Stirrup recommendations?

[Thoroughbred_in_Colo]

As part of conditioning for myself and my mare, we’ve been going on more trail rides this summer. Usually one 2-3 hour ride over easy terrain or a 1-2 hour ride over moderate to difficult terrain per week in addition to our dressage and jumping work in the arena. Arena work is usually +/- an hour per day.

Since beginning these rides, I’ve been having trouble with my feet going numb. To the point where I can’t even feel my foot in the stirrup. I trail ride in my dressage saddle, which I also ride in for all of my arena work except over fences. I don’t have a problem with this in the arena, just on the trail.

I’m open to getting a different set of irons that I can just swap out for trail rides. I currently have these on my dressage saddle. They are really nice for arena work, but I’m wondering if they’re causing my feet to go numb when I’m in the saddle for longer periods.

[ehwaz]

Easycare makes wonderful trail stirrups. Have caged or non cage options. I would recommend the caged- lets you wear running/hiking shoes, which are often more comfortable than boots. I would also recommend the plastic version over the aluminum. http://www.ridingwarehouse.com/EZ_Ride_Nylon_Safety_Caged_Endurance_Stirrups/descpage-ERNCS.html

They come in different top bar sizes- for english leathers,I’d recommend the 1.5" size.

[trailpal]

I had a similar problem - I switched over to what are called “4-bar stirrups”, often sold for Australian saddles or sometimes for X-Country. Here are some examples http://www.downunderweb.com/store/Tack_Stirrups_Leathers.html

Since you can’t use a standard stirrup pad on these, and the only ones I’ve found are suede wrap-arounds (slick!), I wrap each one in about half a roll of Sealtex Latex Horse Bandage. I generally have to replace that about once a year, but it depends on how much riding you do. When you wrap, you can build up the outer edge of the bar to act as the offset stirrups you are currently using.

[AKB]

I use a copy of the Herm Sprenger flexible stirrups and also ride with my stirrups a little long.

[Lieselotte]

For any longer time in the saddle you will need to get wider stirrups than those you use in the arena. I ride in the same saddle for trail and dressage work but always switch between “regular” irons and the wide ones from Easycare.

Your feet going numb is probably pretty normal when you realize how much pressure you put on a very small area. This should improve with wider stirrups and more conditioning for yourself, plus trotting (posting) on the trail will also keep the blood flowing.

But also, frequently check yourself and keep your feet relaxed at the walk. Some people really press down too hard and can’t seem to let their feet just “sit” lightly in the stirrups.

[Thoroughbred_in_Colo]

[QUOTE=Lieselotte;7787084]
But also, frequently check yourself and keep your feet relaxed at the walk. Some people really press down too hard and can’t seem to let their feet just “sit” lightly in the stirrups.[/QUOTE]

I feel like this is probably a big part of the problem, since severely spraining my left ankle last year I have far less flexibility on that side and tend to ride with that foot a little “heavy”.

[Thoroughbred_in_Colo]

@ehwaz;7784128

Easycare makes wonderful trail stirrups. Have caged or non cage options. I would recommend the caged- lets you wear running/hiking shoes, which are often more comfortable than boots. I would also recommend the plastic version over the aluminum. http://www.ridingwarehouse.com/EZ_Ride_Nylon_Safety_Caged_Endurance_Stirrups/descpage-ERNCS.html

They come in different top bar sizes- for english leathers,I’d recommend the 1.5" size.[/QUOTE]

So, do you just loop the leather around the top bar, similar to the way the stirrup is set up on a western saddle?

[QUOTE=trailpal;7786791]I had a similar problem - I switched over to what are called “4-bar stirrups”, often sold for Australian saddles or sometimes for X-Country. Here are some examples http://www.downunderweb.com/store/Tack_Stirrups_Leathers.html

I like the look of these in stainless. I probably wouldn’t even have to switch them out for arena work.

[pryme_thyme]

I had the same issue with numbness and ankle pain.
I literally JUST purchased ‘Super Comfort Stirrup Pads’ and haven’t been able to use them more than a couple times recently but I even had my stirrups jumping short last night and this always sends my toes into a numb tizzy within 15-20 mins. Then I normally have to drop the stirrups and wiggle my foot a bit before picking back up.

With these pads, my foot felt like it would never move in the stirrup, it gave a wider foot bed, I never once had to take off the stirrup in my hour of riding AND my leg felt much more gripped to my horses barrel.
The price stinks. $40 for stirrup pads but these are truly a godsend and I am pretty tough on my reviews typically.

GL!

[Stushica]

If you go with endurance stirrups definitely go plastic. The barn I board at has a shelf with all the aluminum ones she sought first just sitting there lol

Also, just a word of caution, it may take a few rides to transition to the wider stirrups. I’m currently thinking about switching to a regular western stirrup until I can tolerate the endurance ones. I tend to ride very heels down and find myself straining to ride like that with the wide foot bed… I also have tiny feet so who knows. All I know is that my english stirrups are killing me too and the endurance ones weren’t the wondrous invention I thought they would be.

[GotMyPony]

I second the EasyCare suggestion - I love mine. I started out with the aluminum covered with leather (came on my saddle) and that is the heaviest option. When I decided to get new ones I considered both the plastic and plain aluminum and ended up going with the aluminum. The reason? I ride a lot of dusty trails and I really wondered if the hollow square sections on the front edge of the plastic ones would be dirt/dust magnets. I do not want to be working the Q-tips trying to get the yuck out of those squares. Maybe it’s not a problem for anyone else?