Stirrup irons..advice needed

TrasaM

TrasaM

Well-Known Member
Joined
19 May 2012
Messages
4,742
Location
Midlands
Visit site
New horse has those safety stirrup things and I'm not entirely sure about them or how safe they are? I've noticed my right knee and ankle get uncomfortable in these.
Other horse has the bent iron type and my foot seems to end up slipping outwards in them and my weight comes down onto the outside of my foot.

Soooo Q.. Is there a good brand which won't cost me a fortune which are more flexible and supportive.


Ta :)
 
I was dragged after a fall, using bent leg stirrups. I now have Sprenger flexi ones. I work on the theory that, if I was lying paralysed in Stoke Mandeville hospital, £100 wouldn't seem very expensive after all.
 
That's my fear too. They don't feel secure to me. Suppose I can view them as an investment for the future as I can keep them for when I have my own GG
 
Peacock irons are not safe for adults so if it is those swap them asap. If you don't like bent leg irons (and I found they were hard on my ankles too ) there are lots of options. I have sprenger flexi irons now but others in my yard have the plastic ones that have a safety release. You can also use a cage on normal stirrups.
 
Thanks Kat..yes, they are the ones with the rubber bands on. I though I'd read somewhere that the peacock ones aren't safe for adults. :eek: :o
 
I thought you could get adult sized peacock ones, these days? I rode in peacocks for about 10 years with no problems. Think I only switched because I was always snapping the bands on trees!
 
Yes, you can get adult sized peacock stirrups. Mine fit ok just nt sure about them.

So Sprengers.. I'm a size 6 or 39 foot so what size do I need to buy? Checked my boots and foot so I think poss 4 3/4 " ? .? :)
Looks like I will have my own supply of tack long before I buy a horse at this rate :p
 
I have sprengers and a pair of the Whitaker flexi stirrups and I can't tell the difference. :o
I bought the men's size - think they're 5 1/8th
 
Peacock irons will bend even with a lightweight adult, however large or substantial they look (been there, done that, won't do it again!!!).

Have you ridden in flexi stirrups before? check that you like the feeling, not everyone does - sometimes your ankle can seem too flexible if you see what I mean.

there are also safety stirrups with a release mechanism available which are more like 'solid' irons in feel. They are quite expensive but would say on a par with sprengers in price.
 
Just a note re the Sprenger stirrups...

A friend of mine was out leading a 3 hour ride at the trekking centre we worked at when the bottom half fell off! Turns out the hinges inside were rusted and just broke :eek:
 
I have sprengers. They were a pressie when I had my boy and one if the things I kept when I sold him. I've just dug them out as I rode my new share for the first time tonight and my ankles hurt. I was also riding in bent irons and I hate them.

Love my sprengers!!!
 
atlantis said:
I have sprengers. They were a pressie when I had my boy and one if the things I kept when I sold him. I've just dug them out as I rode my new share for the first time tonight and my ankles hurt. I was also riding in bent irons and I hate them.

Love my sprengers!!!
Click to expand...

Oooh.. How was the new share horse? :) and please what size are your Sprengers?
 
I am size 6 (or 39) boot and my sprengers are 4 3/4". I like mine too. They've been used regularly & often for the past 5yrs and look like new.
 
TrasaM said:
New horse has those safety stirrup things and I'm not entirely sure about them or how safe they are? I've noticed my right knee and ankle get uncomfortable in these.
Other horse has the bent iron type and my foot seems to end up slipping outwards in them and my weight comes down onto the outside of my foot.
Click to expand...

That's interesting, I've been having the same thing in bent leg but with my left leg!
 
hnmisty said:
That's interesting, I've been having the same thing in bent leg but with my left leg!
Click to expand...

I only noticed it for the first time last week when I did a longer hack than usual. I'm very right sided so I was thinking that was why ? Either was I suspect it's got something to do with me getting very tight down the outside if my right leg and hip.
 
I'm a 5 (38) and I've just measured and they are 4 1/2 inches from the inside if the rubber to the inside of the rubber, if you get me.

Share horse was lovely. I've done a post but I think it's gone down the pages. I want to buy stuff now (only I'm not thinking stirrups I'm thinking dressage saddles lol)!!!!!!
 
atlantis said:
I'm a 5 (38) and I've just measured and they are 4 1/2 inches from the inside if the rubber to the inside of the rubber, if you get me.

Share horse was lovely. I've done a post but I think it's gone down the pages. I want to buy stuff now (only I'm not thinking stirrups I'm thinking dressage saddles lol)!!!!!!
Click to expand...

I noticed .. I ordered some tendon boots earlier because the ones he's got have leather straps and I'm worried that they will bruise his tendon .. :o im also thinking of changing his bit although owner just got him one which fits after I'd pointed out that his didn't fit. maybe we should just gone and bought the horse as well lol.
 
I have to say the saddle would be for me. Obviously it would help horsie too.

I've also found some brushing boots in my magic box which I'll try as he is very narrow behind but his skin is so delicate they might rub.

Do you feel weird posting on a public forum about someone else's horse? I don't want to use his name or anything it seems odd!!
 
atlantis said:
I have to say the saddle would be for me. Obviously it would help horsie too.

I've also found some brushing boots in my magic box which I'll try as he is very narrow behind but his skin is so delicate they might rub.

Do you feel weird posting on a public forum about someone else's horse? I don't want to use his name or anything it seems odd!!
Click to expand...

Know what you mean about the saddle and tack. You and I will be viewing horse's trying to find one that fits our new tack purchases like the prince in Cinderella .
Yes, know what you mean about posting pics and details. I have a lovely photo on face book of us both. But some not so good ones with me sitting hunter style and my butt on the back of saddle as it didn't fit either of us. :o
 
Hhm maybe no photos until you have a new saddle then.

My boys wintec is fine it doesn't get in the way or anything but it does nothing to help either. I like the sound of the isabell cos people say it holds you in a position which I think I need. I have ridden one but it was years ago.

I can't wait to do my et course now. Only 3 weeks away and the whole yard were offering horses for case studies when I told them!!
 
I'm sure you will, but just wanted to say if you are changing tack etc with a share horse, please go through the owner.

I have a specific clause in my share agreement that sharer must use the tack provided etc.

This does sound like a different situation as you mentioned he had a badly fitting saddle, but I would be horrified if my sharer started throwing her own tack on my horse, or trying different bits etc. It was bad enough when she was struggling with my safety stirrups so kept swapping them to ride and putting them back on back to front which drove me potty:-)
 
JulesRules said:
I'm sure you will, but just wanted to say if you are changing tack etc with a share horse, please go through the owner.

I have a specific clause in my share agreement that sharer must use the tack provided etc.

This does sound like a different situation as you mentioned he had a badly fitting saddle, but I would be horrified if my sharer started throwing her own tack on my horse, or trying different bits etc. It was bad enough when she was struggling with my safety stirrups so kept swapping them to ride and putting them back on back to front which drove me potty:-)
Click to expand...

Thanks Jules :) .. . I made sure she was absolutely happy with the new saddle and how it fitted and didn't feel any pressure to keep it. The stirrups I will change though as it's my safety and comfort at stake. At the moment it's just me who rides him most days so there won't be a problem if I change stirrup irons. I'm happy to cough up for the additional extras as long as she's not offended by my doing it.
 
Just want up say the same. I'd never change anything without going through the owner. Having been the owner of a share myself I know how it feels to be both sides.

I'm just speculating really but they are very happy for me to have my own stirrups lol. The teenager has much longer legs than me so I would be putting random holes in her leathers which would be unnecessary.

Very sensible post though and if I were the owner and had read this thread I might have been concerned so thanks. I just can't help getting excited and maybe a bit carried away.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top