kwik outs saved my son’s life - here is the end result to the stirrup after his mare flipped over after rearing.
Sure glad he had the stirrups. Here is what they looked like after
http://www.prospectequinefarms.com/images/mainimages/tack/102-0291_IMG.JPG
http://www.prospectequinefarms.com/images/mainimages/tack/102-0290_IMG.JPG
[QUOTE=Celeritas;6070249]
Not to be contrary, but I am confused why someone who is not a rank beginner or small child would feel like they need to use safety stirrups? I have never used them, even when I started riding as a child, and (knock on wood) I have never had a problem with my foot getting caught in a stirrup all the millions of ways I have managed to part ways with my mount. I don’t know any adults (even relative novices) that use them. Is it a ‘better safe than sorry’ thing? A secutity blanket? Do people not get taught how to fall properly anymore? I’m just curious as to why you adults that are not beginners use them. Do you use then in the show ring or just while schooling? Do you use them with all horses or just greenies? Please enlighten me![/QUOTE]
Also, as someone else mentioned, William Fox-Pitt rides in safety stirrups (and a neck strap!) and I doubt he considers himself a beginner 
I wonder if it’s more common with eventers (especially cross-country), which is what I want to be, someday…!
In answer to Celeritas’ inquiry: Why not? Why not use something that could be safer, and causes no harm? To me, it’s rather like wearing a helmet, you hope that you won’t need it, but if you do, you’d rather not be without it.
Now I’m sure that those who show in the “big time” of A & AA shows would be concerned about appearances, even with safety stirrups like the Mountain horse or quik-out that aren’t obvious in the way a peacock stirrup would be. But outside of that concern, I can’t think of any particular reason that one would not use a safety stirrup (although I’m sure George Mosrris would disagree )
Safe Stirrups
Foot Free!!
Foot Free!!!
FOOT FREE!!!
If you have ever seen any one dragged you will be a believer
Got the paddock boot laces caught on the hook of Peacock gave them away
Those stirrups that break open can hurt horse or person when they open up and have crummy pads
I have had the same set of Foot Free Irons for 25 years from Greennies to CCI***
I forgot to mention that if you do use kwik outs you have to be careful that they face the correct way to open up every time your ride with them.
I guess I’ve just always lived in a show barn bubble where the only ones that use peacock stirrups are the pony kids, so thanks for the perspective 
I’ll never look down at anyone for taking a safety precaution or using the safety stirrups if it makes them feel better. Heck, I know that I’ve sometimes wished for a seat belt on my saddle on cold blustery days when getting on my friend’s horse that she so aptly nicknamed “Mt. Vesuvius!”
Sorry for the hijack, back to your regularly scheduled thread.
[QUOTE=Celeritas;6070249]
Not to be contrary, but I am confused why someone who is not a rank beginner or small child would feel like they need to use safety stirrups? I have never used them, even when I started riding as a child, and (knock on wood) I have never had a problem with my foot getting caught in a stirrup all the millions of ways I have managed to part ways with my mount. I don’t know any adults (even relative novices) that use them. Is it a ‘better safe than sorry’ thing? A secutity blanket? Do people not get taught how to fall properly anymore? I’m just curious as to why you adults that are not beginners use them. Do you use then in the show ring or just while schooling? Do you use them with all horses or just greenies? Please enlighten me![/QUOTE]
I have been dragged! It is not easy after that experience to go back to using regular stirrups. I’ve been riding since before I could walk and never used a safety stirrup before that. I have been using the Kwik Outs now for many years and it gives me piece of mind. I have never had any issues with them at all.
I rode cross country with peacock stirrups till I was 22 years old. No one ever said anything to me about them. My daughter shows hunters; I bought her a pair of Quik-Outs, and again, no one has ever criticized.
I have Foot Free, curvy irons on my jumping saddle.
I also ALWAYS ride with the safety flags on the stirrup bar down, so the stirrup leather can get free of the saddle.
I’ve gone off and noticed my foot come out of the FF iron, rather than get caught. I’ve also been on a horse that slipped and fell over sideways. The FF has that nice curve to it…and the curve stayed over my foot so the horse was not squashing the iron into my foot. I don’t think that was by chance, but rather part of how the stirrup design can work.
I’ve always used the peacock safety stirrups or regular fillis style stirrups and (knock on wood) have never had a problem.
I was told by a trainer once that I was “too old” (was 27 at the time) for peacock stirrups and that I needed a different pair. I ended up buying a used pair of jointed stirrups with the rubber pieces on the branches. My first ride in them, I got dumped and my right foot got caught up in them as I was tossed off to the left. Tore just about every tendon and ligament in my right ankle, and had to take 6 months off from riding. At any rate, I now feel that you are never too old to be safe. If I ride in peacock stirrups for the rest of my life, so be it. I’d rather be frowned upon in the show ring than risk injury and inability to ride. IMO… 
Another type of foot free safety stirrups are the Icelandic stirrups http://countryridesaddlery.com/products.php/MetalabIcelandicStirrups. Pics of the Queen of England going for a ride and she is using foot free safety stirrups http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/03/queen-horse-riding_n_1181586.html. You can also try the Barnes Buckle http://equineink.com/2008/04/12/equine-safety-barnes-buckle-prevents-dragging-accidents/ which allows you to use whatever stirrup you want as long as its not fat necked (like the wide track composite stirrups).
Had not considered the Foot Free stirrups but it sounds like I should. One thing I found in someone’s review was they they were very hard to pick up again if you lose a stirrup on course (which I have been known to do once in a while… ;)) Has anyone had that issue?
I’ve heard of a horse being impaled on the open bottom of a peacock stirrup. I may even have heard it on COTH! Is that an urban (rural?) legend? It is unsubstantiated but it gives me pause. I like the looks of the Safestyle stirrups that someone posted but I’d be similarly concerned about that open side . . .
I keep my horses at home and usually there is no one around when I’m riding. Getting hung up is my one fear, so I switched to peacock stirrups a while ago. After reading this I may switch to Foot Free or the Quick Outs. I’m old enough and have been riding long enough not to worry what others think about my choice of stirrups.
I have the Kwik-Outs on my dressage saddle and the Mountain Horse Quick Release Stirrups on my jump saddle. Because of the Kwik-Out design, you can’t use any kind of stirrup pad in them, and my knees appreciate shock-absorbing stirrup pads for jumping.
So I bought the Mountain Horse stirrups, took off the Mountain Horse built-in pads, and added Super Comfort Stirrup Pads. The Mountain Horse stirrups are not quite as quick to release as the Kwik-Outs, but I added a little grease to the top pole of the rubber release portion (but not the bottom) and “broke in” the rubber release tube by flexing it gently with my hand for awhile, much as you would break in a new piece of leather. I am confident that in an emergency, it would give.
[QUOTE=Tivas_a_Diva;6072050]
I’ve always used the peacock safety stirrups or regular fillis style stirrups and (knock on wood) have never had a problem.
I was told by a trainer once that I was “too old” (was 27 at the time) for peacock stirrups and that I needed a different pair. I ended up buying a used pair of jointed stirrups with the rubber pieces on the branches. My first ride in them, I got dumped and my right foot got caught up in them as I was tossed off to the left. Tore just about every tendon and ligament in my right ankle, and had to take 6 months off from riding. At any rate, I now feel that you are never too old to be safe. If I ride in peacock stirrups for the rest of my life, so be it. I’d rather be frowned upon in the show ring than risk injury and inability to ride. IMO… [/QUOTE]
I had used those jointed stirrups for years, until… Over a jump one day, I thought my horse was going to zig when he zagged and I ended up getting tossed, although I managed to grab his neck on the way down! We ended up coming to a stop at the rail, me hanging on upside down on his neck like a monkey, poor boy! My foot was still hung up in my stirrup and I shudder to think what would have happened had I not been able to hang onto his neck.
I’m over 30yrs old (more than just a little!), ride only dressage now and happily use the peacock stirrups at home and at shows. Daughter uses them for eventing.
I used Peacocks until I was 20? Then I switched to the Springer 4-ways. I have no problem using peacocks or safety stirrups, but I have heard that if you are a teen or adult and want peacocks get a good quality pair. Some of them are not made to support the weight of an adult and could break. Again, I’ve only heard that, it has never happened to myself or anyone I know. But something to think about.
[QUOTE=jnel;6072455]
Pics of the Queen of England going for a ride and she is using foot free safety stirrups http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/03/queen-horse-riding_n_1181586.html.[/QUOTE]
I think this is a pretty respectable endorsement for the foot free stirrups. My daughter plans to start eventing this year - I’m about ready to order a pair.
[QUOTE=Bravestrom;6070524]
I forgot to mention that if you do use kwik outs you have to be careful that they face the correct way to open up every time your ride with them.[/QUOTE]
That goes without saying. If you pick up your stirrup the correct way, without twisted leathers, then there will be no problem.
I have seen someone get dragged with the Foot Frees. Kwik outs are the best, I think. I ride in regular fillis irons though.
[QUOTE=mypaintwattie;6076384]
I used Peacocks until I was 20? Then I switched to the Springer 4-ways. I have no problem using peacocks or safety stirrups, but I have heard that if you are a teen or adult and want peacocks get a good quality pair. Some of them are not made to support the weight of an adult and could break. Again, I’ve only heard that, it has never happened to myself or anyone I know. But something to think about.[/QUOTE]
I never knew that. We’ve never had one break, but your post makes me want to do further investigation.
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.
For Customers
Company
Terms of Use
