I bought a set of stirrups off of eBay, and they are 5" inside measure. My boot is 4" across at the widest point and other stirrups I’ve used and have are 4.75".
I thought the ones I got would be too large, and looked around online, and found a site (Dover) that said there should be 1/2" on each side of your foot in the stirrup, so the ones I got, that I thought were too large are supposed to fit. They feel too big and heavy. They are Stateline, jointed.
What’s the word on this?
Yes, the rule of thumb is across the ball of your boot and .5" clearance on either side is the way to measure. However, if they feel big and heavy then they aren’t a good fit for you. You don’t want them so big your foot is sliding all about or so small that your foot is likely to get stuck in them. But, if it doesn’t feel right it isn’t right. I’d try to find another one that feels better for your foot. I personally have trouble with super light irons. Everyone’s build and preference are different! My stirrups are a touch smaller than .5" on either side because I’ve always done it that way and I think it feels more comfortable (and I’ve never gotten a foot stuck in them).
If your stirrup is too wide you might have some positioning issues. If it’s too narrow there is a risk of getting “hung up” if you have bad “unplanned dismount.”
A related issue is the match of the tread between the stirrup and you boot sole. If your match is too aggressive then you’ll have trouble dropping a stirrup if you need to, even you have lots of room. If it’s not aggressive enough you’ll constantly be trying to keep your foot in the proper position to hold the stirrup.
What is your experience with these stirrups? If you can position your foot and hold it without effort then you’re likely OK. If keeping your position is problematical then you can look at other issues.
Good luck as work out the issue!
G.
You wouldn’t think it makes a difference, but as you can see it does. Send them back for the correct size if possible.
I would agree they are the right size but perhaps the joints are clunky, adding extra weight to the irons. Coarsely made stirrups can be heavy. Not all jointed stirrups are created equal. The good name brands might be a better choice with more refined joints and better finished steel frame. You do need a bit of weight to your irons so they hang down ready for your boot toe to find easilly and quickly when mounting or if you should lose one.
I would not go narrower because of the chance of hanging u your boot up when you NEED boot to come out easily. Pretty sure I learned that half inch on each side of foot rule while in Pony Club. One of those details we needed to share with kids as their riding instructor. I had to find bigger stirrups to fit son’s wider boots than the common girl sizes. Kids got pre-ride inspection to make sure boots and stirrups were correctly sized on each child.
Same thing with Western stirrups, wider than boot so you can get foot loose fast if needed.
Get wider stirrups for use with thicker winter boots riding in cold weather.
Too large can let your foot slip thru and really get hung up badly, like if your horse jars you if it stumbles.
Seen it happen, in a parade, a horse slipped, the fellow’s boot went thru and he was hung and dragged thru two streets before the stirrup leather came loose.
Luckily the horse was quiet and only ran half heartedly sideways and didn’t try to kick him off.
He only had some road rash and a few sore spots.
Glad because it looked bad.
Since peacock stirrups came out, that is all I have used, for safety, even if it looks silly.
If the stirrups don’t feel right or are clearly too small or large, don’t take chances, get others.
Years ago, I suspect about 15 years ago, I received a pair of 5" or so jointed stirrrups. For the first 6 months or so, I thought they were large and clucky. For the next ~14.5 years, I thought nothing of the size and loved them. About 5 months ago, I think the size kept me from being seriously dragged. I still use them.
There isn’t a “word” on the subject, just opinions. Good luck!
Thank you all for your input. The ones I have (the 4.75") are jointed, and came with a Collegiate dressage saddle I bought used. They have no markings on them. I think I’m going to try the 5’ ones out. It occurred to me that maybe the reason I think they are big is because I am accustomed to the smaller.
Maybe like J-Lu, I’ll go a few years and not notice.
I thought Stateline was an ok brand. No?
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