I like stirrups that have a permanent opening/space on one side made with rubber so there’s NO way your foot could hold - even for a second. The Freejumps are super $$$ and the Jin Air is almost as much. I like my SafeStyles on my jump saddle, just need a 2nd pair for dressage saddle and they are back-ordered.
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I’m not familiar with the Equipes, so please tell us what you think once you’ve tried them!
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I’ve had SafeStyle stirrups (without the rubber “arm” which wasn’t available when I bought them) for many years on my jump saddle but my new, green, athletic horse has more awkward jumps than my previous horse and I find it too easy to lose my stirrups due to the open side and the not-very-grippy tread. This has caused me to circle in 2 separate SJ rounds, so it was time for a change.
I don’t love anything where there is an opening near the top rather than the stirrup frame being fully closed during normal operation (e.g. Freejumps, Jin Airs, and even Safestyles with the rubber arm) - I am always paranoid that my rein bight might somehow loop around it in some freak accident (although I’ve bought shorter reins so the bight is shorter now) or it would catch on brush or trees somehow! The Equipe “arm” is made of silicone, but attached top and bottom, so the frame is fully closed, but easy to open when needed (hopefully!).
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I bought the LeMieux Vector Control stirrups and love them! I’ve not used some of the others mentioned so can’t compare to FreeJump, etc. I have mainly used Sprengers and knock-offs for the flexibility, and for safety had old Kwik Outs and the curved side stirrups. But with knee and foot injuries in recent years (thanks, horses!), the LeMieux were the first option that combined safety and comfort.
I mainly ride dressage, but still jump for fun. My foot and knee do better even with the shorter stirrup length and two-point in these stirrups than in my dressage saddle with the Sprenger types. I now want them, or something similar, on all my saddles!!! At least I know what to put on gift lists for a few more holidays😂
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@CanteringOn I’ve been riding in my Equipe stirrups now for a while and I love them. I love the grip of the tread (just enough, but not so much I have trouble getting out of them if needed), I love the holes in the tread (I live in an area where I often have sand on my boots that can clog up the tread), and they are just the right weight that I feel if I did drop one, I would find it easy to pick up. They are also comfortable and supportive and I’ve had no issue with losing them despite several awkward jumps since I got them.
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A new contender (buckle): https://www.pleasantridge.ca/index.php/waldhausen-stirrup-safety-release-clip.html
I haven’t tried it yet, but the price is right.
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I just got the Flex On Safe Ons in black.
I liked their mech the best, it seems less likely to hang you up.
They are very pretty too.
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Bumping this up again to see what everyone is liking in their safety stirrups.
I have a pair of the Tech Venice Quick Outs. So far, I’m happy with them.
The down side is they only come in one width, so good for regular feet in regular boots. Not as great for larger feet or wider winter boots.
The American Equus Elite Escape Stirrups have been coming across my FB feed. They have a side opening branch from the bottom (vs the top with the Tech stirrups). They come in a wider (5.5") width. Does anyone have any experience with them or with the company?
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Love my American Equus Elite Escape stirrups. They’re pricy but worth it, so comfortable to ride in and you can customize them exactly how you want.
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I came here looking for safety stirrup recommendations and have seen all the questions about the tech Venice safety stirrups and figured I’d chime in. I had those stirrups on my saddle during a fall (my horse has an excellent buck) and unfortunately my foot got stuck in the stirrup somehow and it twisted and tore the tendon in the front of my ankle and broke the top of my fibula. According to my friends who found my horse, the safety bar was open. I believe my foot got stuck somehow on the top or the inside of the stirrup given how I fell (off the other side) but it all happened so fast and I really don’t know. I think no safety stirrup can cover all fall scenarios though so I’m not sure how helpful that is! I really appreciate all the detailed stirrup reviews and I’m inclined to go with the Rid’up stirrups since I think they would have broken off during that particular fall although I’m sure my next fall will be completely different!
I’ve been using the Samshield Shieldr’ups (horrible name!) for a couple of years now. I’ve been very pleased with them.
It has the side branch that flips away. So far (knock wood) I’ve never fallen from the saddle with those stirrups attached, but I know that it doesn’t take very much pressure to push the branch open.
I’m sorry that the Tech Venice stirrups didn’t perform well enough to prevent you from having a really bad injury!
Just a follow up that I have fallen at a dirty spook-stop-runout at a fence and I’m still pleased enough with the safe-ons that I’ve put them on my dressage saddle as well.
I have the samshield stirrups that break away at the bottom and I don’t particularly care for them. I don’t know if it’s my human conformation or what, but I can crack the release open if I shift my weight into one foot. I would not jump in them for this reason. They live on my dressage saddle.
That has never happened with my Tech Venices.
I’m a fan of SafeStyle Stirrups. There’s no release mechanism so they won’t fail. Not as expensive as some of the other types of safety stirrups and also more traditional in appearance.
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Has anyone tried these yet??
https://www.oldmillsaddlery.com/en/us/Waldhausen-Walhausen-Stirrup-Safety-Clip/m-55904.aspx
Yep! Those are the former “Swiss Clips” I referenced in the original thread title.
I did find a pair awhile back and tried them. They didn’t work great for me because they’re rigid and dug into my leg… but I’m a shortie. They might work great for someone else, and since they’re relatively inexpensive, might be worth a try.
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Does anyone have experience with the Royal Rider Concept stirrup irons? They look interesting, but I can’t seem to find much detailed information or reviews of them.
I’m considering the Tech Venice Evo or Flex-On Safe-On irons as well, but it seems easy enough to find peoples’ experiences with those irons.
Dressage rider here, but I wanted to say thank you for this thread. It was very helpful in my decision-making process.
I have a horse who has a significant spook on occasion and I just wanted a bit of extra safety in case things went south. (I’m one who actually has survived a trapped foot dragging many years ago so its always a little niggle at the back of my mind.)
I’m also a bit older and have tired knees and hips, so I like a stirrup with a 90 degree turn.
I ended up buying the Rid’up stirrups (ordered them from Redpost.) I haven’t had to field test them yet, and hope I never will!
They are extremely comfortable to ride in. They have a tiny bit of “cush” in the foot bed which makes a surprising difference.
As an extra benefit, my dressage trainer is ecstatic about the difference they have made to my leg position. Don’t ask me why, I’ve been riding in 90 degree turns for 15 years. Maybe its the width, support and comfort of the footbed allowing me to truly relax my leg and open my hips to the correct position. Maybe its my brain being able to let go of one piece of anxiety. Dont know, but I’ll take it!
They look sharp, too.
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I’ve been riding in those for ~ 6 months now, and actually really like them! They are heavier than the standard RR irons, which I think makes them easier to get back if I lose one. The wide tread and the spikes also help keep my foot pretty stable. My knees aren’t great (I can’t ride in any flexible irons) and find these really comfortable. I haven’t tested the safety part yet (knock on wood) but it seems like it would work.
I do believe they are not legal for USDF dressage shows, but are OK for the dressage phase in eventing.
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What’s the difference between the Rid’up Plus and the Rid’up Fun?
