Shock absorb safety stirrups!!!

[devilinajar]

Has any one ever used these or any like them I have a problem with my hips and back and ridding can be very painful for me. I was told about these and just wondered if anyine has used used them and what your thoughts are on them!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Shock-Absorb-Flexi...A1%7C240%3A1318

 

[Baileyhoss]

haven't tried these, but I borrowed a friend's sprenger system 4 stirrups for a boxing day hunt. (similar looking to these)

I have osteo chondritis in my knees (not much cartlidge left) and after riding my knees are usually stiff & sore, if I ride in the cold, or with short stirrups for more than half an hour, it's MUCH worse and my knees can be sore for the rest of the day.

I rode on a mock hunt for 2 and a half hours in frosty cold temps - for the entire time with xc length (3 holes shorter than dressage) Loads and loads of galloping & jumping. Believe it or not, not only were my knees not sore AT ALL!, but i didn't feel any fatigue, aches or pains in my legs or lower back and I hadn't done much jumping since September, so expected to be well stiff!.

Just to prove it was down to these stirrups, I rode about 2 weeks later in the cold (after the ice lifted) for just under an hour, mostly walk and a bit of trot, one canter at schooling length stirrups and my knees were aching loads when i got off.

I am going to get some, but I believe it's worth splashing out on the real thing if you have problems.

 

[Joss]

Have used ones like these & they are good although they didnt make a massive difference for me. I have found that the cheaper ones tend to be more flexible & I havent worked out if this is good or bad. Loads of people do use a version of these so they must do some good (or be fashionable!!)

Just watch out, this particular pair are very small (childs size)

 

[devilinajar]

[ QUOTE ]
Have used ones like these & they are good although they didnt make a massive difference for me. I have found that the cheaper ones tend to be more flexible & I havent worked out if this is good or bad. Loads of people do use a version of these so they must do some good (or be fashionable!!)

Just watch out, this particular pair are very small (childs size)

[/ QUOTE ]
I was just using this link as an example , i had realised they were very small. Think i may measure the stirrups i use now them maybe invest in some cheap ones first to see how i get on with them. Dont really want to spend too much on them as there not my horses i ride!!!
Thank you all for your thoughts on them!!

 

[sar1]

I have the Funnell flexi-stirrups. I have a dodgy ankle due to a bad sprain several years ago and was finding it painful to ride shorter in normal stirrups. I bought these and they are fab! Went hunting the other day and didn't think about the fact that my stirrups were XC length (7 holes shorter than my dressage length!). 4.5 hours later and my ankle was still fine!

 

[jinxy]

I think that mine are very similar to these ones, and i really like them, but I haven't compared them to the more expensive ones. I find normal stirrups a bit uncomfy now.

 

[CrazyMare]

Baileyhoss said just what I would. I have Sprenger System 4 stirrups and am being referred to knee specialists because of ongoing issues with both knees. I can't ride without my Sprengers!! I change them on to every saddle I use.

 

[Twizzel]

I have the Sprenger stirrups and they are a Godsend. I've got dodgy knees and ankles, plus injured a ligament in my ankle last year, and these stirrups have taken away any pain that I got during and after riding. Can't fault them

 

[kerilli]

i've got the sprengers too, 2 pairs of the normal bendy ones, and 1 pair of bow balance. can't tell the difference tbh.
if you know anyone in Germany, they're half the price over there...