Mountain Horse SCS3 boots and stirrup treads

[karenmw460]

Has anyone tried these? I have had thelong boots and stirrup treads for a couple of months but can find no advantage in them. I still lose my stirrups on occasion. My boot treads never seem to"slot" into the stirrup treads. is there a knack to doing this?

[Bay Mare]

Can't answer that question as I haven't tried them but I'm not sure that I'd want something that kept my foot in position ... maybe I'm being too purist about it but I'd rather have my feet in the right position because I've got everything (almost) right :)

[karenmw460]

Well obviously I (and I am sure everyone) would rather their feet were in the correct position because they were doing everything right. However, until this happens I see no harm in taking advantage of whatever is available to help.
I was actually hoping for constructive advice from anyone who had used the system not views on whether or not I should use it.

[No_Angel]

i saw the boots and treads at your horse live and tried to play with them a bit:o they were quite hard to get into position.
maybe keep your boots permenantly on you stirrups and put ypur boots on when you ron the horse:D

[Skib]

Bay Mare's reaction is the same as mine was when I saw these boots and stirrups.
I have a pair of short, thick Mountain Horse riding boots bought to wear in winter. The problem is that they are wider and the soles are thicker and less smooth than most of the riding boots worn by riding school riders in the UK. I happened to get my foot caught in the stirrup one day when I fell riding a riding school pony. I learned the hard way that his normal stirrups were too small.
Mountain horse take the question of safely very seriously. They want riders to make sure that they have stirrups of the right size to wear with their boots. Their boot advertisements often now show riders using safety stirrups.
When I saw these boots and stirrups on sale I assumed that it was a safety initiative by Mountain Horse to ensure that customers used the correct size stirrups with their boots. I assumed that Mountain Horse designed riding boots with ridged soles because in Sweden one needs good grip for walking on frozen ground. I assumed that these stirrups were designed to give greater stability of the sole of the boot on the stirrup, to prevent one's foot going too far though the stirrup, and also to allow for release.
I did not buy these boots and stirrups. I did not like the idea of having my foot held in place or wearing anything that might reduce my flexibility as a rider. I also try to avoid using special equipment that might make it hard for me to ride with normal tack.
However, from what you say, one one's foot is not held? A stirrup that really held one's foot would be dangerous surely?
Do you know why you are losing your stirrups so much? In four years of riding I think I have only once lost a stirrup and that was when a horse spooked. May be it is indeed that these stirrups are wider than the ones you are used to wearing? And Mountain Horse have provided that safety clearance either side of the boot?
You asked for people's reactions. I bought long Hunter boots instead, as the sole was relatively smooth. I like the Sprenger type of hinged flexible stirrup which I already use. This style of stirrup has recently come down in price and when the weather turned frosty last month, I bought a second larger pair of those to use with my existing Mountain Horse boots.

[karenmw460]

You assumed correctly that these stirrups were designed to give greater stability to the foot and prevent one's foot from going too far through the stirrup and also to alllow for release. They DO NOT hold your foot in place! That would of course be unsafe. I also cannot see how they would reduce your flexibility as a rider. So what is the problem with them?

I do not lose my stirrups very often, but my foot does tend to slip too far through the stirrup at times and this is why I bought this system.
I really would like to hear from anyone who is USING this system and could give me some feedback/advice. This is what I asked for. To be honest I am not interested in hearing people's opinions on whether or not I should be using it!

[Skib]

I am sorry if I upset you. I speak only for myself. When I used the word flexibility, I guess it arose from the sort of riding I am taught. My teacher doesnt even like students to wear long boots lest it reduce flexibility in the ankle.
I started four years ago aged 62 and d ecided to avoid "special" stuff in case I get reliant on it. I dont have a horse. I like to hack out when I am away from home on any horse with any safe tack. Similarly I dont buy jodpurs with "sticky" seats. Dont use a seat saver. These things could all help me ride, it was my choice to learn to ride without using them.

[karenmw460]

Hi Skib, you didn't upset me, sorry if I gave that impression. You are quite right to do what you feel is best with regard to your riding.
It's just that I am really looking for feedback from those who have used the system, hence why I posted in Tried and tested rather that rider trainng or such like.
Thanks for your input though.

[sidesaddlelady1]

Has anyone tried these? I have had thelong boots and stirrup treads for a couple of months but can find no advantage in them. I still lose my stirrups on occasion. My boot treads never seem to"slot" into the stirrup treads. is there a knack to doing this?
I've seen them advertised in the catalogues but wondered how safe they are. Could your foot get stuck in the stirrup if you fell off? We are always advised not to wear cleated soles when riding for this very reason.

[sidesaddlelady1]

I am sorry if I upset you. I speak only for myself. When I used the word flexibility, I guess it arose from the sort of riding I am taught. My teacher doesnt even like students to wear long boots lest it reduce flexibility in the ankle.
I started four years ago aged 62 and d ecided to avoid "special" stuff in case I get reliant on it. I dont have a horse. I like to hack out when I am away from home on any horse with any safe tack. Similarly I dont buy jodpurs with "sticky" seats. Dont use a seat saver. These things could all help me ride, it was my choice to learn to ride without using them.

"Sticky seat" breeches don't actually make you stick to the saddle. I use ones with Clarino artificial leather seat or knee patches and feel that the affect on my mind is more significant than the effect on my behind and the saddle! Confidence givers in other words.

[karenmw460]

I've seen them advertised in the catalogues but wondered how safe they are. Could your foot get stuck in the stirrup if you fell off? We are always advised not to wear cleated soles when riding for this very reason.

No they don't hold or lock your feet into the stirrups. They are just an aid to keeping your food in a better position but will free your feet easily if you fell off.

[canadianbeaver]

I have the field boots. I love them. They are beautifully made and hold my foot perfectly, especially useful when jumping. 10/10

[Bertie]

Hi Karen,

I have just got pair of these boots and stirrups and tried them for 1st time last night and my overall opinion was absolutely fantastic. I love them and find them really really great. I woud say that the promote and aid the rider in gaining a "natural" and "correct" leg position, the system isn't forcing the rider into a new leg position but helping to guide them just like an instructor nagging at you from the side lines for "heels down". I was able to freely move my leg into any position I so wished but found that during my lesson when my concentration lapsed my leg position didn't because of the angled stirrup and grip system.

I was concerned intially about this "locking" system but this is not what it is like at all, your foot easily slots in and out of place, I never for one moment felt my feet where locked in place and the safety stirrup system gave me such confidence that I was OK should anything happen. I on quite a few occassions during last nights lesson tested the system to see how easily my feet could get out of the stirrups and it was easy as normal stirrups.

I would say in terms of aiding the rider it made me have quieter and more concise legs which is that better for the horse and helped to maintain the correct position throughout my lesson.

In terms of safety whether they're used with safety stirrup irons or not I would say they are as safe as any normal stirrup irons, if not safer, as your foot is less likely to slip forward and get caught in the stirrup.

I would reccomend them to anyone and would say at the moment the only draw back is you muck in the boots and stirrup grooves :p :D

[Bertie]

for those of you that are unfamiliar with the system here's a pciture of one of the types of boots and stirrups: -

[karenmw460]

Bertie, how did you get your feet to slot in? That's my problem, my feet never seem to slot in!!

[Bertie]

Once on board last night as it was my first ride in them I literally picked my stirrup with the leather and slotted my foot in - not the correct way to do it but hey I wanted to ensure I was getting the best from my new boots and stirrups ;) :D

But throughout the the lesson I found that I could slide my foot in quite well and easily but found actually placing it in manually (so to speak) was the most secure way.

I can't wait to try jumping in them and see how they perform :D

[Jane.A]

Have to say you've piqued my interest. Would love an update as to how you get on with them. I am a disabled rider with no left ankle joint. my foot was set at an angle toe down to accomodate a low heeled boot, my ariats actually as I just about live in them! My left foot is also nerve damaged and was constantly getting stuck in the stirrup, not good on a young horse esp as I cant wiggle foot to get it out and had to manually prise it out! Safety was becoming a big issue, i tried some special stirrup treads with a rubber type strap that went over toe to stop them going forwards, this is ok to use on my advanced horse as she is relatively safe, but I still found my foot didn't come out easily enough. I am currently using the Dapps toes caps, excellent and very safe but not pretty, partic when showing and dressaging. Have to admit I don't like making obvious I have a problem, but safety must come first. Do you think this system would work for me, or would I need to be able to move/wiggle my foot to get it out?

[Skib]

Jane A
Have you tried or do you have views on Sprenger styule stirrups? I amabout to visit a rider friend in the States who broke her ankle badly last year and has it strapped quite rigid in a boot now.
I am thinking of taking her a pair.
My instructor has a previously broken ankle and uses them. They are flexible so release your foot. And also absorb some of the movement, putting less strain on your joints.
I think my friend is currently using bent leg stirrups similar to icelandic stirrups. I suspect these hang at right angles to the stirrup leather. With the Sprenger and some other stirrups one has a choice of how they hang. Do you prefer stirrups that hang like that?
I'd be grateful for your views.

[Jane.A]

I cannot manage without my sprengers, they absorb the concussion and I have got three pairs of the real thing and one pair of a copy. Have to say the copy pair perform well too, have them on my hacking saddle. They have made a phenominal difference to my comfort when riding. Cant' recommend them highly enough. I would think she'd love you forever if you took her a pair!

[Skib]

Thank you so much. I have one genuine Sprenger pair and a larger pair that are look alike just for my winter boots.
Do your Sprenger ones hang the conventional way? Or at right angles?

[Jane.A]

They hang in the conventional way.

[Skib]

Thanks Jane.