Springy Stirrups!

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MICHAELA8228

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Hi,

Does anyone out there use 'spring loaded' stirrups, if so are they any good??

I've seen several makes advertised with a BIG variance on price and was wondering if they are any good. I read that they can help with joint pain when riding - is this the case?

Any recomendations/thoughts welcome.........

Thanks
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Not sure what you mean by spring loaded. I have the sprenger jointed ones and they are excellent. My ankles used to cramp when I had been riding for over 30 minutes but I havent had any bother at all since I got these. They are pricey but in my opinion well worth it as before I got them I quite often had to stop in the middle of a lesson/competition warm up as my ankles would get so painful. I just got mine at my local saddlery - their web is www.saddlery.biz.

Does anyone local have them - you could always borrow a set to see how you get on before you invest!
 
I have the cheapo sprenger copies and they do help my knees and ankles. They are just a jointed arm covered in a rubber sleeve and are very similar to normal stirrup irons to ride in.
My OH has posh Metalab ones and when he got them, they squeaked like mad so he peeled back the rubber sleeve and doused them in oil. When you ride in them you can feel them "bouncing" with the horse- almost a bungie feel. I didnt like them at first but now i am used to them, they are ok. He loves them and he seems to keep his stirrups better.
 
I've got the cheap spring loaded ones (Robinsons own brand). The difference isn't major, but I do like them. I got them after I sprained my hip to help take the pressure off, and I definately feel less sore after riding in them. I've also got very stiff ankles, and I think they help there with improving my leg position without me being tempted to try and force my heels down.

Another unexpected benefit is that they seem to make a major difference to keeping your toes warm in the current weather. When I get back from a hack all the other riders are moaning about loss of feeling in their feet and pain when they get off and land on them, and mine feel completely normal.
 
I use the Thorowgood T6 version which are as good as the sprengers but ALOT cheaper. I also have a cheapo copy on my dressage saddle, but dont like them as much. The cheaper ones can be dangerous as they just fold in half, so cn actually trap the foot in a fall....
 
I've got the metalab spring ones, and they cushion your knees and joints more than the jointed variety.

I don't have any joint pain so I went back to my aussie ones in case I hit the deck!
 
I also have the cheap ones and I thought thay made a difference for the better but I must abmit I wouldn't mind a go on some of the more expensive ones to see if the difference is major. Does your tack shop have saddle you could put them on to try in the shop?
 
These sounds great, after a long hack, or after hunting I am barely able to walk, I have had 3 unsucessful knee ops and now just live with the varying pain.

I do have to blame this forum though for my poverty as I find out about so many new cool products on here!

I've already bought heated insoles on my lunch break!

My riding will be getting a lot comfier now with warm feet and less strain on the knees!

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I have flexi stirrups - asked for them for Crimbo to help with my knee pain and I love them already! They are "bouncier" than normal rigid irons, and they are very comfortable and feel lighter than my old irons. I love them!
 

I have the Sprenger ones and I think they are great, they help keep my feet in the correct position as well!!
 
I have the sprenger 4 system. They really do help with knee pain. Actually, thinking about it, I havent had hip pain since using them either although that wasnt the major problem!

I didnt like them for schooling initially but have got used to them.

I got mine off ebay S'hand.
 
If you bite the bullet and get some, I bet you won't regret it!

I've got two pairs of Sprengers, one of the original type with the black rubber treads and sides, and one pair of the Bow Balance ones (they have angled sides and a royal blue insert in the tread - I think they are slightly more expensive).

I love them both and don't really have a preference, the Bow Balance ones are easier to get back quickly if you lose a stirrup, because of the way they are angled, other than that they feel the same when you are actually riding. I don't get the aching ankles that I used to!

Someone I know has had surgery on her knees and swears by her Sprengers
 
One daughter has original Sprengers and loves them, I have cheap copies - just a jointed hinge, not multidirectional pivoting like Sprengers - and find my aging hips and ankles are no different in these than they are in normal stirrups. Elder daughter tried them and hates them. The genuine Sprengers are worth paying extra for, they really do work differently.
 
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