Stirrups etc for old knacker with a buggered knee?

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Hovis_and_SidsMum

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Whilst only the tender age of 31 I have a body a 90 year old would not be proud of. Too much hard living, silly activities and a refusal to believe I am not unbreakable have meant that even though i carry an organ donation card I'm highly likley to get a "no thanks" when my time comes.
One of my many afflicted body parts is my left knee which is according to my highly respected surgeon "shot to sh*t" and is once again giving me immense grief. I'm having MRI scan number lord knows what on friday and assuming they refuse to do any more surgery on the knee hope to grit my teeth and get back on the Destroyer soon.
Can anyone recommend any stirrups that might help the shock aborbancy?
 
There are some with vulcanite covered springs in them meant for shock absorbtion for the life of me cant think of the name i have a pair i used to use for jumping my very hyper active horsey.
 
Numerous different types, but I don't think the H&H forum has come to a conclusion on hinges versus air and springs

So in order of type

Hinged plate stirrups - hinged at the bottom

Flexible stirrups - hinged at the sides - Cheapish Shires, JW, MT etc etc
Expenseive flexible stirrups - mutliple joints (hinges), Sprenger and T6

Spring stirrups - metalab

Air stirrups - metalab

I've got cheap flexi and metalab springs, the springs are a bit weird to begin with but I'd say they reduce concussion on the joints. Depends whether it the angle or the jolting that's giving you trouble.
 
I've got the T6 (Thorowgood) stirrups and find them very comfortable. Can also recommend the bent irons which you can pick up for £19, mine are made by Korsteel.
 
My knees are well dodgy from various sporting excesses. I used to cringe when I dismounted as I knew they would hurt but that's a thing of the past since I bought the Sprenger flexi Stirrups!! Not cheap but worth it IMO.
 
I use the flexi stirrups and have found them to be excellent for my bad knees. No more seizing up when I dismount, but still walk like a cowboy lol
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I have more problems with my knees than I will bore you all with surfice to say 14 treatments later, I use Sprenger Bow Balance and they are fantastic I also have a standard pair of Sprengers and would recommend either but prefer the Bow Balance
 
I have osteochrondritis affecting both knees (similar to arthritis) and practically no cartlidge in the right one after an op. If i ride any shorter than schooling length for more than half an hour, I am crippled. I borrowed a friends sprengers (bow balance) for a mock hunt on boxing day & after 2 HOURS with xc length stirrups, galloping and jumping loads I couldn't believe it. not even a twinge!!!!!! the rest of me barely ached either. they seemed to absorb all the impact in my knees and hips and ankles and everything. amazing. saying that i still haven't splashed the cash and bought some myself, but I definiately will!!

i would also recommend good boots. I have nice hunter jod boots, which i took for granted until I forgot them one day and borrowed a friends cheepy ones that were at the yard. holey shite, the shock when i jumped off horse nearly shattered the remains of my knees. so good boots will help absorb impact and help your knees too.

doc said when i was 20, that if i stopped riding and doing impact sports then i might not need a knee replacement till i am 40. 12 years later i certainly haven't stopped riding or jumping and i am doing ok just now maybe these fabby stirrups will give me a bit longer.
 
As others have said, Sprenger! Yummy scrummy, no more sore ankles for me
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. No knee problems, but ankles can get a bit iffy. In 'normal' irons my ankles start crying
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Keep meaning to let daughter borrow as she has wonky knees, but afraid I won't get them back. Bad Mummy!
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sprenger, definitely. and they're half the price in Germany, if you know anyone over there or anyone who's going...! i can't tell the difference between their Bow Balance and their usual ones though, my knee's happy with either!
 
Sprenger system 4 for me too. I got them off ebay. S'hand but as good as new. £30!
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You can pick up s'hand ones on ebay for about £45 normally.
 
I got some flexi irons on ebay for £12.50, theyr'e probably not as good as named brands, but they have def helped my dodgy knee and ankle!
 
I am very tempted by these, but keep reading "The Bow Balance stirrup provides an improved leg position" and I think, how? How can they? Am I being dim? Is a normal stirrup something else we fight against when trying to sit correctly? Extraordinary claims always put me off buying things. Has anyone actually found this? (Not trying to hijack thread so ignore me if I am.)
 
like i say. first time i rode in sprenger system 4 was at a mock hunt. hoss was hyped and bouncy and there was loads of compulsory gallops and jumps
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spent two hours with short leathers. Not only did the stirrups help me with the knees thing, but i really felt a difference in my leg position too. I seemed to be able to keep them down and stiller when jumping & cantering, enough to notice and be conscious of it during the ride.

i would want to try them again to consolidate that. but first impressions were be enough to part me with £90.
 
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