Please recommend stirrup leathers and safety stirrups!

[RegentLion]

I need new leathers for my jump saddle… I just got Albion leathers for my dressage saddle and loooooove them (super soft right out of the box and also thinner than my current leathers), but my jump saddle is brown so I’m on the hunt for brown leathers.

What can you recommend? All my current ones are super thick and stiff. I want NICE leathers this time around!

Also any recommendations for “safety” stirrups? I do have peacock irons but have heard they are not great. I need a pair of safety stirrups of some sort for both myself and my kids.

Thanks!!!

[Lady_Eboshi]

Depends on what you want to do. The safety stirrups with the best support and quality I’ve ever found are the “Podium” type marketed for endurance–there are now cheaper knockoffs of them being made in Sweden. They’re caged to allow the use of any type of shoe or boot. For trail-riding alone in rough country, they definitely up the confidence level and give you a nice base of support besides.

However, they’re un-traditional-looking and I’m not sure they’d fly at an Event.
Especially the Dressage.

[Lady_Eboshi]

Depends on what you want to do. The safety stirrups with the best support and quality I’ve ever found are the “Podium” type marketed for endurance–there are now cheaper knockoffs of them being made in Sweden. They’re caged to allow the use of any type of shoe or boot. For trail-riding alone in rough country, they definitely up the confidence level and give you a nice base of support besides. Take a look: http://www.cheval-rider-wear.co.uk/details.php?secid=349&subid=986

However, because they’re un-traditional-looking I’m not sure they’d fly at an Event. They come in many colors, aluminum/black, and all black.

[FrittSkritt]

You can try those stirrups with an “S” shaped outside branch: http://www.horsetackinternational.com/images/246009-foot-free-irons.jpg

I use the old fashioned peacock stirrups… Sometimes I feel dumb using them since I’m not 12, but I figure I’d rather not have my foot get stuck and dragged when my horse dumps me after spooking at a butterfly. :winkgrin:

[AKB]

My understanding is that the peacock stirrups are not for adults because there is not enough strength and they may give out unexpectedly. I use the Herm Sprenger like flexible stirrups. It is supposed to be difficult to catch your foot in them because they flex. I think the caged endurance stirrups sound like a good idea, but I have not seen them used in eventing. I wish there were some official rating system to help all of pick the safest stirrups. I just know what I have been told by other riders, and have no idea if any of it is correct!

[fordtraktor]

They are not at all cheap but after Claudius’ accident I got concerned about safety stirrups and bought a pair of Free Jump Soft Up Pro stirrups. I also have a pair of HS Bow Balances. The Free Jumps are the nicest stirrups I have ever had, they are very stable and extremely safe IMO. The only thing I don’t like is that it is hard to run them up. I ride young horses alone 100% of the time, though – can’t change that part – I wanted the safest thing I could find and was willing to pay for it. I bought them from Amira equi which was substantially cheaper than you can get them from US tack stores.

I do not like the peacock stirrups, I have seen several accidents caused by riders coming down on or having the hook catch them on the way down. Serious, disfiguring accidents involving major stitches in two cases, one an adult and facial. truly awful. Better than being drug maybe but I would go with other options, we have them these days. Some like the S stirrups and cheaper flex models are not expensive.

I like the Sprengers for ring work fine but they are not great in water, I find them quite slippery when wet. They are also not stable, so unless you have a good leg they amplify all your issues. They do help alleviate some of my knee pain from when a horse fell on me and crushed it fifteen years ago. Horse people, none of us would pass a vet check.

[retreadeventer]

Agree with Fordtraktor on peacocks. I think we have moved on with stirrup styles from this very old model now. But as long as pony club approves of them, they will stick around continuing to hang up people as they fall or get off…I am going to look up your Free Jump ones!

Having a stirrup bar that is always down and keeping your stirrup leathers and saddle soft, conditioned and supple is also a safety measure – I’ve been hung up hunting and the whole stirrup slipped right off the bar with my leg as it was pushed back== safest thing to have happen. The stirrup and leather are a unit, as you consider safety.

[seabreeze]

I really like Prestige leathers. I’ve had a pair for my dressage saddle for several years, and I really liked them. I bought a close-contact to fit new horsie and was using a pair of cheap-o leathers that I happened to have as back-ups. I replaced them with Prestige leathers, too. Their brown leathers (which is what is on the CC) is a nice shade of brown that goes with most “brown” saddles.

I like my HS bow balance stirrups quite a bit. I don’t generally like stirrups that flex, but they feel very stable. I used to use the safety stirrup with the shaped outer branch that someone else mentioned, but I find that a wider stirrup footbed is more comfortable for my aging hips and knees. The HS footbed is just wide enough to help me, and I feel comfortable knowing I will probably twist out of them in a fall.

[flashwhitelock]

[QUOTE=retreadeventer;8343757]
Agree with Fordtraktor on peacocks. I think we have moved on with stirrup styles from this very old model now. But as long as pony club approves of them, they will stick around continuing to hang up people as they fall or get off…I am going to look up your Free Jump ones!

Having a stirrup bar that is always down and keeping your stirrup leathers and saddle soft, conditioned and supple is also a safety measure – I’ve been hung up hunting and the whole stirrup slipped right off the bar with my leg as it was pushed back== safest thing to have happen. The stirrup and leather are a unit, as you consider safety.[/QUOTE]

Don’t blame Pony club for peacocks. PC only suggests a safety stirrup (any type) Peacocks end up being popular because they are easy to find in small enough sizes and inexpensive. The most important part is to do everything you can for safety with well maintained equipment that fits well. Too many people ignore the fit issue, don’t keep leathers well maintained or keep the safety bar down. Brand is not a guarantee of anything.

[fordtraktor]

Oh, and I noticed the famous M. Jung has a pair of my Free Jump stirrups on his XC saddle on some horses. Not all, he uses a bunch of different stirrups but he does use them some. So I am in good company in liking them I guess.

[fordtraktor]

(bTW, the Free Jump Soft Ups come in a Junior size that is significantly cheaper from Amira Equi. I think women with a small foot could probably use it fine given the size chart but I wear a size 10 so it was off the table for me.)

[RegentLion]

I wear a size 6 shoe on a good day, so that’s good to know.

I have peacock irons but I am concerned about the hook particularly for my kids.
Going to look up the Free Jump Soft Ups now!

[RegentLion]

fordtraktor, do you need to use their leathers with the stirrups?

[fordtraktor]

It is not required, I have them and they are nice but I have also used regular ones and they are fine too. I also think they would work well with webber type leathers but haven’t actually tried it.

BTW, the Free Jumps are the red stirrups Michael Jung uses on some of his jump saddles, saw them on Rocana at Burghley when he did the gallop on her. I think he had black ones on Sam but not sure. He uses regular leathers. Not that that means we should all run out and do everything he does but I guess they are “eventer approved” if they work for him, and not just someone like me who kicks around tiny stuff.

[RegentLion]

[QUOTE=fordtraktor;8344390]
It is not required, I have them and they are nice but I have also used regular ones and they are fine too. I also think they would work well with webber type leathers but haven’t actually tried it.

BTW, the Free Jumps are the red stirrups Michael Jung uses on some of his jump saddles, saw them on Rocana at Burghley when he did the gallop on her. I think he had black ones on Sam but not sure. He uses regular leathers. Not that that means we should all run out and do everything he does but I guess they are “eventer approved” if they work for him, and not just someone like me who kicks around tiny stuff.[/QUOTE]

I think I will order these this week after I find the smaller size. Not sure how to figure out what size I need but I like the look of these. Waffling on getting their leathers. I have very short legs so there’s that also.

[fordtraktor]

I am 5’10 with long legs but ride short (I tend to have flexible heels and just like my stirrups short) and have the medium size leathers. They work well for me, I have them in a medium hole on on the adjustment range. I was reluctant to get the ones sized for my height because I was on the low end and I know I ride so short compared to a lot of people and that logic held up. I would def get the shorts if you are actually short.

[RegentLion]

[QUOTE=fordtraktor;8344470]
I am 5’10 with long legs but ride short (I tend to have flexible heels and just like my stirrups short) and have the medium size leathers. They work well for me, I have them in a medium hole on on the adjustment range. I was reluctant to get the ones sized for my height because I was on the low end and I know I ride so short compared to a lot of people and that logic held up. I would def get the shorts if you are actually short.[/QUOTE]

I am truly short. 5’ with my height in my torso…

[FrittSkritt]

As flash said, like any other piece of equipment, peacock stirrups have to be maintained – regularly replacing the elastic band is obviously key in keeping them from flying off inadvertently. Plus the hook on mine is so dull and rounded that I’d find it hard to believe it’d cut anything.

From what I’ve read, the FreeJumps are advertised as “extremely lightweight,” which is the LAST thing you want in a safety stirrup… God himself (George Morris) and Jimmy Wofford have spoken against any lightweight stirrup as being undesirable since they flap around and make it damn near impossible to regain when you’ve lost one.

[RegentLion]

[QUOTE=FrittSkritt;8344591]
As flash said, like any other piece of equipment, peacock stirrups have to be maintained – regularly replacing the elastic band is obviously key in keeping them from flying off inadvertently. Plus the hook on mine is so dull and rounded that I’d find it hard to believe it’d cut anything.

From what I’ve read, the FreeJumps are advertised as “extremely lightweight,” which is the LAST thing you want in a safety stirrup… God himself (George Morris) and Jimmy Wofford have spoken against any lightweight stirrup as being undesirable since they flap around and make it damn near impossible to regain when you’ve lost one.[/QUOTE]

Good point… Any users of these have this issue?

[Risuena]

Following! I’m in the market for new stirrup leathers, and maybe safety stirrups too. RegentLion, I’m just a couple inches taller than you and am also all torso – I ride in children’s stirrup leathers. My leathers are old and have been bothering me lately; I’ve been exploring webbers and am not sure which direction to go.

I got the Foot Free stirrups that FrittSkritt mentioned and initially loved them – couldn’t tell any difference from my old stirrups and they gave me peace of mind riding out on my own.

I got a new saddle recently, and my left foot/calf started hurting (my left foot has plantar fasciitis). I got the Foot Free stirrups just before the new saddle, and a friend recommended going back to my old stirrups – MUCH better. No pain for a while now…I tried the Foot Free stirrups again a couple weeks ago and while it wasn’t “painful”, my left foot/leg just didn’t feel comfortable. I have no idea why this might be happening with those stirrups. I’m about to give them another trial though – I had NO problems in my old saddle and was really happy with them.