Stirrups recommendations

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Emma1703

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I've always ridden in bog standard stirrup irons but in May I bought a pair of flexi stirrup irons. I keep getting bad pains in my ankle even if I'm just walking out hacking. I've only just clicked it's most likely the stirrup irons! Tried changing my riding boots and even the shoes I wear to work!
Has anyone else had problems like this? They weren't a cheapo pair. And what stirrup irons do people suggest? Ideally don't want to fork out loads for a new pair!
 
I am about to buy a set of Sprenger bow balance as I have terrible trouble with my knee which was rebuilt after an accident as a teenager. My normal flexi stirrups just aren't working and it is affecting my position in the saddle because I'm in pain. They are expensive but reviews by people who use them for knee and ankle trouble are very positive.
 
I have normal bent safety irons and get on well with them. Share horse has just had his stirrups upgraded to sprengers and I can honestly say I really dislike them.
I found the wide stirrup treads on endurance stirrups good when my knee was giving me a lot of grief, not the prettiest things ever but they did the trick.
 
Try some with a wide foot bed.

My new instructor hates flexis as she says they actually make you more unstable in the saddle

Stirrups with a wide tread give your foot a bigger area.
It's helped me since I've moved from flexis to wide and I'm hypermobile with alot of ankle and knee pain
 
Sorry to hijack thread OP but it is interesting you both find a wider tread better. Can somebody point me in the direction of what I should look at rather than the Sprengers please as I have no idea what I am looking for. Ta muchly.
 
Thank you so much chaps89, as you say they aren't pretty but if they work it doesn't matter and they are not so staggeringly expensive if they don't. I'm quite keen to start doing longer rides as I originally bought my boy to take up endurance riding but knee pain has really put me off.
 
Off to have a look at these as well. More questions I'm afraid, my flexi stirrups are quite heavy and I am worried I would lose the composite ones all the time if they are too light. Does the wider tread help with keeping your feet in stirrups?
 
Lindylouanne said:
Off to have a look at these as well. More questions I'm afraid, my flexi stirrups are quite heavy and I am worried I would lose the composite ones all the time if they are too light. Does the wider tread help with keeping your feet in stirrups?
Click to expand...

Neither myself or my daughter have had a problem losing these stirrups as they do have a good tread on them.
 
I have had the Sprenger Bow Balance for Christmas and after initially taking a few sessions to get used to them, I now love them. I feel much more secure and they have improved my position. They do have a wider foot bed which is what I was looking for. My friend pulled all her calves in normal flexi stirrups but she rides with her heels much lower than me so I think naturally pushes down and the flexi allowed for too much drop in her heel. I do have very tight hamstrings so can't push my feels down far.
 
Slightlyconfused said:
Try some with a wide foot bed.

My new instructor hates flexis as she says they actually make you more unstable in the saddle

Stirrups with a wide tread give your foot a bigger area.
It's helped me since I've moved from flexis to wide and I'm hypermobile with alot of ankle and knee pain
Click to expand...

My experience supports your instructors opinion; wide treads work far better for me than flexi irons. I have a damaged right knee and left ankle. The one thing I do find is that walking plays merry hell with my legs and back; the faster I go the more comfortable I am :D
 
Quick update and thank you for all the suggestions.

I was going to buy the Sprenger Bow Balance but after looking at some of the different stirrups you all kindly pointed me towards I ended up with a pair of Acavallo Opera Stirrups. They are composite with a lovely wide tread, very light and the leathers sit flat against the saddle with the stirrup facing forwards making them easier to find. I rode in them on Saturday for the first time and my knees and ankles didn't ache at all. I also felt much more secure in the saddle possible because I wasn't holding myself awkwardly to stop the pain. I always struggle dismounting because it hurts when my feet hit the floor so was pleasantly surprised when I almost bounced on landing, it was as though I had landed on a cushion. Would recommend them to anyone with dodgy joints, the difference was immediate.
 
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