Stirrup buying...for a numpty... help needed please!

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Clofox

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Hi all,
I'am in need of some stirrups and leathers. I currently have a mare on loan and use owners saddle,i have my stirups on 3rd from top hole with a twist:o i have very short legs! when cantering i constantly loose my stirrups, even when on top hole i feel like a jockey and like i could just jump and spring off! My friend has suggested i get my own.. but i have never bought anything like this before... i need your help please! someone please explain it all to me!:o how do i know what stirrups widths and what size leathers!? if anyone has any recomendations that would be fab, only for general purpose use couple times a week, havents started my jumping yet hoping to next spring!

any help appreciated:D:D
 
stirrup widths go on how wide your riding boot is. There should be a 1/2 inch gap on each side of your boot. Stirrup leathers, if you really ride that short either get childrens or jockey leathers. measure how long you ride in now (obviously double it) and add afew inches for leaway.
However, if you are riding that short for normal riding you wont be able to help your horse with your legs. Definitely recommend dropping a few holes.
 
Wouldn't it be easier and cheaper just to punch some more holes in the leathers that you are already using rather than buying your own? That would save you changing them over if you are switching between you and your friend riding. It is also safer than putting twists in the leather (which puts unnecessary wear and tear on it).
 
Thanks for your help,
Unbalanced-that's a good idea however my stirrups are still to wide, I suppose I could just get the right width stirrup and punch holes in the leathers!

Cuppatea- thanks for the help, I think I will need child leathers,the leathers I use currently would be for a very tall adult. Even with my short stirrups my feet are still wrapped round her belly so there not jockey length,I have tried dropping a few holes but I just loose them constantly, so I think maybe punching holes or new leathers will be the way forward:D
 
Go to a good shop with your riding boots on and try some out. If you can go for safety stirrups. The shop should be able to help you with it all! Take the old leathers as well.

You might be able to pick up some second hand ones but riding with a knot is probably quite uncomfortable too on your leg. Good luck
 
I do not recommend punching leather with the gadget sold by tack shops., the stirrup leather holes are oval, and should be done by a saddler or it will not be a good job.
You should measure the length you need, and get leathers to suit, I agree with safety stirrups, peacock for children or others which are more expensive, it is best to take advice from a good saddler, if there is one in your area.
 
Go to a saddler as MrsD advises, we DO use an oval punch to punch the holes, not a round punch. Childrens leathers should not be used by anyone over 6 stone, they are too narrow but if you are under that weight, fine.A saddler can shorten a new pair of leathers or make you a shorter pair to suit your length of leg.
Again, any peacock irons sized for children should not be used for adults.
You can get bent leg irons that are small, I would go for those if you want safety irons.
 
unbalanced said:
Wouldn't it be easier and cheaper just to punch some more holes in the leathers that you are already using rather than buying your own? That would save you changing them over if you are switching between you and your friend riding. It is also safer than putting twists in the leather (which puts unnecessary wear and tear on it).
Click to expand...
I would scream and shout if someone decided to do this to my leathers, it will weaken them.
 
I'd buy new leathers rather than punch too. I ruined some leathers punching in slightly the wrong place, they never felt even. :rolleyes:
 
Surely if you can get extra-long leathers, you must be able to get extra-short ones?:confused:

As someone else said, measure the width of your boot sole then allow an extra inch so you have a gap, I would probably just order a set that are the same as whatever you use now tbh as that's what you'll be used to and you're only using them a couple of times a week. Don't forget to see whether or not they need the rubber treads, if you need to order them separately they only cost a couple of quid, if that. I had to get my own stirrups and leathers too when I was riding a pony as my legs were too long and my feet too wide for the ones on his saddle, I just got basic ones from Robinsons and they did me just fine:)
 
Thanks for all your help, I'm defentaily going to get my own leathers and stirups will speak to saddler re leathers but will try and get stirrups online if poss if not in the shop too,
So what part of my boot do i need to measure? and then whatever the measurment is i need to add half an inch each side?
 
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