Safety stirrups

Suby2

Suby2

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17 May 2009
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I am a 73 year old happy hacker. I had to stop riding at the beginning of June as my right hip was just too painful due to arthritis.

I had a hip replacement 5 months ago and rode my pony today for a very short ride for the first time following the op.

My has other hip was replaced 10 years ago and I got back into riding no problem. This time however I seem to be thinking more of the what ifs and for that reason I want to get some safety stirrups.

I have two in mind although that is not set in stone - either the Arena Alupro or Flex-on Safe-on Ultra Grip.

Does anyone have experience of either of these, good or bad?
 
I use Sprenger - the straight ones as I like normal stirrup shaped stirrups. But they have some give in them to reduce wear on one's joints.
I need to have two pairs though in different sizes. Larger ones for my warm winter boots.
 
I recommend against the hinged ones - if possible it's much better to address saddle fit for the rider, as the stirrups introduce instability and mess with your proprioception which is already much reduced in stirrups. I recommend Safestyle, they won't suit everyone, same as any, but they're great, and not too expensive.
 
The stirrups are not the whole story. The advice I had was moderation. If I cantered a lot on one day, not to do the same on the next day. I have rarely ridden on two consecutive days.
 
Get some toe cages. I suffer from flare ups of sciatica and they have been an absolute game changer for me. I wouldn't hack without them now.
 
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