heels down stirrup treads

[No_Angel]

anyone used these? the ones that slant down so it helps to keep your heels down.
weve got a pair but im not sure what i think of them.

[Jessey]

The ones that slant from one side to the other? I use those when schooling but find them uncomfortable for long hacks, they really help support my lower leg.

J x

[No_Angel]

i couldnt find a pic on the net so i took a picture of my own:p

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b242/madams_walk/PICT0047.jpg

[Jessey]

Ooo, no never seen them, do they make it easier?
I was thinking of these
http://www.robinsons-uk.com/product_images/detail/37107-01.jpg
J x

[No_Angel]

im not sure as yet:p

i seem to put my foot on them, heels go down a little way, but then stop, if you get me. the tread seems to be too angled and feel like they are forcing my heels up a bit. it might just be me though as i tend to push my heels down too much to anchor myself if horses start bobbing/being silly.
im used to my hm stirrups now.

[No_Angel]

with the other type of slanting tread (jesseys picture) do they help keep toes in?

[Bay Mare]

I use the Heather Moffett style (http://www.enlightenedequitation.com/public/products_stirrups.html)ones which have a small slant backwards. They are also wide tread and hang at a 90 degree angle to 'normal' stirrups. I love them. I find them very comfortable, very secure, easy to get back if you lose one AND release easily when you fall off! They also help to 'encourage' your foot not to turn out :) They're fabulous for jumping though I use them for flatwork too.

I don't like the slanted stirrup treads (the ones that slant to the inside). We used them for a purpose in RDA but I don't think that they're overly helpful for 'regular' riders, it's much better if you can work on opening your hips and allowing your legs to 'hang' better :)

[No_Angel]

ive got the hm ones on my saddle, and i agree, they are lovely:)
these stirrups are on my mums saddle (shes got double s bend icelandic stirrups on it now)

[Calsanjo]

I don't understand the point in them. The reason your heels are down when you ride is because you absorb your weight through your leg down into your heel. Surely if you need stirrups to make your heels angle downwards, you're not riding correctly?

[katefarmer]

I don't understand the point in them. The reason your heels are down when you ride is because you absorb your weight through your leg down into your heel. Surely if you need stirrups to make your heels angle downwards, you're not riding correctly?

Must agree here. The heel should drop down because the leg is relaxed, and the ankles and knees are free to act as shock absorbers when the horse moves. If you force the heel down with a slanted stirrup tread, you reduce the angle the ankle can work through and encourage tension and stiff joints.

I've tried the backward slanted treads (they were on a horse I was riding for someone else), and found them very uncomfortable. I couldn't find the angle without either pushing my heel down or sliding my leg forwards - both rather undesirable! :D

Obviously some people like them - perhaps I have weird feet!:D

Kate
www.harmony-project.net

[chapsi]

I had some swivel action stirups. They made me go out of balance all the time.

[teabiscuit]

i had some of the treads in Jesseys picture and i couldn't wait to get back off the first ride so that i could take them out and throw them away :) i couldn't get on with them at all :(