Safety irons,or not?!

molehill

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My son uses the bent leg safety irons.He got hung up in the sturrip iron and dragged one day,whilst wearing jodphur boots.Since then i have used peacock safety irons,as since that incident i have been worried about getting dragged,but out hunting today i was galloping across a field when the iron snapped cleanly in half.I was very impressed with myself for staying on,but im not to convinced about safety irons any more!Im not sure if i shall be using them again.
 
Peacock iorns are really only suitable for anyone 8.5 stone or less (not suggesting you're too heavy!) so really for kids and very small adults
 
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Peacock iorns are really only suitable for anyone 8.5 stone or less (not suggesting you're too heavy!) so really for kids and very small adults

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I never knew that why do they not make that clear when selling them!
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I used to have a pair of the bendy ones as well,but im a little concerned as what holds them together(the ball and chain bit)
Maybe i will take apart my old ones and have alook after today episode!!I think im going to be a little over cautious as to waht i buy next!Not paranoid or any thing!!!!
 
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I've no idea but I've been drilled with that info since I was knee high

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see and that would make sense as my friend who uses them has never had a problem but probably weights at max 6.5 stone!
 
Ah so thats where i went wrong Druid!!!
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Mind you when you buy them it never states that any where.Pretty dangerous if you ask me.
 
Could you get some of those buckles that attach the stirrup to the leather and come off under pressure?

I can't remember the name but I'm sure someone else can?
 
The barnes buckle? I did think about them but was always worried about them coming un-done when i didnt want them to.A bit like today episode!!
 
I broke my ankle really badly in April after falling off & getting my foot caught in a standard iron. I've now bought the Mountain Horse safety stirrups, the outside bit that would pop off if you got caught is sort of rubber tubing stuff. They look really smart, & I feel safer with them.
 
Are they going to be strong enough for an adult Kizzy?I think the problem with the peacock iron is the metal work only goes so far around,as someone else suggested they should only be used by children and small adults.It sounds as if the mountain horse irons only have the same amount of metal work as the peacock iron so there fore should only be used by children????????????
 
The only time I've ridden with one of those buckles was on a 15hh riding school horse. Ok he's not huge so wouldn't have had really heavy clients on him but they were up to the job of carrying me *coughs* 10st *coughs*. I would have thought that if they were prone to coming off at inopportune moments then a RS wouldn't have used them
 
A horse came down on me last november in standerd stirrups, the whole stirrup was todly reshaped let only my poor ankle! I used to use peacock stirrups when I was younger, and in the accidents they had the rubber borke off and very greatful for it. It once took my months to replace it and I quite happily rode with it missed for months no trouble! Now bendy side stirrup person.
 
Ten years ago I broke my tibia & fibula when I fell off my mare, it wasn't the fall but the twisting of my foot in the iron that caused it!! Ow....... and before anyone says, yes the irons were the right size for my feet....

Since then I have always ridden in safety stirrups, I hack out in bent leg ones and compete in mountain horses' new safety irons.
 
I always used to use the barnes buckles one and never had a problem - and so what if they undo? Its only the side, it won't cause you to fall off and its easy to snap back on! I'd rather lose my balance a split second than be dragged (like I was in April).
I now have special stirrups that are shaped with a "C" like curve - not sure what its called though but tis good!
 
The mountain horse ones are a far higher spec than the old style peacock irons. You could ring them & check, but they are mighty strong & chunky. I only weigh 8 stone, so defo fine for me, if you are concerned might be worth checking first, but I'm sure they are designed with adults in mind.
 
The barnes buckle is a buckle that fits inbetween your iron and leather Gloster-image.Ithink what you are talking about is the peacock safety iron,which is the one with a rubber type band down the side,and that is the type that snapped with me today.
 
Aha im getting confused now. I'm meaning the one with the rubber band type thing on the side of the stirrup. With it being at the side i can't see too much a problem if it does snap - though out hunting could be a problem (take a spare one in your pocket?)
Like I said i have metal stirrups but the outside bar is shaped in a C
 
It wasnt the rubber that broke that wouldnt of been a problem,it was the metal that snapped
clean in half(i had nothing to put my foot in!)
 
See my problem now!!!!Not sure just have safe they are!!!
I was so pleased with myself for staying on,galloping across a field and it snaps!!!
 
Flipping 'eck good job!! I thought you meant the rubber bit I was confused lol That really is shocking you should write to the manufacturer or something because thats dangerous
 
I think im going to go for a bent leg iron,like you say you use.I need some kind of safety iron as i have to wear my leg in a splint(from my knee to my toes)all of the time,so im worried about having a fall and getting my foot hung up as my leg doesnt bend to well.Maybe i shouldnt be riding at all!!!
 
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