Riding without stirrups - what do you do with your stirrups?

[bex1984]

As title...what do you do with your stirrups when riding without them?!

I tried crossing mine over but the 'leathers' (i have the wintec ones) dug into my legs

 

[BobbyMondeo]

I normally just take them off , if i am going to ride without stirrups it is normally for the whole session not just a few minutes. And i find if you cross them over they just get in the way as you described

 

[Durhamchance]

Take them off altogether then.

I cross over the front of the saddle. I used to work/ride at a RS that just made you take your feet out and let the stirrups hang and bash the side of your horse.

ETS and your ankles!

 

[Sit_Up]

Before you cross thm over do you pull the buckle down a few inches? This allows you to fold the leater so that it lies flatter.

 

[checkmate1]

When I worked in a riding school (Long long time ago) we used to cross then over the horses wither/shoulders. Seemed to work then, I haven't worked without stirrups for a long time so wouldn't know!!

 

[Fransurrey]

Cross them over, which doesn't help you, really! Can't remember the correct way (it's supposed to be one over the other), but Henry doesn't mind!

 

[DollyDolls]

Pull the buckle down, as if you were changing the length of your stirrup, then flip them over the front of the saddle/ wither. Moving the buckle out of the way should reduce the bulk & make it more comfy.

 

[piebaldsparkle]

[ QUOTE ]
Before you cross thm over do you pull the buckle down a few inches? This allows you to fold the leater so that it lies flatter.

[/ QUOTE ]

As above.

 

[niaismyname]

I cross them over, left then right (i always do it that way- i dunno if its the right way :L)
they never seem to get in my way :S

 

[Stacie_and_Jed]

[ QUOTE ]
I cross them over, left then right (i always do it that way- i dunno if its the right way :L)
they never seem to get in my way :S

[/ QUOTE ]

Hey me too!

 

[bex1984]

I'll try pulling them down a bit, but I think they dig in because they're synthetic and not very flexible?!

 

[Kat1e]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I cross them over, left then right (i always do it that way- i dunno if its the right way :L)
they never seem to get in my way :S

[/ QUOTE ]

Hey me too!

[/ QUOTE ]

I was always taught to cross the right then the left- then if you fall off you only need to uncross the top one to get back on!

Like some of the others I pull the buckle down a few inches, fold them flat so they don't dig in, and cross them in front of the saddle.

 

[jumptoit]

Cross them over, right then left.....though if that's all I'm going to do for the remainder of the session just take them off all together

 

[combat_claire]

[ QUOTE ]
I was always taught to cross the right then the left- then if you fall off you only need to uncross the top one to get back on!


[/ QUOTE ]

Me too, guess my riding instructor didn't have much faith in our stickability..the habit has stuck though and I still cross my stirrups in that order over the withers and with a groan.

 

[somethingorother]

I'm a right then left too. And have been doing it a lot recently as i'm getting back into riding again and my legs/seat suck. If they're old leathers they're usually ok, but if not i usually pull them down a couple of inches.

I did it yesterday, and boy am i paying for it today! lol.