stirrup leathers - too thick?!

[outandabout]

I recently treated myself to some new stirrup leathers and bought the Amigo nylon core type - unfortunately they seem to be rather thick and consequently make running the stirrups up and down a pain in the bum!! Do I resign myself to the fact that I have wasted £50 ( ) or will they flatten down in time and become easier to use?

 

[supercowpony]

I'm pretty sure they'll get easier! My stirrups are really thick leather, they must be around half an inch thick, and they were stiff when I first started using them, but now they run up and down a lot better. they do need a bit more of a pull when adjusting compared to normal leathers, but on the bright side they won't be breaking anytime soon!

 

[Scoundrel]

I had this problem when i got the jeffried nylon core ones for my jumping saddle. It dawned on me one day that it was the hole through which the leather passes that was quite small - so quick stirrup swap with the ones on my dressage saddle and absolutely fine. Never even realised the hole would be a different size on different stirrup brands. x

 

[outandabout]

*bump*

Anyone else got any encouraging stories?

Not too keen on buying more stirrups as I have a fairly new set of flexi-irons but if anyone has any suggestions for a brand that have a larger hole I would be glad to hear them

 

[Indigo Moose]

The nylon core ones are designed not to stretch, and therefore are unlikely to get any thinner. I hate the nylon core ones, I think they're a stupid idea - if you fell and the leather would not come off the saddle, it wouldn't snap either, and you could be dragged and seriously injured. Ebay them and get yourself a proper pair.

 

[outandabout]

I take your point, but have never had a 'proper' pair come off the saddle or snap in the event of an accident in my 20 years of riding (including incidents where I have been dragged and you would expect them to come off or snap). In any case, the nylon core leathers come off the saddle perfectly easily, it's the stirrups that seem to be the problem!

Very reluctant to ebay them as will basically lose most of my £50, in addition to having to buy yet another set of leathers, which I can ill-afford to do

 

[Indigo Moose]

Ah, it's the stirrup irons that are the problem. New irons are in order then - again try eBay, you can get some bargains.

 

[outandabout]

Blast, I thought that might be the case.

Anyone got any recommendations for some flexi-stirrups with a larger hole (sigh!) that won't break the bank? They have to be flexi-stirrups or similar as my knees are not what they once were!

 

[NeverSayNever]

i have the amigos and they are lovely! they are thicker and i use barnes buckles on my stirrups, the only problem i find is that if i run them up quickly the barnes buckles scratch the leathers that said, id never use them without the barnes buckles for fear they wouldnt come away if i came off

 

[domane]

I had the same problem with reinforced leathers and not only found them awkward to manoevre or adjust but also found they were very bulky under my thigh against the saddle. I went from one extreme to the other and bought some of the Wintec dressage leathers and they were SO much more comfortable (although awkward in an entirely different way to adjust!!! )