I’m planning on finally bitting the bullet and buying myself a saddle (specifically a Kent and Masters s series jump saddle in black).
To go with my new saddle I would like to invest in a pair of leathers and was thinking of buying myself a pair of Millbrooks.
I was wondering if anyone has had any issues using their leg due to the bulk and added stability of Millbrook leathers.
I used to own a pair of the stunning magnetic safety release techvenice irons but due to their bulk on the inside of the iron it was near impossible to be quiet with the inside of your foot and left some nasty bruises on everyone that used them.
I’d rather not go through with purchasing a pair of expensive leathers only to realize I need to sell them immediately after.
Before I bought the Millbrook stirrup leathers I was using calf-skin covered stirrup leathers which I hated because they hurt my shin, I was developing a lump on my shin where these stirrup leathers crossed and they twisted so easily. I never had this problem with the old type regular leathers, and I got rid of the calf-skin covered leathers once I got the Millbrooks.
The Millbrook stirrup leathers are a LOT more stable than the calf-skin covered stirrup leathers. They do not twist all on their own, my shin bone healed up nicely, and I no longer notice that the leather is thicker. My riding teacher says my lower legs are more stable, this just feels normal to me now. I love, Love, LOVE that the Millbrook stirrup leathers do not hurt when I ride with them and they do no injure my poor shin bones!
I am very glad I bought them, and if I ever get another saddle I will probably buy another pair.
Count me in as another fan of the Millbrook leathers! I was getting ready to replace a beloved pair of older, wider leathers anyway before they started wearing out (now they are my back up leathers) and then I broke my ankle. Around the same time, Millbrook happened to have a good sale (30% off maybe) so I gave them a try and absolutely don’t regret it! They are lovely quality, comfortable, match my saddle perfectly, and I do feel like they helped aid my weakened leg without locking it in. I would not call them a miracle cure by any means, but they are well made and worth the price to me. My only suggestion is to err on the side of ordering slightly shorter than their size chart states for your height. Mine fit, but I’m almost all the way at the top of the holes for xc and steeplechase so there is a good amount of extra leather.
I can see that they aren’t as wide for the stirrup – but what about at the top, where the buckle is? Is the leather wide or thin there? My Orthoflex saddle doesn’t have the classic stirrup bar, but instead, three slots the leathers can be thread through, so it must be thin at both the stirrup and stirrup bar.
FYI - Total Saddle Fit just came with a version of them as well. I haven’t seen these in person, but they may be worth checking out.
https://totalsaddlefit.com/shop/shop/stability-stirrup-leathers/
I have and like the Millbrook leathers for all the reasons stated by the earlier posters. My one complaint is that they have stretched more than I was hoping/expected.
As much as I like the price, those leathers wouldn’t work for me:no:
I’m 5’1 and need black leathers which sadly total saddle fit doesn’t cater to.
My Millbrook’s stretched the second I went from working in a full seat (rehab) to half seat (on course). Not a fan.
How short do you need? The Total Saddle Fit ones come in black as short as 48". Millbrook goes down to 45".
Following.
I’ve been wanting to purchase a pair for awhile now and go back and forth. I hear people say they love them, I hear people say they’re nothing special, I hear people say they stretch. I have no complaints with my current leathers, so I’ve been slow to pull the trigger on these.
Also, I can’t decide on size. I’m 5’3" with shorter than average legs. My jumping saddle has 48" leathers and I’m definitely closer to the top of the holes than the bottom. The 45" leathers are recommended for 5’1" and under, but between my short legs and the stretch factor, I’m thinking that’s probably a better option than the 49"…
I have the Millbrook leathers. Love the style but so disappointed in the quality. They stretch like crazy and have faded to the point that I needed to re-dye the leather. For the price I really would have expected better quality because after a year they really look terrible. If I were to replace them I’d go for the TSF ones since they are lined and it looks like you can return them within 30 days.
@Texarkana Personally in your situation, I’d go with the 45".
Interesting the mixed reports. I’m guessing some quality control issues and I got lucky because in the two years I’ve used mine, they haven’t stretched or faded and are beautiful quality.
I am officially the owner of a saddle!
My trainer and parents beat me to it and bought me one behind my back and fit it to my lease pony before giving it to me for my birthday (a very welcome surprise!)
The only issue (not a real issue) is that I need to order myself a set of leathers and irons asap.
Do I play it safe and buy a set of normal black leathers, or do I risk buying a pair of Millbrooks?
I’ve read about some inconsistencies in the quality control of Millbrooks leathers and really don’t want to dish out $150 on a pair of leathers that are just going to stretch beyond recognition.
As with all leather stirrup leathers you have to switch them from one side to the other periodically.
I tend to remember to do this every 3-6 months. I condition with lard when I do this and let the lard (or your favorite conditioner) soak in for a few hours, wipe down, and put on the saddle.
I am a die hard lard fan for conditioning leather, but the company recommends olive oil for conditioning. I do have some interesting patterns on the leathers from conditioning with the lard from the beginning. I do not show, if I did I’d buy another pair and condition them with the olive oil as recommended.
My shin bones are no longer irritated by the stirrup leathers, but I had to get longer than the recommended size so my shin bone rested on the wider part of the leather. Since they are not returnable my riding teacher got my first shorter pair. The recommended length was WAY too short for me, I was on the last hole, and since the leathers are thick it did not feel good under my thigh. I also would not have been able to lengthen the leathers enough for a dressage seat. I am now very comfortable in the longest length of these leathers.
I love my Millbrook leathers. The stretching isn’t a surprise- they’re full leather. I have had mine since November and have had no stretching…I kind of wish they would because I ordered a shorter size than I would have! I find I do feel much more stable and secure flatting and over fences. I’m planning on ordering another pair for my dressage saddle I like them so much.
Are those calfskin wrapped? BETTER MOUSETRAP!!! Ordering… many thanks!
I love my Millbrooks. I thought they were just a fad, but honestly, I never have ever had rubs since using them…and I got rubs all the time before. I have scars on my shin and permanent bumps from having such bad rubs from regular stirrup leathers. I even tried wrapping my legs with vet wrap before riding. Still got rubs. Insanity. Mine also haven’t stretched much - I got the shortest size at 5’3" anticipating the stretch. They are stable though and you won’t notice any bulk. I don’t think I’d ever go back to regular leathers.
Can I ask a dumb question? When you all say they improve stability what do you mean? TSF has a 30 day or your money back guarantee on their leathers and I’m intrigued. I know equipment cant replace plain old work when it come to improving posiiton but I’m wondering if these would help me fix my leg swing/turning my calf out issue?
Cutting and pasting my prior post on the subject…
https://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/f…leathers/page3
<<Jun. 18, 2017, 07:41 PM
I ended up getting a pair. They run big, IMHO. I and 5’6 and use a 54" regular leather so I got the 135 cm. In retrospect, the 125 cm would have been better.
I like the leathers but there’s no “magic.” They are CRAZY thick and CRAZY stiff. Like leathers were in the 80s. They’re also wide. Like leathers were in the 80s. They are just nicer versions of what we had BEFORE we had thinner, softer leathers. That’s all. No magic.
They are more stablizing. Unlike thinner, softer, narrower calfskin leathers, these barely fit through the stirrup bar. So they’re really JAMMED in there and can’t move up top. And then because they’re wide, more of your leg is on top of them and gravity/your leg contact at the top of the stirrup prevents movement. So, yes, they are a bit more stable but not for any magic reason. They’re just WIDE and THICK.
The quality of the leather is nice enough (not astounding but not cheap looking either. Mid range), but they’re stiff as heck. So of course they don’t move, they’re not soft enough to.
I like them ok. I wish I had gotten the smaller size. I don’t like them enough to buy another pair.>>
My lower leg stays more still when I have the widest part of the Millbrook leathers going across my shin-bone.
When, with the shorter Millbrook leathers, the narrow part of the leather crossed my shin-bone and I did not notice any greater security, plus my shin-bone still hurt, though not as much as with the calf-skin lined leathers. My teacher said my lower legs looked a little bit more stable but it was not “miraculous”.
My riding teacher has been getting after my about my floaty lower leg a LOT LESS than she used to, and my lower legs feel MUCH more comfortable when my shin bone is crossed by the wide part of these leathers. Before the Millbrook leathers she was correcting my lower leg alot, now she rarely corrects its position (except for heels down occasionally) since my lower leg stays in place a lot better.
If I ever can afford to get another good saddle I will get another pair of the Millbrook stirrup leathers to go on it.
How did you have it so the widest part wasn’t on top? I’m confused…
