Stability Stirrup Leathers - Regular vs buckle at the bottom/webbers

[Speedy_Alice]

After 12 years of not owning a horse, and in the process of buying things for my new horse, I’m finding that there has been a ton of innovation in just about everything - bits, stirrups, girths, etc.

I’m really interested in getting a pair of the wide stability stirrup leathers - reviews on them sound wonderful, and will take any help I can get with RE: leg stability, with my new horse, who is young.

I’ve seen styles offered by TSF-Total Saddle Fit/Gary Mundy/Millbrook, and out of the gate am having a hard time deciding between the regular (buckle at the top, at the stirrup bar) or buckle at the bottom (a la Bates Webbers). I had a pair of webbers with my other horse and really liked them.

I’ve read that a potential drawback could be there’s less of the stability factor (in the TSF model, buckle at the bottom = slightly narrower leather/fender, and apparently it’s the wider leather width that increases the stability). OTOH, buckle at the bottom means no bulk under the thigh at the stirrup bar.

I would love to hear from anyone who has these leathers - regular, or buckle at the bottom. If it’s the regular style, do you feel bulk/the buckle at the top? If you’ve got buckle at the bottom, do you feel there is still a dramatic amount of stability over regular stirrups?

Any input on these would be greatly appreciate. I’ve searched and found the H/J board for some reason seems to have more threads about them, and I’m hoping there are people here who can share their experience. Thanks!

[SBrentnall]

I have the Total Saddle Fit ones and I love them. There’s much less bulk under my leg and my lower legs swings less. I don’t feel any bulk at the stirrup bar.

[Speedy_Alice]

Thank you for your feedback! Do feel like there are any cons to the regular style? All I can think of is that the regular ones might have a little bit of bulk at the top, compared to the ones that buckle at the bottom? But SBrentnall, you don’t feel any bulk with the regular stirrups…?

[mychestnutvalentine]

I have had my millbrooks for years. They wear nice however they do stretch. I recommend swapping them often from one side to other.

I have had 2 major ankle injuries which have weakened my ankles so much I’ve actually had my ankles roll while posting in the saddle. These leathers have helped stabilize my legs and help take some of the pain away.

[Speedy_Alice]

Thank you, mcv - that’s really encouraging to hear about the comfort. I’ve read that about the Millbrook leathers being prone to stretching - will see how the TSFs do.
Update ~ I did learn from TSF that the wide leathers of the “Slim” version are the same as the regular version, despite what I’d read somewhere about them being, well, slimmer. Seems that they should provide the same amount of stability as the regular version, and that the main drawback is that the stirrups can’t be run up.
I ordered a pair and can’t wait to try them. Still have to get stirrups, though. Looking forward to reading the thread that was recently started…