How long are your stirrups supposed to be?

[simons-mum]

I ride at two different schools, one constantly tells me my stirrups are too long, the other tells me they are too short, the picture shows the length I ride my own horse at home which feels comfortable for me (I know it's a dodgey angle!). One school would tell me to put them down one hole and the other would tell me to put them up 2 holes :confused: Should it differ depending on the horse/pony you are riding or the dicapline?

http://www.newrider.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=336&pictureid=2600

[*katie*]

I was always told by my RIs for general riding, if you let your leg hang down out of your stirrup, the bottom of the iron should come to your ankle bone. I wear them like that and normally shorten them 2 holes for jumping, in dressage you generally ride with them a bit longer (if i've got this wrong, blame the RS not me :p!) - but just go with whatever feels comfy for you; it's all how it works best for you and your pony

[Bay Mare]

That's pretty much how I've always been told.

It's difficult to judge from the photo but I certainly wouldn't be putting your stirrups up for flatwork and if you were stable enough I would possibly be putting them down a hole (but don't quote me on that as it's just the impression from the piccie :) ).

[Wally]

If you are happy, and stable and able to cope with most situations with your stirrups that length I really wouldn't worry too much. I have seen folk with stirrupsup around their ears! Your's look a good, reasonable length.

I find that the ankle bone analogy makes my stirrups far, far too short, If I put my stirrups tht length I could jump in them.

I find, for me to be comfy, my stirrups hang level with the seam on the heel of my boot, not my ankle bone.

[Sticky's GF]

I'd go with whatever you are comfortable with. I have 2 instructors, flatwork one is into pure dressage, jumping one is a pt-pt trainer/jockey - so both have extreme ideas about stirrup levels, when I am just happy in the middle!!!

[BlueWicked]

yeah ride with what you are comfy with. I have been to different ri's who have told me the same.

My lower leg (shin bone) is disporportionately long, given im only 5ft3. I feel very uncomfy in shorter stirrups.

[xloopylozzax]

i use the stirrup iron to the arm pit method. if they dont feel comfy though i alter them when im on board. alos depends who i am riding and what i am doing...

[horses4eva888]

i use the stirrup iron to the arm pit method. if they dont feel comfy though i alter them when im on board. alos depends who i am riding and what i am doing...

I do too but add on another 2 holes as I have much longer legs than arms!

Also do the ankle way sometimes but generally go by how I feel comfy!

[HAYLEY GITTOES]

I always put the stirrup iron under my arm and then put it one hole shorter, seems to work for me !!!!

[Trewsers]

I knew there was some way of measuring them - so you put the iron under your armpit and thats supposed to be where you set them? I mean, the leather bit (gosh I sound confused don't I?!)

[simons-mum]

Thanks for all your replies :) One of the yards is a jumping yard and although the other is sort of jumping orientated the Instructor is very dressage orientated, the type that says everything is about flatwork and dressage :rolleyes: I haven't done much jumping here yet because it's a group lesson and the average ability of the group is not really ready for jumping yet in the instructers opinion. I am now doing a small cross country course at the other place after only 5 weeks of going there! I feel well able for it and find my confidence has soared since I started there. I'm getting a bit off the point now though!

To summarise maybe the difference of opinion is due to the focus on different diciplines at the two places.

[Wally]

There are not hard and fast rules, My body ratio will not allow for these armpit measures, my legs are longer than my arms!

Get on, (every horse will be different) put your stirrups how you think they will be comfy. Have a warm up in walk and a bit of trot, if you are not happy alter them!

[jenmac_85]

I generally go with the stirrup reaching the ankle bone.

I prefer riding long as I feel it is easier on the joints so I probably ride in what woudl be considered 'long' jumping stirrups.

However, as a few others have said, go with what you feel comfortable and balanced in