Stirrups for Chronic Foot Problems

[HotrodHorses]

I am a hunter re-rider and have been struggling with foot pain due to a birth defect. I was born with the bones in my feet fused together so my foot biomechanics are off and I often break bones and pinch nerves just from walking. The Dr. says riding is OK as long as I wear my field boots because they are supportive. I have about 50% mobility in my feet, which will most likely continue to decrease as I get older.

Lately I have been struggling with my stirrups like never before. I noticed I was losing my stirrups at least once per lesson, which was unusual. I am having problems distributing the weight evenly across the stirrup. It’s like I’m reaching for them and can’t get a secure grip. I feel like I can’t do the fine motor movements of the toes and ball of the foot to adjust my weight as I’m riding.

I would love to get some stirrup recommendations since I have been riding in my plain old fillis irons for 20+ years and the world of flexible and composite stirrups is foreign to me! Please help me out before I do something drastic like chop my bum feet off or quit riding :lol:

[Calvincrowe]

I have had several bunion surgeries (1 on the left with another pending on that foot, and two on the right) that have left me with a fixed big right toe and fee that hurt and fall asleep while riding.

I have Royal Rider stirrups with NO flex, and cheese grater type pads. Those are wide based and hold my foot in well.

I am going to switch to the regular rubber pads, though, to see if it will help with the nerve issues I have.

Wider is better, for more support, and the cheese graters hold your foot in very well.

[Donkaloosa]

You could try getting Cloud stirrups. They have, or at least did have, an English version. The footbed is wider and well-padded with closed cell neoprene. Don’t know if that is exactly what you need, but it would be worth looking at.

[Hunter_Mom]

I have some nerve damage issues in one foot, and LOVE my Super Comfort Stirrup Pads. These are the ones that wrap around the iron. They really do make a difference. I ride in regular, heavy fillis irons - no joints.

[_Teddy]

I just ordered wide track composite stirrups because mu foot muscles arent playing nice. I find i need the support of non flexed irons but also need a wide base