Safest stirrups?

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soloequestrian

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I need to get some safety stirrups because I have inadvertently bought a saddle with stupid hanging-e stirrup bars. Which are the safest to go for? I'm thinking toe cages (young horse, don't care what the tack looks like at the moment!) but are there other recommendations?
 
Depends on how you think you are going to fall off? Toe cages are best if you ride in shoes without a heel as they prevent the foot going through - but are just going to be one more clunky thing to hit you on the head if you always ride with a heel. I'm not sure there are any studies on the mechanisms of release so it is probably little more than personal choice after that - but make sure the stirrup fits your boot size and is reasonably light.
 
I'd be interested in something like the Barnes Buckles or Swiss Clips that you seem to be able to use with any stirrup, but they don't come up for sale anywhere.
 
I have some Smart Rider stirrups. They're not the prettiest, but they are comfortable and completely disassemble if your foot is caught. You can use them as a stirrup extension, too. I must confess I wouldn't have bought them - I won them in a competition, but I do like them better than my old set of angled stirrups and my foot seems very secure on the tread. They come in lots of colours, too, if you're matchy matchy inclined!
 
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