Stirrup length for monoflap saddle

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AppyLover1996

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Hi Guys,

I've recently splurged and gotten Baggs and I a lush new monoflap cross country style saddle which I am over the moon with!

I've only done the one ride but when I got off I was aching slightly. My stirrups were at the same normal length I rode in my other saddle (standard GP style saddle) so I can't see why I was aching slightly. I've not done any injuries to myself, the saddle fits both Baggs and I really well and everything seems awesome (I even sat an excited bronc when we were walking down a bridleway we normal canter down!)

Is there a different rule for stirrup length and monoflap saddles or just my body adjusting to the new monoflap saddle please? :)
 
Were they the same length as in same hole, or same length as in how far down the horses side/how much bend you have in your leg? I've found I've had to change stirrups by a hole or two on different saddles to account for the different placement of the stirrup bars/different seat shape etc.
 
SpeedyPony said:
Were they the same length as in same hole, or same length as in how far down the horses side/how much bend you have in your leg? I've found I've had to change stirrups by a hole or two on different saddles to account for the different placement of the stirrup bars/different seat shape etc.
Click to expand...
Same length as both on the same hole x I had the same bend in my leg etc which is why I'm puzzled as to why I ached for a day or two after the ride aha x It is my first time properly riding in a monoflap - most of my saddles have been dual flap, but I went for monoflap this time round on advice from the saddler :)
 
Definitely puzzling then! It might be worth playing about with length to see if it makes a difference? I've no monoflap specific experience to speak of I'm afraid- I've only ever ridden in them on other people's horses and so everything was different, not just the saddle.
 
I doubt it's the fact it's a monoflap but being an xc saddle it will be more forward cut and the seat with probably be shallower than a standard GP type so it will put you in a difference position and balance as they are designed to be ridden in with a more forward position. Adjust your stirrups to a length where you are in balance rather than comparing it to your "old" length.
 
What part of your body is aching? Ankles? Hips? Base of your Spine?

It could be the width of the saddle which is stretching you?

I have my own stirrup leathers and irons and I fit them to the saddle of any RS horse I am given to hack. I cant ride a wide horse or flat backed cob but the normal GP saddles owned by RSs seem to give me about the same length. I am told that I hack with my stirrups longer than most people and this would suggest that I have more weight in my seat.

That fits in with the "classical" way I was taught: to have my weight on my seat bones, sitting back in the saddle and not on my crotch which was the other dressage option.
The only saddle that didnt work for me was a Jessica dressage saddle.

If you are used to riding forward seat, that is the opposite to me. I was used to sitting canter even out hacking. But on my present share, who has a bumpy canter, I need to take my weight out of the saddle. I do this by putting my weight in my heels. This lowers my legs and raises my seat. Not a true forward seat, but just some of the weight out of the saddle. I try to keep my heels down while cantering and to use a touch of lower leg every stride, just to remind the mare that I am riding her and ultimately I am in charge.
 
Skib said:
What part of your body is aching? Ankles? Hips? Base of your Spine?

It could be the width of the saddle which is stretching you?

I have my own stirrup leathers and irons and I fit them to the saddle of any RS horse I am given to hack. I cant ride a wide horse or flat backed cob but the normal GP saddles owned by RSs seem to give me about the same length. I am told that I hack with my stirrups longer than most people and this would suggest that I have more weight in my seat.

That fits in with the "classical" way I was taught: to have my weight on my seat bones, sitting back in the saddle and not on my crotch which was the other dressage option.
The only saddle that didnt work for me was a Jessica dressage saddle.

If you are used to riding forward seat, that is the opposite to me. I was used to sitting canter even out hacking. But on my present share, who has a bumpy canter, I need to take my weight out of the saddle. I do this by putting my weight in my heels. This lowers my legs and raises my seat. Not a true forward seat, but just some of the weight out of the saddle. I try to keep my heels down while cantering and to use a touch of lower leg every stride, just to remind the mare that I am riding her and ultimately I am in charge.
Click to expand...

It was my right ankle, knee and hip - I do have a history of injuring that side quite severely so was thinking an old injury could be to blame, but not the entire cause of the aching x
 
As mentioned above it will place you differently and potentially have a lot less blocks holding you in so you have to ride off your own core a lot more and balance.
 
The monoflap part will mean your leg may go back more, are you feeling a little bit "out the front door?" or in some other way realise you're more over your foot? This will change how your muscles work and may or may not mean you need to change your stirrup length.

Otherwise it's more likely to do with something about the seat shape which affects where our knees get "sent" and, especially, that the distance between the bars can be very different. Imagine measuring from your stirrup over the horse's back (or the seat of the saddle) to the other stirrup and yes, on the same horse this distance is likely to remain the same, but if the stirrup bars are lower/wider then your stirrups need to be shorter to keep the distance the same, or vice versa.

This explains the seat and flap issues although from a slightly different perspective:

stephaniebloomsaddlefitter.co.uk

The Search for Knee Room

Knee space chair seat and in saddles, causes, and how to improve how the rider sits.
stephaniebloomsaddlefitter.co.uk stephaniebloomsaddlefitter.co.uk

***Be warned, monoflaps do not suit every rider and even if they suit the rider for riding some horses, it may not suit on all - closer isn't always better! We need support and contact in the right places, any marketing that says monoflaps are the best thing for everyone (as we also see narrow twists advertised, or close contact, or female friendly saddles) should be ignored! One size does not fit all....***

Saddle fitter specialising in rider optimisation.
 
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