flexible stirrups?

[Roheryn]

Do any of you have any experience with any of the flexible types of stirrups? I've seen several in catalogues reputed to be helpful for riders with painful knees and ankles, etc. I have sometimes painful knees, ankles, hips, and lower back and can use all the help I can get! Right now I'm riding in regular fillis stirrups with pads. The flexible kinds are expensive but if they're worth it I might stretch to a pair.

[Libbyo]

Ive got a cheap copy of them. Luv them

[Rarah]

I bought some cheap ones off ebay too.

They really help with my painful knees.

[S_F_S]

Cheap ones didn't help me. I have arthiritc knees and can't physically ride in traditional fixed stirrups - well actually I have a tolerance of about 10 minutes before my knees fix up.

I opted for the sprengers becuase they actually have more links (i think is like a bicycle chain) in them and more flexibility than the cheaper versions - and to be honest its not something I wanted to compromise money on - I can't ride without them so worth getting the best!

[Iron Maiden]

I bought cheapy ones after I busted up my knee, really like them - I'm sure they help. Might buy some Sprengers because mine squeak though!

[S_F_S]

If you do want sprengers best place is to buy from the continent - I got my first pair (oh yes, I have several - saves changing stirrups over!) when I was in france at about half the price they retail over here.

[Libbyo]

mine dont creak at all!

[Skib]

I use Sprengers. Recommended for joints by my RI.
But be careful when mail ordering. I had great trouble over the sizing. It is worth going to a shop and trying them over your boots.

I am not sure whether it is the conversion of cm to inches or the additional rubber inside the stirrup. But in Sprenger I need a size bigger than in normal UK stirrups, a five inch Sprenger is equivalent to four and three quarter inches normal UK stirrup.

And the reason I have two pairs to fit two sizes of boot is that I ordered the wrong size for a friend and couldnt get my money back. So I changed it for a larger size which I wear in winter over yard boots.

[Mareish]

I have Sprenger copies and the other two on our yard have sprenger, can't get on with normal fixed irons anymore :)

[Jessey]

I found them OK to ride in, but for really achey knees find these better
http://www.performance-equestrian.com/admin/SSA-.jpg
they are used in endurance and have a rubber shock absorber to connect tot he leather and foam treads which are eatra wide and they really do help lots on long rides :D

[ponylover88]

...

[Roheryn]

Well--it seems I had better try the Sprengers, or perhaps a cheaper version of them.
Jessey--the western stirrups you posted look a lot like the stirrups on my western saddle, and they are a lot more comfortable than the fillis stirrups I've been using when I ride dressage (which were given to me by a friend a couple of years ago, as were my "leathers" which are really Webbers). So having saved on leathers and stirrups so far, maybe I should invest in a pair of Sprengers.
I'll keep in mind the size difference too.

Thanks, all! :) I really appreciate the feedback.

[Jessey]

Those stirrups are not western, they are suitable for putting onto almost any saddle, many endurance riders use them on their english saddles :D they have a special attachment to fit onto english leathers (which also keeps them centred) but should fit western too :D
I got mine from Performance Equestrian (http://www.performance-equestrian.com/cat/cat020500x-item_0.html)

[Roheryn]

Originally posted by Jessey:
Those stirrups are not western, they are suitable for putting onto almost any saddle, many endurance riders use them on their english saddles they have a special attachment to fit onto english leathers (which also keeps them centred) but should fit western too
I got mine from Performance Equestrian

Oops. Sorry! :o
What I should have said was, those stirrups you posted look like the ones on my western saddle. I will check out Performance Equestrian for them as I've never seen them anywhere 'til now. I'm glad you put about the attachment--I was wondering how they fit on English leathers. :)
I looked at Sprenger stirrups in my Dover catalogue last night--nearly $200!! :eek: There was another brand called Horse-S, I think, that were about $26-something on sale.
I hope someone where I ride has a pair of Sprengers I can try!!!!

I love doing smiley faces. :D

[lizayr]

Ive got a cheap copy of them. Luv them

are the cheapy as good as real thing? pm please very sore n thnking of buying set

[fenpedia]

ive got the cheapy ones, got em off the old ebay :)
i noticed a great difference and can ride for much longer with em,
ive never rode in sprengers to know the differnce but these suit me fine and are soooo much better than reg stirrups

[lizayr]

suppose just need to be convinced cheapy ones r just as good ninety odd quid is alot to pay

[lizayr]

shd i buy cheapies or save fr dear ones whts the difference?/

[Roheryn]

Who sells the cheapy ones? All I've seen in Dover's catalogue are the Sprenger ones, and some cheaper ones called Horse-S jointed stirrups which I'm not sure if they're the same sort of thing. I haven't seen any Sprenger "copies" or anything but I really can't afford nearly $200 for stirrups.

Are the Horse-S ones good?

[lizayr]

i seen the cheapy ones advertised in derby house catalogue and on ebay if u check online, i just was wondering if they were any good

[Daffy Dilly]

Text speak! :rolleyes:

I recieved my Sprengers today, and I have to say, they are nice. Felt like my leg wasn't pushing against anything for most of the one hour ride. When something did start aching (normally knees after 20mins) it was my ankles about 50mins into the ride, because I put the stirrups up a hole too much. Did walk trot and canter, and all fine.

I'm sold. :D

[showjumper-zoe]

I have them, they are better for the horses back and riders back and ankles. It helps me as my joints lock and I had physiotherapy I love them, if i ride in ordinary stirrups they hurt my ankles.:o