Hello! My friend recently broke her foot and was diagnosed with peroneal tendonitis in her foot. She can barely ride because her foot hurts so much in the stirrup. I came on here to see if anyone else struggles with this and has tips. I found a thread on here about this situation, but it was just English stirrup recommendations and she rides western. Thanks and any help will be appreciated!
I have struggled with both of my peroneal tendons for years and even had to get surgery on one of them. I ride mostly English nowadays but I used to ride western. I’ve found that what helps me is more about the fender rather than the stirrup itself when it comes to western. If the fender is straight like most western saddles are, it makes the stirrup sit parallel to the horse which puts pressure on the outside of your foot because the stirrup is being pulled inward. If however, the stirrup sits perpendicular to the horse, you don’t have that pull. You can “mold” leather fenders to some extent but there are also products that you can put on the fender that connect to the stirrup to make it sit perpendicular.
Time is the only thing that will genuinely help, in my opinion. That, and riding bareback or without stirrups. It took me an unusually long time to heal from my perineal tears - right at a year - but this was in part because I kept trying to do too much too soon. So, your friend should bear that in mind.
Thanks for the replies so far! I will be sure to tell her to take it easy. @rockymouse I dont think bareback riding is an option for her right now because she mentioned she was training for rodeo events like barrel racing and such. @Equkelly I know I personally mold my stirrups with a wooden board so I can just slip my foot into them. Is this what you are talking about?
I’ve got knee issues that sometimes causes numb feet and agree that having your fenders turned/twisted really helps. The pole/hanging turning method can work, but I really like having them twisted and wrapped.
Turning/twisting methods: https://firebugleather.com/how-to-turn-your-stirrups/
Stirrup turners can work, but they often make your stirrups too long: https://www.chicksaddlery.com/redi-stirrups-stirrup-turners
There are also slanted stirrups that can help the foot sit more evenly in the stirrup, and with a wide/large foot bed to help disperse weight. The Ergo-Balance is popular with trail riders.
https://tuckersaddlery.com/shop/tack-accessories/stirrups-tucker/ergo-balance-trail-glide-stirrups/
If she wants a more traditional looking stirrup you can get wide bell stirrups or other types of angled stirrups.