Stirrup Length

[wanabe]

I've gotten to the stage in my training where my RI gives me discretion on setting my stirrups. On my last hunt, I asked where to set them and she said "wherever you want". Plus in lessons she won't fuss at me if I go up or down a hole from where we started.

What she hasn't done a good job on is telling me the rationale behind changing stirrup lengths. I know you generally want to go shorter when jumping, but the question is, what are you gaining by going longer? On the hunt, do I want to go short for the jumps or long for added security (if that's what I get). What happens if you go too long and too short?

[molly34]

For flatwork and general riding I find longer is more comfortable, and makes it easier to open up through the hips and absorb the horse's movement, sitting deep as opposed to heavy.

Most of the RI's at my old school just taught us to have the stirrups where they felt comfortable, then pull them up a couple of holes to jump.

[teabiscuit]

i think shorter stirrups let you get your backside out of the saddle while staying in balance,and the angles of your hip and leg joints close up and let them absorb the shock better

[coss]

i would say for hunting you would want them inbetween flatwork and jumping length. if i'm doing dressage i ride with long stirrups as it enables me to wrap my legs round the horse more and means i can move my leg from my hip more easily. for jumping you need to close the angle of the knee and hip so that you can remain in balance over jumps more easily. i can go 5/6 holes up from dressage length to jumping but generally the jumps i do only need me to go up 2 or 3. i've jumped quite happily at dressage length ;)
you simply need to find the length you feel comfortable and most secure for the longest time.

[wanabe]

Thanks all!

So, good rule-of-thumb is to have a 2-hole difference between flatwork and jumping and split the difference for hunting? Simple and easy to remember -- I like it! :)

[coss]

Thanks all!

So, good rule-of-thumb is to have a 2-hole difference between flatwork and jumping and split the difference for hunting? Simple and easy to remember -- I like it! :)

sounds good to me

[IrisSilverMoon]

I think its usually a feeling thing. I have my standard flat work long stirrup length (believe it or not i go up about four holes for jumping), but that can even change from horse to horse if i am riding a smaller horse or one that's harder to get my leg around.

my flat work length is right at my heel and jumping work hits just above my ankle bone.

by letting you stop and adjust she's probably just letting you figure out what works for you and feels best for you. I'm sure lots of people may find my stirrup length a too long, but its what i find most comfortable, effective and secure feeling.

[TheWorldOver!]

I agree with everyone and instead of just repeating what they said, I wanted to add what I was told. For flatwork, the stirrup should be the length of your ankle when your leg is straight down and off the stirrups. I was told that this should be a quick way to gage the average stirrup length.

And there is always people like me who think that one leg is higher than the other and yet both stirrups are on the same hole. Go figure! ;)

[goeslikestink]

look here-http://www.newrider.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1453063#post1453063

[Back2Black]

I go up 4 or 5 holes for jumping from my dressage length

[cwb]

And there is always people like me who think that one leg is higher than the other and yet both stirrups are on the same hole. Go figure!

The leathers stretch unequally because you mount from the left, so there is often a real difference between the lengths! That is why you should swap the leathers over from time to time. Also, your legs can be unequal in length too.

[wanabe]

look here-http://www.newrider.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1453063#post1453063

That link doesn't work. :(

[goeslikestink]

look again x
http://www.newrider.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1453063#post1453063

[Zingy]

And there is always people like me who think that one leg is higher than the other and yet both stirrups are on the same hole. Go figure! ;)

Often down to your perception of your body not being totally true reflection of reality :D Most people are one sided and therefore have stronger muscles on one side of their body. That can make you mentally think that the stronger side of your body is shorter. Add to that the fact that mostly, people sit with unequal weight on their seatbones and it is very easy to feel that your stirrups are different lengths when in fact it's a combination of true lopsidedness and incorrect perceptions. It's incredibly difficult to correct.

I know of someone who used to ride with one stirrup 2 holes shorter than the other. They felt that they were sitting straight :eek:

[goeslikestink]

enough words dont ride as write and you give on the side you strongest on