Stirrup recommendations (again!) - bad ankles

[mini_b]

Ok I know we love a good “what should I use” thread.
I will preface this with I don’t have ankle/knee pain as a general issue but my ankles are pretty “locked” due to an injury. Both are screwed back together and I do exercises etc but I think there is a limit to how much movement I will ever get back.

I spend a lot of time trying to improve my lower leg (standing in stirrups/forward seat) but I could do with a bit of help.

My lower leg does swing back which is a weakness in my seat but struggle to get the weight down the back of my leg naturally as I can’t really lift my toes.

I’m aware of several issues and stirrups won’t magically fix it but if I could use something that helps me angle my foot a bit better that’s what I’m getting at.

currently using standard Jin stirrups. Like them as I never lose them, love the weight and grippy foot bed.
tried flexi stirrups, like sprengers. Didn’t get on with them.

I’ve been eyeing up a pair of flex ons with the studs in the tread, don’t know the model name. I do event so would like safe. Don’t like them too light either.
Price not massive issue to a degree. (Not ophena prices!!)

 

[Barton Bounty]

Flex ons! The best investment for me ?

 

[mini_b]

Flex ons! The best investment for me ?

which ones did you get and what have they helped you with? It’s so subjective!!

a girl at the yard rides with flex ons (she’s amazing doesn’t need any gadgetry help!) so I could always try these before I buy.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I got these, £186 i think, not safety ones because at the angle they are at your foot will easily fall out should it need to ?

 

[Barton Bounty]

The difference is astonishing! I really didn’t expect it to be , I have joint hyper mobility and osteoarthritis and I no longer have a sore back or hips or knees after I ride ?

 

[Spotherisk]

I have Metalabs which are nice and heavy, and have springs. They are blissfully good and stopping joint pain.

 

[peanutsmumma]

I have the acavallo opera stirrups and they have helped me massively.
I suffer from knee and ankle pain due to a riding accident but since using them, I hardly experience any pain. Ive never been able to do long rides because of being so uncomfortable but recently I've managed to do 2.5hrs without feeling uncomfortable at all!

 

[mini_b]

I have the acavallo opera stirrups and they have helped me massively.
I suffer from knee and ankle pain due to a riding accident but since using them, I hardly experience any pain. Ive never been able to do long rides because of being so uncomfortable but recently I've managed to do 2.5hrs without feeling uncomfortable at all!

That’s great!! For me it’s not the pain that’s the problem, its lack of mobility in my ankle that’s stopping me absorb as much, so my knees take the brunt and then I just brace my whole lower leg but weight isn’t through the back of my leg it’s just rigid.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Try your friends first, I find the incline and the grip are the perfect balance, although they are heavy enough , when dismounting I have clunked myself on the head loads but thats cause I am a midget ?

 

[peanutsmumma]

That’s great!! For me it’s not the pain that’s the problem, its lack of mobility in my ankle that’s stopping me absorb as much, so my knees take the brunt and then I just brace my whole lower leg but weight isn’t through the back of my leg it’s just rigid.

I dont have feeling in my lover right leg and because of that, I found I would loose my stirrup in canter.
These stirrups have a large angled tread with a cheese grater type surface so they keep my foot in place which is also a massive help to me.

 

[mini_b]

I dont have feeling in my lover right leg and because of that, I found I would loose my stirrup in canter.
These stirrups have a large angled tread with a cheese grater type surface so they keep my foot in place which is also a massive help to me.

Super - have you found they help with your lower leg positioning at all?

 

[fidleyspromise]

Not sure if they'd suit you at all but I got Raddery Equine Flex stirrups and find them to be great.
I had pain in ankle when rode every time and none with these. Not sure if they'd help with mobility.

 

[sbloom]

I recommend the Safestyle stirrups, they work for a lot of people, though of course not everyone, and aren't expensive in the scheme of things. I would work with your saddle fitter and a biomechs coach to help you with the lower leg, you're seeking contact with the horse's side and wrapping our "two straight lines" legs around a curved surface will always be a challenge, many people who manage to bring their leg in directly underneath them is doing it in tension.

 

[mini_b]

I recommend the Safestyle stirrups, they work for a lot of people, though of course not everyone, and aren't expensive in the scheme of things. I would work with your saddle fitter and a biomechs coach to help you with the lower leg, you're seeking contact with the horse's side and wrapping our "two straight lines" legs around a curved surface will always be a challenge, many people who manage to bring their leg in directly underneath them is doing it in tension.

i would say that when I can get my leg underneath me I’m definitely tense! My coach does do biomechanics work so it’s all something we are working on!

 

[peanutsmumma]

Super - have you found they help with your lower leg positioning at all?

Yes, they have made a huge difference to my leg position.