Sprenger-type stirrups vs 'hinged' ones

[PapaFrita]

I've got some sprenger stirrups which I love as I tend to get sore knees when I ride for a while, and was looking on eBay to get another pair. I noticed some which have a sort of hinged tread rather than a linked one (if that makes any sense?). How do they compare? Do they have the same effect?
Thanks

 

[lucemoose]

I like the 'link' of the sprengers, and some of the copies as it seems to be more absorbing of shock, compared to some of the cheap copies with a hinge where yes, there is movement but more jarring..
Gosh thats a long sentence, sorry!

 

[lucemoose]

I like the 'link/chain' of the sprengers, and some of the copies as it seems to be more absorbing of shock, compared to some of the cheap copies with a hinge where yes, there is movement but more jarring..
Gosh thats a long sentence, sorry!

 

[lucemoose]

poxyproxy error!

 

[PapaFrita]

Ah yes... I had noticed they were cheaper too!

I think I'll go for another pair of linked ones then. Thanks

 

[Capriole]

i tried the hinged ones but couldnt get to grips with them

 

[TarrSteps]

The stirrups with the hinge between the arm and the foot pad did have a brief popularity just before the Sprenger-type ones made an appearance. At that time we got two horses in to sell with saddles, one with each kind of stirrup so we took advantage, did a trade 'round and all tried both types. We all HATED the hinged ones - I found them very unstable with a weird feeling under my base of support and no shock absobtion. All they do is change the angle of the foot pad and I just found them so "loose" it felt like the stirrup was moving under my feet all the time - they are supposed to only hinge one way so they can't tip your foot forward but I still found the feeling unnerving. The other kind I loved and I have a Miller's set that are a portion of the price and seem to work just as well.

 

[flyingfeet]

I just tried out my metalab shock absorbing irons

Wow they are weird! The spring gives every time you do rising trot etc... Imagine they are fab for wonky knees

 

[PapaFrita]

Oh, I've seen those on eBay. Hadn't realised they were different from Sprenger/shires ones

 

[KatB]

Thorowgood T^ stirrups are as good as the sprengers and cheaper....

 

[flyingfeet]

Yes there are 3 basic varieties

1. Hinged - these flex in one direction
Shires, Royston, other makes circa £20
2. Sprenger system 4 & Bow Balance
These are hinged, but in two directions, so bend in half and to the side
3. Shock absorbers - Metalab & Jackobs
These are big springs and bend in all directions and move when you put weight on them (the others do not)

 

[flyingfeet]

Yes the Thorowgood are like the Sprengers with an extra joint, but still joints rather than springs.

 

[RachelB]

I got some hinged stirrups with my horse's tack when I bought her, I used them once and they are now at the bottom of my tub in the tack room. Long may they stay there - they are awful!!! I couldn't ride in them, they feel SO unstable, ans rising trot is a joke! I would hate to have to jump in them, I'd never make it out of the saddle!
I have ridden in Sprengers and I really liked them, they feel to me (I'm not a very 'substantial' person though) just like normal irons but with a bit of 'give' in them. If I had bad legs/ knees/ ankles I'd definately get the Sprengers/ similar. Wouldn't touch the hinged ones with a bargepole! Plus they squeak, must need some WD-40...!

 

[PapaFrita]

That's rather surprising really; I expected the sprenger ones to be unstable but they've been great, and I love them, I wouldn't have thought the hinged ones would be any different! I'm deffo giving them a miss then