short stirrups good or bad?

JFTD said:
No, I did, because that's actually what my post says. Not sure what your problem is, Wagtail, but don't put words in people's mouths...
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My original point which you chose to take exception to was that modern saddles, even forward cut ones are well balanced and do not have forward stirrup bars so it is perfectly possible to comfortably sit in shoulder heel alignment. It is only some old or cheap tacky saddles that have a forward stirrup bar. And in such saddles then it doesn't matter a jot how long or short your stirrups are; they will put you in the 'chair seat'. As will a saddle that has correctly positioned stirrup bars but which is too narrow for the horse.

My post was not designed to point out what you did or didn't say. My second post was merely agreeing with you about what you said. I found your prickly reaction slightly amusing. Sorry about that.
 
Many modern GPs have poorly positioned stirrup bars, in my opinion. VSDs are better in that sphere. Jumping saddles are a different kettle of fish entirely. A longer stirrup can allow for a better heel alignment in a balanced rider in a saddle with a less than ideal stirrup bar position - that's just physics... But whatever :rolleyes:
 
skint1 said:
I suspect though that a shorter stirrup hides some core instability in my seat but the main thing I want to achieve is not hindering or bouncing about on my horse.
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Hear hear! Something I also tried to achieve, I used to spend many hours in the saddle, long hacks, hunting and fun rides and tried to make myself as easy a possible for my horse to carry, the least I could do whist expecting him to cart me about for miles!
 
Wagtail said:
My original point which you chose to take exception to was that modern saddles, even forward cut ones are well balanced and do not have forward stirrup bars so it is perfectly possible to comfortably sit in shoulder heel alignment. It is only some old or cheap tacky saddles that have a forward stirrup bar. And in such saddles then it doesn't matter a jot how long or short your stirrups are; they will put you in the 'chair seat'. As will a saddle that has correctly positioned stirrup bars but which is too narrow for the horse.

My post was not designed to point out what you did or didn't say. My second post was merely agreeing with you about what you said. I found your prickly reaction slightly amusing. Sorry about that.
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Totally agree with you. All my school horses had GP's, they allow the rider to ride both dressage length and shorter for jumping, hence the name GP, general purpose.
I have a GP myself and have no problem having long stirrups for dressage and then going up six holes for jumping.

Unless you plan to specialise a GP is a very useful saddle.

As to the length you choose to ride at depends on a variable number of things. Your height, length of legs, suppleness, I ride shorter now than I used to. Your security, shorter stirrups are far safer when riding something cheeky as you have your thigh ahead of you more meaning it's harder for you to be ejected. The reason why we jump in shorter stirrups. Ideally until you decide to ride dressage length have the stirrup at a length where it reaches the ankle bone.
A drawback of short stirrups is that you may not be able to use your legs as effectively.
 
EKW said:
Right children! Wheesht!

Everyone should ride bareback and be done with it!
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I would fall off these days bare back-as it hurts when I hit the deck (I am aging) I would like to keep my saddle-you can take my stirrups away, well not away as I covert the soft supple leather of my English leather stirrups so would like to be able to to keep them for touching and smelling to gain my lovely leather fix!!!
 
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