What am I missing by not riding in something fancy and expensive? Like the MDC Ultras or HS Flexcites. Are they worth the money? And if so, what are your favorites? It’s just not clear to me that these are better than the cheap stuff, and since there’s no “stirrup bank” to try them before you buy, I don’t know what I’m missing.
https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/mdc-ultimate-stirrups-3786
https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/herm-sprenger-flexcite-stirrup-16972
Well, I also dont know what I’m missing. But as I’m on the brink of Medicare age, and have survived thus far with no apparent pain or issues - it is unlikely that I will be swayed by a stirrup that costs that much.
If you don’t have an issue, keep the Fillis stirrups! I crushed my knee under a falling horse 15 years ago so knee pain is a big deal for me. I can tell the weather in my knee without adding riding on top.
I would ask your friends if you can borrow theirs to see what you like. I don’t like the flex ones, but love the FreeJumps feel and the safety aspect. They are not very dressage-y though. I have fillis wrapped in shock tread on my dressage saddle. I don not like the super lightweight stirrups at all.
AFAIK George Morris requires riders use “normal” Fillis stirrups in his clinics.
Nice to hear several voices advocating for the parsimonious, traditional types. Here I thought I was the only one who didn’t spend $200 on her stirrups :eek: 
I do like black stirrups, as I think it looks better against a black boot, but I probably won’t spring for anything fancier than that.
Thanks all!
some of my strirrups are 30 years old. The only thing I like is when they are asymmetric. I think its a more even feeling when riding but thats maybe just preference…
I have these…
https://www.doversaddlery.com/stubben-double-offset-stirrup-irons/p/X1-0704/&utm_campaign=NB_PLA_Retail_Southeast_GOOG/?gclid=CjwKCAjwi6TYBRAYEiwAOeH7GZ8MdyGUQtNmVJ87qq1CVCAFr1jWbXwpHjMDOs9yY7YtqRZfyITW7RoCi7UQAvD_BwE
If regular stirrups work, there’s no reason to change. I have a messed up knee and find the MDC S stirrups (45-degree angle) to make a big difference.
OK I’m going to admit I have recently purchased the MDC Super Sport and in the past I would have sworn I would never spend that much money on stirrups are you kidding me!! So here’s my story had a girl friend that was retiring from horses and she gifted me a pair of used HS flexible stirrups I was like Ok I don’t imagine they make any real difference but I’ll use them sure. Skip forward six months later I had to use a back up saddle for a couple of rides I had the old standard stirrups on them and OMG half way through the ride I am like gosh why are my feet are killing me sheesh well ding ding ding what a difference I was really surprised. So I am pain free in the flexible stirrups. Got a new Saddle to do trail riding in and I figure ok ill buy some new Flexible stirrups for my dressage saddle and use the old ones on the trail saddle. I did not spend 200$ on my MDC Super Sport I shopped around and found them on SALE so spent more like 165$ no tax free shipping. I went with them because I was curious about the turn feature to keep your leathers flat under your leg might as well seems like a nice feature and the platform being light weight wider and aluminum seems nice and I like the metal grippe surface. It was a splurge but Irons last FOREVER. Well I absolutely love them they are so nice to ride in I like everything about them except I wish the rubber sleeve over the flexible part was black and not grey :(. They feel really good on my feet (I had Foot surgery in December) are so supportive and balanced, I lose my stirrup much less often and they are easier to get my foot back in when I do and that turn feature is just really nice. So for me it has felt worth it
Generally, you’re probably not missing much. A plain old fillis iron is a wheel that doesn’t really need to be reinvented. But - As someone with absolutely terrible knees, the combo of MDC S stirrup and those monster truck tire tread ‘Comfort pads’ has given me the ability to ride again. I was starting to hop off my horses and be absolutely crippled. (and I’m relatively young - in my 30’s.) Love love love them. Can only afford one pair, so I switch them between all my saddles :lol:
Well, I am going to put forward an alternative view. I do not have knee or ankle pain, the worst I experienced with the classic fillis style stirrups is a little numbness in the balls of my feet by the end of the ride. However, I did decide to invest in some stirrups and do not regret my decision.
I bought these: https://www.makebeboutique.com/product-page/dressage-wave-stirrup
Why? I love the wide, slightly angled foot bed and, while they are not a ‘safety’ stirrup per se, the side bars are to the front of the foot bed, so less likely to catch your foot in them.
I love riding in these stirrups. Much more comfortable and better positioned to support correct leg and heel alignment and I no longer experience any foot numbness. I’ve also found them hardwearing - few challenging moments at times training my young horse and these came off scratchless.
Lots of lovely tempting colours but I went with black for a neutral look.
Love my Safestyle irons for the safety and the 90• rotated eye. On my jumping saddle I use flexible composite irons. My knees appreciate the flexibility when riding n a shorter stirrup.
I like my Herm Sprenger flexible stirrups. I have no knee or ankle pain with them. With regular irons, I experience pain in my right ankle a lot of the time.
The thing I notice is that jointed/flexible stirrups seem to lack stability. So I’ve debated on and off about that. I don’t brace on my stirrups, and it isn’t a problem for me, but I just wonder about that aspect of flexible irons.
I love my jointed stirrups. Not because of lack of pain or anything like that, but because I can easily change my heel position and leg position and the stirrups just follow…remaining constant in pressure on the balls of my feet. I notice the difference in regular stirrups. I rode a friend’s horse in the MDC ultras. I found that it was easier to “catch” the stirrups after mounting, but didn’t notice much of a difference otherwise. That said, I choose not to ride in very stiff boots and ride daily in half-chaps because I like the increased feel and flexibility in my lower leg/ankles/feet.
I ride in Jin and Lorenzini.
I have knee and ankle pain and also ride a naughty little horse. The Lorenzinis are on the naughty horse as I fail to see how I can get caught in them (unlike freejump where a lot of people have got there foot through them)
I researched a lot of styles for safety mostly and am happy with my decision.
Infact for the last ten years I can only ride in ones with a chain link (like the flex ones) for pain, but my new stirrups dont have that, but seem to be shock absorbing just by material alone.
I’m going to try these. My knees and hips are pretty shot and although I manage to keep the pain mostly under control with supplements and OTC pain meds they still hurt some when I ride. My right lower leg position sucks. I can’t entirely blame joint pain but it hurts less when my lower leg moves forward so it tends to creep. I have to deliberately shift my right hip and knee back frequently in an attempt to maintain position.
Riding Warehouse has them and they are included in their Memorial Day sale so the MCD “S” classic are available for $120.00 with free shipping.
Where did you find the comfort pads and do you have to change anything on the stirrup in order to use them?
I ride in stirrups that are a version of this type: https://www.statelinetack.com/item/c…irons/E007388/. Mine are fairly heavy, which I prefer, as it’s easier for me to find a lost stirrup, IME, if it has some weight to it (I’ve owned very light-weight ones, hated them as I thought they bounced around when lost). Losing an iron is an extremely rare occurrence for me, but I’ve started a number of youngsters and ridden my share of greenies, so it’s on my radar.
I like the fact that my foot has less of a chance to hang up, and having the stirrup leather eye turned 90 degrees keeps the leather in a more comfortable position for me. However, that eye being turned also means that I can’t easily “run up” my stirrups on the leathers; I usually end up crossing the leathers over the saddle seat, to carry and store my saddle. I know that’s not the best for the saddle, but it’s better than not crossing them and therefore knocking the heavy irons against my shins as I carry my saddle.
They look a little different than the usual stirrup, although some of the more recent styles have similar features (S-shaped side or turned eye), but I’ve never received any negative feedback on them. I’ve ended up putting them on all but one of my saddles.
I purchased the comfort pads at Dover, but have never put them on my stirrups. Perhaps I’ll dig them out and do so this summer. https://www.doversaddlery.com/super-comfort-pads/p/X1-0752/
My MDC Ultimates are currently in the tack room. I have plain Fillis irons on my saddles. The flexibility of the MDC’s makes a difference for conditioning work and jumping, but I don’t like it for dressage. The ability to click out the angle is nice, but isn’t necessary for me.
I hate the look of a black stirrup iron against a black boot, and I hate the lightweight irons.
Love my MDC (Ultimates? They have the flexible foot bed and turning tops). Perfect for me. Helps my ankles and knees. I’ve tried going back and just feel pain. I love the way they look, too, and how my leathers lay flat. Like them only for dressage, though. If I jump I prefer my old Fillis stirrups. I just like that bit of stability. Yep, my knees pay for it, but I like how it makes me feel a bit more secure when in a jumping position.
OP, I know some people love various flexible/slanted/super light stirrups. I ride in basic Fillis stirrups without pain.
I have the md5 stirrups one step down from the ones you shared. They swivel but aren’t flexible. I bought them mostly because I have large feets and needed a 5" stirrup and it’s what they had at DE when we went. But also, I like the swivel.
I think whatever you enjoy and helps you most, you should use. My trainer swears by the flexible stirrups.
I just would not recommend the composite style stirrups. I’ve heard horror stories of them breaking within days of purchase.
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