So, I am looking for a western stirrup that is easier to keep my foot in. I have a small foot and am finding that I am having great difficulty keeping my foot in. Right now my stirrups are leather covered roper stirrups. Does anyone have a stirrup they prefer and reccomend? I guess I am just really used to my english irons and my brass aussie irons.
You could try aluminum barrel racing stirrups like these.
http://www.smithbrothers.com/polished-aluminum-barrel-stirrups/p/X3-07517/cn/52/
http://www.nrsworld.com/istar.asp?a=6&id=254575!PART
The old word of caution is that aluminum could bend around your foot in a serious fall. Probably not likely to happen but wanted to mention it just the same as it happened to a friend when his horse fell.
Are you putting your foot all the way into the stirrup , right up to the heal?? That is the way western people ride. If you are just using the toe that could be your problem.
I use light weight plastic endurance stirrups with a thick 3/4 inch pad to cushion the foot while spending hours in the saddle.
tnx! I havent sat in a reg western saddle in so long, I forgot what a hassle stirrups are.
Sometimes it is helpful to wrap vet wrap around the bottom part of the stirrup to rest your foot in. This gives you extra traction and you can color-coordinate with your outfit 
I’ve seen many rodeo people do this.
I hate roping stirrups. Too big, too clunky. Hate 'em.
You might look at barrel stirrups- narrow, one inch tread and much more manageable shape/size for a woman’s foot.
Something like this…
http://www.statelinetack.com/itemdy00.asp?T1=SLT735112
I like a heavier stirrup than aluminum affords you, and you can find barrel stirrups in traditional wood/leather.
If you are trail riding, you might like these:
http://www.statelinetack.com/itemdy00.asp?T1=SLT735457
Remember to measure your stirrup leather’s width for the correct ‘neck’ size in the stirrup (the top-bar width). They need to fit well and not be wider than the leather and create wobble/lookin’ goofy 
I am leaning towards the barrel stirrups; I hate those “trail” stirrups they feel so…well anti everything I’ve every been taught LOL.
I do have my foot properly in the stirrup, it is just a huge fight to keep it there. I am thinking the description of “too clunky” is the best explination.
The riding I am doing is some trail, but more of Pony Express reenactments and conditioning. Why the saddle change? My husband has taken over my aussie and besides it’s not very correct for our pony express rides
LOL I understand about the trail stirrups. They are ugly as sin, feel weird, etc…but I use them on pack trips and MMMM they do feel good.
Like you I ride with the western stirrup tread where it belongs, under the ball of my foot. You see it ‘run home’ or to the heel in speed events mostly, or cutting. Not ‘regular’ western riders. At least, I should say, ‘good’ or well schooled western riders.
Roping stirrups are fine for roping but for me, blech.
Well, thanks for the links. I tracked down a pair of similar barrel stirrups for a bit less money, so in a few days I shouldn’t be fighting with those clunkers anymore! They are pretty though; maybe I can make them into a lamp or somthing…
I was having that same problem a couple of years ago and I changed my boots. I rode other peoples horses with their saddles, so I couldn’t choose the sturrups. I bought a pair of ariat western lace-ups with a chunky sole and better grip. This made all the difference, I just have to make sure the stirrups are wide enough that I can get out in an emergency. I wouldn’t recommend this for people who put their foot in to the heel however. Good luck!
OH No, not me! No new boots here; I am a leather sole girl, or light tread. I can’t stand those fat boots. I am not against hauling my stirrups off my saddle to put on someone elses! That’s why they come off I am well known for swapping out leathers on english saddles owned by clients whose horses only fit that saddle!
[QUOTE=katarine;3929470]
Like you I ride with the western stirrup tread where it belongs, under the ball of my foot. You see it ‘run home’ or to the heel in speed events mostly, or cutting. Not ‘regular’ western riders. At least, I should say, ‘good’ or well schooled western riders.
.[/QUOTE]
If you understood physics you would know that the deeper the foot is in the stirrup the less force it applies to the calf muscle.
Think of it this way. If you only used your toes in the stirrup to support your
weight it would put alot of strain on the back of the leg
If you stood on your heal it requires no effort on the calf muscle to support your weight. The deeper the foot is in the stirrup the less effort it is for you to support your weight. The heel on the cowboy boot was made to keep the foot from going all the way through.
The wide endurance stirrup is well padded and spreads the load over a large area. Again this is to prevent fatiguing of the foot. The small english stirrups are too narrow for long term riding and the foot will eventually go to sleep. If you only ride short rides go with the narrow stirrups but if you really need a stirrup that keeps on supporting for long rides then wide is better and take a deep stirrup
How one can infer I that don’t understand physics because of how I place my foot in a western stirrup is remarkable. Really.
Well, my new stirrups are on their way! I really look forward to fully enjoying my saddle now that I won’t be fighting with bits of it.
I am still waiting for the day when their is a line of tack designed for smaller women without me having to buy kid sized stuff!
[QUOTE=katarine;3933468]
How one can infer I that don’t understand physics because of how I place my foot in a western stirrup is remarkable. Really.[/QUOTE]
You forgot the rolling eyes :rolleyes:emotican, for emphasis! ;):lol:
On the trail stirrups – I agree that they are absolutely hideous. Being a predominantly english rider, when I got my Tucker saddle for my TWH I pledged to replace those ugly things ASAP! But then I rode in them. And OMG they’re better than my Sprengers. Really. Who knew? So I’m sticking with ugly!
Not sure which barrel stirrups you bought, but these, by Walls are fantastic!!
The outer edge is longer than the inner edge, so they give you a flat foot pad.
It’s very dangerous to ride with your foot pushed all the way into a western stirrup… the ball of the foot is what should be placed on the stirrup.
And… for western riding, you don’t support all your weight on your feet - you ride with your weight in your seat, thighs, and legs/feet. For endurance, I’m sure you carry more weight in your feet to ride closer to a 2-point position or hand gallup position, then traditional western riding.
Update
Well, my new stirrups came today and I am SO happy with them. I went out for a good hour and didn’t have to fight with them once to keep my foot in and I didn’t get the soreness on the outside of my shin. NOW my saddle is comfortable all the way around. Trickster was much happier too as I was not in a state of constant fidget.
Again, thanks so much on helping me decide what would work best!
[QUOTE=Shadow14;3930075]
The small english stirrups are too narrow for long term riding and the foot will eventually go to sleep. If you only ride short rides go with the narrow stirrups but if you really need a stirrup that keeps on supporting for long rides then wide is better and take a deep stirrup[/QUOTE]
matter of opinion.
i’ve trained several national/international horse’s and trained with my father who at the time was going to ride for the Americans team: translation I rode a lot.
I rode many miles in english stirrups. I eventually switched to the wood cav stirrups because of the brush guard and the weight factor. But I never had any foot issues in all the miles I rode. Loss of shoes due to no toe protection is a different ball o wax
