heel lifts in Equitation

[jonem004]

I’ve been out of the H/J loop for a long time, but I’m looking into leasing a horse to do some local shows this summer. I recently saw a product online directed toward equitation riders. They were big, wedge shaped heel lifts. Like, WOAH! Is this a thing? I’m wanting to do adult eq (if that’s even a division). Using this product seems borderline unethical. Is this the norm? Is this something I will just have to suck it up and use if I want to be competitive? Is this show legal? Is everybody doing it and I’m a backward old bat? I can keep my heels down, but within the normal confines of human conformation. If I’m going to be riding against SUPER HEELS, I don’t know that I care to compete. HALP!

[beau159]

I have never seen such a thing. Interested to hear what the experienced COTHers say. (Looks like “cheating” to my eyes!)

[Milobloom]

I remember these back in the '90’s you used them while you broke in your new boots so they wouldn’t hurt the backs of your knees before they dropped.

Honestly if someone decides to use them I wouldn’t get to worked up about it, the heel may look lower but it won’t fix the rest of the leg. I would bet someone using this cheat isn’t putting in the time to have a strong leg.

[Training_Cupid]

I agree with @Milobloom it’s not that big a deal and not illegal in so far as the rules don’t prohibit it. Heels are just one factor in equitation; as long as they’re level or down you’re fine. Focus on the whole picture.

I have used lifts (not this brand) for new boots. I don’t think they really affected my riding, though I can’ tell if these are thicker.

[Ladylexie]

@Training Cupid

I agree with @Milobloom it’s not that big a deal and not illegal in so far as the rules don’t prohibit it. Heels are just one factor in equitation; as long as they’re level or down you’re fine. Focus on the whole picture.

I have used lifts (not this brand) for new boots. I don’t think they really affected my riding, though I can’ tell if these are thicker.

I have them in my boots right now. Cannot imagine this would be considered cheating. Are my nice grippy gloves cheating so they give me a nice grip??

[GoodTimes]

I’ve got heel lifts in both my pairs of boots. They definitely don’t make a difference equitation wise. I use them because I’m between a regular and a tall boot. With the heel lift I can wear a tall, can still do the zippers up all the way, and the backs of my knees don’t take a beating.
I do the hunters and may use an eq o/f as an extra schooling trip once in awhile. The heel lifts were suggested to me by the person that sold me my Deniros, and by the person who repaired my old Ariats. Neither of them would have had any idea if I did hunters, eq, or jumpers, the suggestion was solely based on the fit of the boots.

[Melissa.Van_Doren]

What a weird product. If you look at the photo in the OP, the illustration on the package shows a leg/ankle/foot at almost level in the stirrup, and with this product under the rider’s heel, the boot is then pushed down to look like the rider’s heel is down further than it actually is. 1. I’ll bet that’s not very comfortable to walk around in. 2. No, it’s not going to improve the rider’s leg. 3. It does look like it’s intended to be a ‘cheat’ for correct leg position. and 4. Just no.

ETA: This is clearly thicker than the typical heel lifts used to help break-in brand-new tall boots.

[Renn_aissance]

I can’t imagine what purpose they actually serve, considering that “heels down” is about weight distribution, not the appearance of ankle flexion.

The weight distribution shown in the illustration looks incorrect.

[yellowbritches]

I’ve used these on boots that were a smidge too tall and I don’t see how they affect your riding. The only time I noticed mine was if the sticky didn’t quite stick and they slid out of place as I was putting my boots on.

[eclipse]

I do not have a deep heel whatsoever (after standing on my toes for many years!) My heel goes just below my toes (on a good day LOL) and it has never hurt me in eq classes. Most judges do not like an exaggerated heel as it tend to push the leg forward and create tension. I was told, a lovely quiet leg is much more pleasing

[luckylion]

@GoodTimes

I’ve got heel lifts in both my pairs of boots. They definitely don’t make a difference equitation wise. I use them because I’m between a regular and a tall boot. With the heel lift I can wear a tall, can still do the zippers up all the way, and the backs of my knees don’t take a beating.
I do the hunters and may use an eq o/f as an extra schooling trip once in awhile. The heel lifts were suggested to me by the person that sold me my Deniros, and by the person who repaired my old Ariats. Neither of them would have had any idea if I did hunters, eq, or jumpers, the suggestion was solely based on the fit of the boots.

Do you have these specific ones or just regular leather heel lifts? These may be exactly what I need. I had never considered this option before. I now fall squarely in between regular and tall heights in boots. I have regular height for schooling and my trainer just asked yesterday if they were my show boots? She said, “If you were one of the kids, I’d say you’ve grown.” I don’t grow that direction, anymore! The front of my boots fall below my knee. They aren’t too offensive, because of the high Spanish tops on the outside. My show boots are talls and they are just a little too tall. I have finally gotten them to where I can snap them(the strap falls right behind my knee), but as soon as I bend my knee they pop open. That little extra lift might get them right where I need them. The plain leather lifts are like $10 from Smartpak. These are $22. Just wondering if I NEED these or can go with the cheap ones?

[Renn_aissance]

@luckylion I also wear regular heel lifts as my boots never quite dropped as much as I needed. The $10 plain leather ones come in multiple thicknesses. They are what you are looking for.

[SWatson]

Work on having an active heel. That’s all that matters.

[PKP]

I’ve used similar (Dr. Scholls) lifts for breaking in tall boots, until they drop and the back of my knees are no longer raw. But as a way of making heels look like they’re farther down than they are?? That’s a hard no. Give yourself credit for your ability to build and use a strong leg, and save the cheating short cuts for those who can’t ride. My bet is you’re not one of them.

[PonyPenny]

Use them if you need to. Every adult I know has some conformation faults that certain products help alleviate such as wide footbed stirrups, sticky spray, shoulders back, etc. if you get around eight jumps nicely and get all your changes, no one will notice your heels.

[GoodTimes]

@luckylion

Do you have these specific ones or just regular leather heel lifts? These may be exactly what I need. I had never considered this option before. I now fall squarely in between regular and tall heights in boots. I have regular height for schooling and my trainer just asked yesterday if they were my show boots? She said, “If you were one of the kids, I’d say you’ve grown.” I don’t grow that direction, anymore! The front of my boots fall below my knee. They aren’t too offensive, because of the high Spanish tops on the outside. My show boots are talls and they are just a little too tall. I have finally gotten them to where I can snap them(the strap falls right behind my knee), but as soon as I bend my knee they pop open. That little extra lift might get them right where I need them. The plain leather lifts are like $10 from Smartpak. These are $22. Just wondering if I NEED these or can go with the cheap ones?

Just the regular leather lifts. My Deniros never really dropped when they broke in so I would have the same problem as you if I didn’t use them.
I took them out of my Ariats for awhile, but when I shorten my stirrups to jump it started stressing the zippers and they wouldn’t stay up. I put the lifts back in and it solved the problem.

[jonem004]

Thank you all for your feedback. I can definitely see using a small lift to break in tall boots, but the packaging on these ones made my eyes bug out for a second! Glad to know that this isn’t something I have to look forward to. I wear high heels all day at work. When I get to the barn, I’d prefer to be walking around FLAT!

[PonyPenny]

@SWatson

Work on having an active heel. That’s all that matters.

What is a active heel?

[SWatson]

When you have an active heel, your heel actually drops down as a result of your muscle use, showing that you are actually in correct position throughout your entire body, not simply posing. Your Leg serves as an anchor, and having your heels down is part of that - as you learn not to pinch with your knees, your body responds naturally, and thus you get what is called an “active heel”.

[luckylion]

@GoodTimes

Just the regular leather lifts. My Deniros never really dropped when they broke in so I would have the same problem as you if I didn’t use them.
I took them out of my Ariats for awhile, but when I shorten my stirrups to jump it started stressing the zippers and they wouldn’t stay up. I put the lifts back in and it solved the problem.

I got my heel lifts and wore them in my show boots (Tredsteps) yesterday. They made a huge difference. My right boot is now staying snapped most of the time. I couldn’t keep the left one snapped and broke the zipper pull while zipping them on my horse. They are at the shoe repair now. Without the zipper pull (the loop where it attaches boke off, not just the pull), I was stuck in my boots all day, 7AM til 3 PM, because I was afraid if I took them off, I might not get them zipped, again. With the lifts, they no longer destroyed my achilles tendons like before and I was able to walk all day! Thanks for the great idea!