shopping help - stirrup leathers

[Kat]

I broke a stirrup leather recently and need to replace the pair but getting the right length is proving difficult - even finding long enough ones is not easy.

I would love dressage leathers but I am sure I won't get them with enough adjustability, as I need them to fit my husband and I.

The current ones measure 65" in length not including the buckle. Measured to the hole husband uses is 55", I need the shortest hole to be 44" (to enable me to shorten a hole or two from my normal schooling length but I have different ones for my jumping saddle). Husband will want them to be long enough that the tail doesn't dig in his leg and he can tuck it in the keeper. I don't think 60" will be long enough.

They must be havana/brown leather. Preferably plain reinforced ones, not ones with a webbing core. The fact that the last pair broke was a good thing!

And not mega money please.

Red wine for any suggestions, that don't involve chopping the husband's legs off.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

PM pansymouse, I was looking for long stirrups recently and she has some 64" ones for sale.

 

[Batgirl]

Quite happy to use my googling skills and then probably suggest get some made. 65"!!!! My 6'4" instructor only uses 54", how big is hubby!

You are right, unlikely to get webbers but if you get the longest lenght you can always add holes for you.

Will report back

 

[Batgirl]

http://www.fs-saddlery.co.uk/comersus/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=1920

64"

 

[Kat]

Oh thank you! Was going to see what the local proper saddlery quoted for making a pair as I think that is probably where the original pair came from, will see if they come in cheaper than the FS ones.

Don't know how he needs such long leathers. He is only 6ft2 but very leggy. He has had the leathers ages, he bought them when still at a riding school as he often couldn't get his stirrups right. He even had to use them when we had our saddle fitted as the longest leathers the fitter had were too short! People always look a bit surprised when I put twists in for fast work, I am quite surprised how long they are though!

 

[nuttychestnut]

Personally I would recommend a pair of Harry dabbs leathers. They used to do made to measure. I've had mine over 13 years and with daily use they've not stretched and the stitching is still in really good nick. Plus due to the shaped buckle you hardly feel them.

 

[Kat]

Thanks for that will look them up too.

 

[Stroppy Mare]

I'll second the Harry dabbs leathers - good quality and the buckle is shaped on a curve to stop it digging in your leg. Failing this, I have some exselle leathers with the same buckle that I've had for 11 years - stitching wore out in the same place on both, so got them redone and now they're better than ever.