Types of safety stirrup?

[DottlebangBandersnatch]

I am looking to invest in some safety stirrups after hearing a few too many horror stories of folk getting dragged! Unfortunately I can't afford any of the flex-ons or free jump variety (perhaps a possibility in the future!) So am more looking towards what is available on ebay/preloved/Facebook for around £25? Tell me if that seems unreasonable for second hand safety stirrups please as I really don't know. I currently ride in 4 1/4" korsteel stirrups that came free with a saddle I no longer use but I love them and have liked them more than any others I've used! Nice and grippy and don't find my feet slipping in them.

I have seen several types but haven't been able to find anything on what's actually safe or not. I have seen bent-leg, peacock (?) and sprenger (bendy rubber at the base). Right now probably looking more towards the sprenger. What do we enjoy using? I have heard that peacock have a weight limit and can snap at the worst times and also that bent legs are just as safe as normal stirrups so don't have added benefits. What have people found the most effective/safe? Any info helpful as am quite unsure on what to get! Thanks

 

[Skib]

Sprenger will cost more than £25. I treasure mine and use them to hack. But they are not made of bendy rubber. The rubber sleeve covers a patent spring.
I dont take mine to lessons. I just had a riding lesson in normal stirrups.

 

[dixie]

You’ll be lucky to get a pair for £25 - maybe £50 if second hand?
I’ve also got some Barnes Buckles which attach to your current stirrups and are good but they don’t make them any more. There’s a similar style but I can’t think of it atm. Someone else on here might come up with an idea.
I’m sure there’s a few more people can suggest.

 

[DottlebangBandersnatch]

Sprenger will cost more than £25. I treasure mine and use them to hack. But they are not made of bendy rubber. The rubber sleeve covers a patent spring.
I dont take mine to lessons. I just had a riding lesson in normal stirrups.

Ah thank you that is exactly the kind of information I needed! Nobody tells you about a spring inside them I can imagine that would be a lot safer. Shame they cost a bit more though. What about off brand ones? Would they have similar safety concepts? Less inclined to buy it if I don't know how safe it is.

 

[DottlebangBandersnatch]

You’ll be lucky to get a pair for £25 - maybe £50 if second hand?
I’ve also got some Barnes Buckles which attach to your current stirrups and are good but they don’t make them any more. There’s a similar style but I can’t think of it atm. Someone else on here might come up with an idea.
I’m sure there’s a few more people can suggest.

Haha I'm starting to think I don't know what sprenger stirrups are! I meant the ones that look like normal stirrups but with rubber (with a spring inside! Just discovered) that bends and prevents your foot from getting stuck and consequently dragged behind galloping horse! What do Barnes buckles do? This I'd all very interesting to me lol. Thanks

 

[DottlebangBandersnatch]

Yes sorry just looked up sprenger stirrups and saw it was a brand. Silly me. I mean just any old bendy rubber stirrup and have questions about the safety elements of it! Sorry for the confusion

 

[teddypops]

I have tech Venice safety stirrups (very expensive- were a present!) and I also have bent leg stirrups. Definitely don’t go for peacock stirrups, they do have a weight limit, 7 stones I think, so are really just for kids. I do have the bendy stirrups you are speaking about but I heard so many horror stories of them breaking, I don’t use them now! For £25 your best bet would be bent leg.

 

[catkin]

Having used Sprenger bits and the copies there is a very big difference. I would think the stirrups are the same - I would want the real thing, you do get what you pay for and safety equipment that has bad consequences if it fails ain't something I'd want to chance.

 

[Polos Mum]

I have fake Sprengers and have had 3 pairs the first for more than 10 years without issue (I am sure someone somewhere has had them break but the mega bucks plastic ones break too) Was it Paul Tapner at a big 5 star that had a pair break in the SJ ?!?

I like the bendy ones because they are gentle on ageing knees / hips and you can see how they would work safety wise if you were at a funny angle the bottom bends right up so it's really hard to get a foot trapped.

If you wanted to be extra cautious you could cut off the rubber and check the quality of the chain / spring underneath (I think my cheap ones have a basic chain from the feel) then reattach the rubber

 

[dixie]

This is the Barnes Buckle
https://www.horsetalk.co.nz/2013/10/18/barnes-buckle-safety-stirrup-attachment/

I did find they didn’t attach very well to the newer stirrups as they’re too thick. Good concept tho.

 

[webble]

I have smart rider ones which are great and you would probably get since second hand foot that price

 

[ponynutz]

Honestly I'd say invest a little more in the stirrups themselves because the rubber bands are replaceable and only cost about a fiver per bag (which often have 2 or 3 bands in them). You should maybe be able to get some stirrups second hand for around £50 maybe, at a push, down to £30.

 

[Gloi]

I use Kwik out which I've had for years and found really good.