Toe Stoppers?

[*toHorse&Away*]

Hi

Has anyone tried the toe stoppers advertised on this site and elsewhere.
I was just wondering if this might be a good investiment to help keep feet where they are supposed to be while the rest of the position and balance is worked on. :rolleyes:

Has anyone had any first hand experience and if so, what do you think?

Thanks! :)

[No_Angel]

I bought a pair for my mom as she tends to grip up in canter and it stops her feet sliding through. She is alot happier with them and has got a lot more confident.
I found I couldn't get my foot in far enough when the were put on how they recommend, so I put them on the more forward party of the stirrup and but the tread on aswell, if you get what I mean :p

[Debi]

I did a riding clinic in New Zealand in April and used toe stoppers there. I really liked them and planned to buy a pair when I got back to the US (especially bc the list price is cheaper here) but I can't find any internet site that sells them or any tack shop that has them. They really helped me with to not put too much foot in the iron. And they are a safety feature as well. If anyone knows how i can order them from a US company, please let me know. THanks.

[Bay Mare]

I've used them once when I rode one of our RDA horses ... I hated them! I can see that they have a use but I found them really uncomfortable to ride in and I didn't feel safe (although they are safer I guess!).

I'm not sure that even if I used them I would use them to 'keep' my foot in the correct position. If you improve your position and balance then you will find that your foot position is better anyway and that you will stop losing your stirrups as you stop gripping.

[can't_decide]

i have used them and hated them!! i found them really uncomfortable, it was probably more dangerous for me as i couldn't get my foot in the right position at all! yuk yuk yuk horrible things! :cool:

[Ipsa]

I have used them and didn't notice them at all. If you tend to put your foot too far in the stirrups thay might seem uncomfortable but other than that I can't really see how they would be a problem unless your stirrups are the wrong size.
They are quite popular over here and they are promoted as a safety device to prevent you been dragged which thank goodness has never happened to me but would be terrifying :(
That is the main benefit of them to my mind- to prevent you getting your feet too far in the stirrups so that if you fall you will not be dragged.
I have yet to see anyone use them on cross country as I think they would be a hindrance over drop jumps and if you are like Andrew Nicholson who rides with his feet a long way in the stirrups.

[*toHorse&Away*]

Aaah!
Almost feel the need for a poll coming on ;) - 2 pretty much for, same pretty much against and one inbetween.

Last thing I want to do is start relying on something that may make things worse, as I take on board seat is key, but I was thinking it might assist in the interim as after such a long break I've lost it!! :(

Debi - Not sure where you can get them in the US although maybe this site ships overseas??


Thanks for your help and input - it really helps to hear from people more experienced in riding and who have tried these.
:) :) :)

[Ipsa]

Don't worry about it been something you rely on- it's a safety device :)
A bit like wearing a helmet- you do it to help prevent head injuries. Toe stoppers prevent you been dragged.

Have you looked at the web site
toestoppers (http://www.toestoppers.com/home.html)

[captainkodak]

can you still run the stirrups up the leathers with them on?

[*toHorse&Away*]

Ipsa - that is one scary website!!! :eek:

Glad I didn't read that before I went to my lesson!!

Captainkodak - I don't know is the answer though I had a look at the FAQ's on the site. Can't tell from the piccys although it looks like it might be a bit awkward if it is possible eg/ when crossing stirrups to ride without them....

[No_Angel]

Yes you can run your stirrups up with them on. also if they annoy you when your riding you can unto the velcro and stick them to your d-rings (like i did :D )

[CathyK78]

I think it depends on the comfort level of the horse/rider combination. I have a 19 yr old QH I've owned for 10 years. I don't feel the need for Toe Stoppers or even a helmet when I ride him - i even ride him bareback. BUT, I have a 5 yr old Arab, just started last year. I want EVERYTHING in my favor when I'm on him, since he is so flighty. Helmet, boots, Toe Stoppers and all my senses. :D

I saw a friend of mine get dragged about half a mile down a gravel road years ago. It was a horrible sight -- and I felt so helpless watching. Luckily, she came out of it with only a broken arm (and broken pride).

For anyone in the US that doesn't want to pay the overseas shipping, I found them at www.positivelyriding.com (http://www.positivelyridingl.com)

Cathy

[Bay Mare]

If you tend to put your foot too far in the stirrups thay might seem uncomfortable but other than that I can't really see how they would be a problem unless your stirrups are the wrong size.

I don't ride with my foot too far in the stirrups so that can't be the explanation for me! Also the stirrups were my size. I just hated them. No real reason. I MUCH prefer the wide tread stirrups, although they're not advertised as 'safety' stirrups as such I've never (touch wood) had a problem with them releasing.

[No_Angel]

i also prefer my wide tread stirrups to the toe stoppers. i find the toe stoppers are alot more comfortable if there further thru the stirrups then normal.

[Gnasher]

I've not ridden in the newer kind yet (as seen on the link posted by Ipsa) but I hated the old ones. We have to have toestoppers for our RDA riders who don't own boots, and I've got on a few times with them still on my saddle. I find I loose my stirrups more frequently because they are too slippery when riding in boots and very uncomfortable generally. As an RDA instructor I appreciate their safety benefit, but personally I don't like them.

If anyone is looking into buying them, may I advise you to stay away from the rubbery ones, which have a hole like that on the top of a stirrup iron, which the leather goes through to attach them at the top. They gave us nothing but grief as friction against the iron/leather wore out the rubber really quickly. They were known to suddenly give, leaving the rider with a) no safety feature and b) a flapping topstopper hanging below their stirrup. We also had to have separate leathers and irons as they take forever to remove.

The new ones with the velcro attaching a plastic toestopper seem so far much better as we can put them on and take off quickly and easily, hence why I've never ridden in them! They also seem to have lasted better so far (we've had them since about Easter time, used 3 or 4hours a week on all our RDA lesson horses)

Karen xx

[Floob]

I am really happy i didnt know about what could happen when i did get dragged. I got dragged after a horse refused a jump and spun round, me hanging on with one foot in the stirrup. This was in the indoor arena and i didnt get kicked, in fact i came off with only a dented pride.
Everyone who saw it happen got scared though.

Sorry about that, i dont want to put anyone off.

[Mary Poppins]

The only thing that has helped me keep my feet in the stirrups is hours and hours of sitting trot without stirrups. Since my pony fell over with me on him I wear the safey stirrups with the elastic band that will break in the event of a fall. In my opinion you can still get your foot caught in stirrups with toe stoppers.