Has anyone tried angled stirrup treads?

[virtuallyhorses]

Has anyone tried any of the angled stirrup treads? My instructor suggested that I try out a set of the wedge-shaped treads to help improve my foot position when in extended trot (which slips too far to the outside of the stirrup). I see there are also treads that slope backward to help with the correct heel-down position but I personally don't have that problem.

I've seen them used by many dressage riders these days including some of the top riders - has anyone else out there tried them?

or how about any of the stirrups other than a std fillis iron such as the offset stirrups? Generally interested in how you find them as the old body isn't getting more supple with the passing years and I'd like to know if they help keep the tension off the knees or ankles. cheers

[galadriel]

I have just bought a set that angle down front-to-back, which arrived today. My ankles are so flexible that I have uncomfortable contact with the stirrup iron--with my heels in a comfortable "down" position, my heels are so far down that only the edge of the iron supports my foot. I'm hoping they will help relieve the circulation to my toes ;)

I bought a set of stirrups irons which arrived with the out-to-in angled treads. They really didn't affect my foot position, but they did pinch my toes ;) If they could help you, though, they might well be worth trying--after all, treads for stirrup irons are so cheap :)

[virtuallyhorses]

Cheers Galadriel - I think you might find that a different pair of boots will make a bigger change than the treads. I too have no problems with heels down, rather the opposite when I complain that my heels feel like they are 'up' my instructor rolls her eyes and says that they are down as far as many people ever get them. I only have problems with my feet if I wear my older pair of boots which don't have all the fancy sole thingos in that my current boots do. :)

I actually found a pair of wedge treads the right size for my stirrups in the bargain bin for 99c so will try them out.

[galadriel]

Originally posted by virtuallyhorses
Cheers Galadriel - I think you might find that a different pair of boots will make a bigger change than the treads.

I've always had this problem, actually, no matter what I ride in. My heels just go waaaay down and contact so little of the surface area of the stirrup that it hurts. I've always been a rottenly flexible person ;)

[Nickie]

galadriel - lucky for your partner - but not so lucky for your poor little toes! ;) :D

Galadriel - why not try working without your stirrups to encourage your feet in to a natural position rather than the one your stirrups encourage you to adopt?

Or just try longer stirrups?

Nicola

[KarinUS]

I bought the Stuebben offset stirrups (hole for leathers to the inside rather than middle) and initially attached them to the saddle with real leather stirrup leathers.
They were new and way too stiff. It was such a painful lesson. I had cramps the whole time because my foot slipped to the outside and all of the weight was to the outside of my foot.
I then switched to Wintec webbers which were much more flexible.
Now I like the offset because I can use it as intended, but if the leathers aren't flexible enough for the irons to hang straight down regardless of the offset hole it can be just horrible!

[virtuallyhorses]

Thanks Karin, I'm trying to help myself because my foot (apparently) creeps right up the side of the stirrup when we go into extended trot. My boy can really go, I'm fine on a school horse that doesn't fly, but I haven't quite managed to either stretch my hips far enough or push my stomach forward hard enough (prob both) when we rise\extend. Apparently my foot leaves the tread completely and sits half way up the side of the stirrup so my instructor suggested I try these out.

I actually wondered whether they were supposed to be doing the same job as the offset stirrups - thanks for the advice on leathers - I've got the Wintec synthetic leathers anyway but will look out for any problems.