compositi Reflex ones. I wouldn't use anything else now (I do only hack though).
 
Hi following with interest - I have ankle issues so I'd like safe stirrups, ones that are secure (?grippy) and ones that are forgiving on ankles - wide tread I guess.

I know several people who had those Free-Jumps and got boots/laces caught on the open arm dismounting so not keen on those.
 
Ambers Echo said:
Hi following with interest - I have ankle issues so I'd like safe stirrups, ones that are secure (?grippy) and ones that are forgiving on ankles - wide tread I guess.

I know several people who had those Free-Jumps and got boots/laces caught on the open arm dismounting so not keen on those.
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One of the yard girls got dragged by her freejumps this week. Not far and they are maybe too small tbh but safety stirrups also on my mind this week 😭

I really rate my compositi ones for comfort but I would like a safety version, especially for hacking in yard boots. I can't walk any distance in my riding boots if I have to hop off.
 
It depends on what you like in a stirrup, there are so many now on the market!
I had Sprenger's for years but realised the flex actually made my lower leg swing forward as it allowed me to put my heel down to much if that makes sense. I realised i wanted a wider foot bed as that was more stable so i got some Royal Riders flexi composite ones. Loved those and had them for years. I then rode a horse that had fixed sides but an angled wide footbed and it was a game changer for me and my lower leg and comfort for my knees. So off i went and got some Flex on's and i have to say they have been the best. I have just changed mine to the safety ones just in case.
If you like wide, angled foot bed, then i would say the Flex on's, if you like wide, wide flat footbed but with a bit of flex, then see if you can get something like the Royal Rider ones. Both do flat, non flex versions.
 
I am a Le Mieux Vector balance stirrup convert.
I have been riding in Sprenger bow balance stirrups for many, many years too scared to give another brand a try but I am so glad I did, I love the Vector's and my feet feel so secure in them too.
 
I’m sticking with my sprengers, share has flex ons and I don’t like them much, but a lot of grip if that’s a preference (though I question that in terms of safety sometimes). Lighter too!
 
I ride with Acavello Opera stirrups. I like them and feel no need to change, but in all honesty have nothing really to compare them to other than cheapo plastic or traditional irons, so that might not be too helpful!
 
I have the Acavallo Arena Aluplus 2.0 which has a slightly angled footplate. I love it. So much more comfortable on longer trail rides. The LeMieux vector was OK but I didn't like the spikes on the tread (can easily scratch your hand or stirrup leathers of you're not careful) and they got rusty real quick.
 
General guidance (I focus on rider fit for saddle fitting but stirrups can be tricky!):

Try and work out whether a 90 degree offset eye would work. They're brilliant for those who need them, I had MDCs when I used to ride and they were a gamechanger for me. If your feet are unstable, rolling from inside to outside and back, then you would be better with a regular non-offset eye.

Don't go for hinges/flexi treads but instead go for something with suspension in it, if it helps you. Our feet are the only part of our body to give us feedback from the group, proprioception, and we've already taken away 80% of that when we are in stirrups, so making it flexible takes away a lot of feedback to the brain, or adds a load of "noise" to the brain. I only recommend them for people who really an find nothing else that helps their ankles or knees, for most people they'll make the ankle stabilise itself when it should be mobile, passing the pressure of mobility up to the knees that should be stable but have to become mobile.

A tilt one way or the other may be useful, I often stick a piece of yoga mat onto the inside tread under the big toe part of the ball of the foot and in these cases a slight tilt, or weighting, to the outside brings the inside of the stirrup up to better support the whole foot, helping proprioception and stability.

Borrow as many as you can, they're expensive!
 
smolmaus said:
One of the yard girls got dragged by her freejumps this week. Not far and they are maybe too small tbh but safety stirrups also on my mind this week 😭

I really rate my compositi ones for comfort but I would like a safety version, especially for hacking in yard boots. I can't walk any distance in my riding boots if I have to hop off.
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I have compositi ellipses with the safety arm with wide foot bed plus you can offset the angle from 90 degrees really like them so far but they are a bit heavy and odd looking.
Edited to add I haven't noticed a huge difference from my reflexes which I really liked as well but the obvious gain in safety features.
 
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Our local saddler does try before you buy days.

I really couldn't see what all the fuss was about, so booked in on one of these days, 100% prepared to not see any difference.

I was wrong. I tried 5 different ones and some I liked, some not, and some no difference. Ended up buying Freejump Airs, which I really like.
 
MissTyc said:
I am still riding in my extremely expensive (in 1999) and "posh" (in 1999) Sprenger stirrups on my jumping saddle, and for their age they are pretty awesome considering they have evented and hunting three horses not to mention all the training that goes with that. However, I am almost 30 years older and my body isn't quite so flexi any more. My current young horse is quite spritely and prone to the odd panic, so I have decided to replace these ancient stirrups. Other stirrups I own: compositi plastic ones for my elderly hacking pony which are lovely and lightweight but if I jump or do too much fast work in them, my ankle and knee say nope the next day; dressage Jins that I have used for 15 years but I don't think I ever really liked them. I did like the wide tread and of course they looked the part. I mostly schooled in the jumping saddle so only really used them for targetted dressage days/competitions. I have had others but they seem to be missing from my tack room (or buried under accumulated stuff); never anything special.

So I am seeking recommendation for modern stirrups that have safety features in case of falling off young horse, are comfortable for longer rides and will support a not completely young rider with occasional knee, hip pain following longer rides esp longer fun/fast rides, and cyclical sciatica flare-ups that give me literal pain in the bum!

My brain is overwhemed by all these "new" names ... Acavallo AluPro, AluPlus, Arena Flex, LeMieux Vector, Freejump Soft'Up Pro+, Flex-On Green Composite, Safe-On ..
Click to expand...
I think the Queen used to ride in bent leg irons for safety, until she stopped - so probably experiencing the usual elderly aches and pains by then, but her physical safety was probably quite high priority!
Or the side-saddle, safety-pattern stirrups - of course you’d need two.
 
Having a really backwards horse, with my old ones (expensive but 20 years old) i kept losing them....have converted to Le Meuix ones with the safety arm and little pins on the pad..,thought I would hate but I dont, I love them! Also can attest to the fact, if you fall off the pins may hold your foot on stirrup. They really dont! twice!
 
Avacallo Arena Alupro - am an older rider and have had a lot of hip/ankle pain and these were excellent. Comfortable, secure and light. Rode a friends horse in a pair of tradition stirrups and really missed my Avacallos! See if you can try some first as others suggest.
 
MissTyc said:
I am still riding in my extremely expensive (in 1999) and "posh" (in 1999) Sprenger stirrups on my jumping saddle, and for their age they are pretty awesome considering they have evented and hunting three horses not to mention all the training that goes with that. However, I am almost 30 years older and my body isn't quite so flexi any more. My current young horse is quite spritely and prone to the odd panic, so I have decided to replace these ancient stirrups.

So I am seeking recommendation for modern stirrups that have safety features in case of falling off young horse, are comfortable for longer rides and will support a not completely young rider with occasional knee, hip pain following longer rides esp longer fun/fast rides, and cyclical sciatica flare-ups that give me literal pain in the bum!

My brain is overwhemed by all these "new" names ... Acavallo AluPro, AluPlus, Arena Flex, LeMieux Vector, Freejump Soft'Up Pro+, Flex-On Green Composite, Safe-On ..
Click to expand...
As an ancient who also can't cope with so many differnt names, types... I was also looking for back/hip/knee/ankle/foot support, but also needed to be super lightweight as shoulders also had it and was struggling to lift the saddle over new young horse's high wither!! Wasn't planning on coming off (too expensive to replaceair canisters) but safety was a consideration. Stumbled on a pair of second hand Royal Rider Flex's while trying to self educate and took a punt - I love them! I think I was very lucky with the price though. Thought I might treat someone else to a pair until I saw the usual price. I am pretty confident I wouldn't get stuck in them even when riding in my chunky muck boots but they are not 'safety'. Though if they do a safety, I'd definitely consider it.
 
Cloball said:
I have compositi ellipses with the safety arm with wide foot bed plus you can offset the angle from 90 degrees really like them so far but they are a bit heavy and odd looking.
Edited to add I haven't noticed a huge difference from my reflexes which I really liked as well but the obvious gain in safety features.
Click to expand...
Thank you! Why would google not show me these in the dozens of searches for stirrups! Useless bloody robot! 😂

They seem to be out of stock most places but I will find what can be found!

ETA: Oh the orange ones are so obnoxious, I must have them
 
poiuytrewq said:
I've had a few pairs of swanky irons. Then i bought some cheap compositi plastic ones with a wide foot bed for a second saddle until i could afford new expensive ones! I ended up buying more compositi and selling my Sprengers and Alupro's
I used to get a really weirdly achy right foot, hence trying dececnt irons but I no longer suffer that and I love that they are so light.
I'd say see if you can borrow some to see if they really are better for you before spending ££
Click to expand...

I also love the cheapo plastic Compositis. They don't make my feet hurt like metal ones do, I can only think there's just a bit more give in the plastic than metal over hours of riding. I think I paid £10 per pair second hand for mine!
 
vhf said:
As an ancient who also can't cope with so many differnt names, types... I was also looking for back/hip/knee/ankle/foot support, but also needed to be super lightweight as shoulders also had it and was struggling to lift the saddle over new young horse's high wither!! Wasn't planning on coming off (too expensive to replaceair canisters) but safety was a consideration. Stumbled on a pair of second hand Royal Rider Flex's while trying to self educate and took a punt - I love them! I think I was very lucky with the price though. Thought I might treat someone else to a pair until I saw the usual price. I am pretty confident I wouldn't get stuck in them even when riding in my chunky muck boots but they are not 'safety'. Though if they do a safety, I'd definitely consider it.
Click to expand...

I was going to post but your story is exactly the same as mine with the difference of needing as light a weight as possible for my pony to carry. I had used bendy metal no-brand stirrups for years.
Still needed joint help stirrups, searched, found Royal Riders flex, a week later got a pair second hand less than half price on Marketplace.
Brilliant
 
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