Stirrup leather lengths

Vikki89

Vikki89

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Do you change the length of you stirrups depending on what your going to do?
I have my stirrups the same length for schooling, hacking and dressage and put them a hole shorter for sj and xc.
Cant decide which length to have them at for tomorrows fun ride, 10 miles with optional xc jumps, never been on one before, what do you think?
 
Well i ride in a riding school so my stirrup lengths change depending on the horse :p

Normally i have flatwork length stirrups to begin with. If we do any jumping i put it up 2 holes, and then a further hole if we do cross country.

I recently read that Mary King put her stirrups up 7 holes from dressage for showjumping, and another 2 for XC. (PONY Mag) :p
 
Mine stay exactly the same for hacking, schooling, SJ and XC :D My dressage saddle only sees the light of day for ODEs, so obviously I ride longer then, but at home I never change them.

Vikki89 - which fun ride are you doing? We're probably going to Barbury tomorrow :) x
 
_MizElz_ said:
Mine stay exactly the same for hacking, schooling, SJ and XC :D My dressage saddle only sees the light of day for ODEs, so obviously I ride longer then, but at home I never change them.

Vikki89 - which fun ride are you doing? We're probably going to Barbury tomorrow :) x
Click to expand...

Also going to Barbury :)
Think Mystic will be quite excited and strong :rolleyes:
 
My flat work length stirrups alter between hole 1 and 3 on the leather (from the end, I'm tall) Hacking I'm on hole 3 And for jumping hole 5.
My stirrups are constantly being altered lol.
 
Its not so much how long your stirrups are but why they are the length they are.

Most people shorten their stirrups to jump because the greater bend in the knee allows you more cushioning over the jump and greater stability. The shorter your stirrups are (within reason!) the more stable you will feel.

On the other hand very long dressage type stirrup lengths allow for greater contact the length of the leg and more subtle aids from the seat.

So - decide what stirrup length you want according to what you want it to do for you and how you want to sit. If you think Mystic is going to be strong personally I'd opt for slightly shorter stirrups becuase it makes me feel more stable. But you might feel that actually Mystic would benefit from greater contact with your legs and seat in which case stay long. There is no right or wrong!
 
Go a hole shorter - to your xc length. That'll give you way more stability, easier on the long canters, and you'll be much more stable over the jumps - and have more control and power in your thigh if pony is strong. :):) Have a lovely ride!!
 
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