Stirrup Lengths

[tasha]

My sister (who is a wealth of knowledge being that she is doing an ND in Horse Management :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :o ) told me yesterday that I ride too long. She says that shortening my stirrups a hole will bring my leg more underneath me.

However I like the length I ride at, as I can wrap my legs around the horse better and apply the aids more effectively, even if I do have to fight the too-far-forward stirrup bars. I am quite long legged and shorter stirrups do make my legs ache after a while.

I did try shorter stirrups today and liked the leg position they gave, but felt like I was perched upon Kally instead of, well, part of her. However it could just be that the different length feels different so will feel OK after a while.

So what is the better option here?

[Cathy Reynolds]

you may need to change between schooling and hacking (shorter when out for a hoolie!). Try to get someone who is a knowledgeable teacher to watch you. Try to get yourself videoed and look at that and compare yourself with how Heather looks. In the final analysis it's what feels comfortable as long as it doesn't look stupid or result in a dangerous position.

[tasha]

Thanks, Cathy. After schooling Kally today I can now conclude that shortening your stirrups does not always get your leg under you. Mine started out nicely, then after 5 mins I was in the old chair seat again, just with shorter stirrups. Must have looked like an old fashioned hunter!

Think I'll put them back down tomorrow...

[Wally]

I was told that I ride too long, but I feel most folk are taught to ride too short, folk seem to think that they must force their heel down below their toe, to do this you need to get weight into your heels.

I like to think of the sole of the foot level or the heel just a little lower, this way just the weight of your leg alone, and then just the lower leg as the upper leg should be supported by the thigh on the saddle, is enough to lower you heel slightly.

If you have a truly secure seat you can get away with longer stirrups, if you rely on your stirrups it will make you loose your balance and you'll tip in the saddle.

[Hels]

I don't fully understand the thing about weight in your heels. To me if you are forcing your heels right down and putting all your weight into them then your weight isn't properly on your bum allowing you to sit properly in the saddle. I am sure I used to ride quite stiffly because I was half trying to stand up with being told to put my weight into my heels!

[Cathy Reynolds]

I have a 34" inside leg. Not abnormally long. Sue's comment on my legs when I went down to East Leigh was very funny. But I've had to have special extra long leathers made as even the 62" Wintecs were on the last but 1 hole and the end was all bunched up under my thigh.

Also, the stirrups should really be just somewhere to 'park your feet' and the balance should be in your seat - or so I'm told. I am relying on my irons less and less.

[Tumbleweed]

How I get the right length of stirrups for me, is to let my legs hang down without stirrups, then I lift my toes, if I can get my foot into the stirrup without changing my leg position, it is the right length. If I have to move my leg then it is too short, if I don't pick my toes up and leave my heals where they are, then they are too long.