Sprenger Bow Balance Stirrups/Safety Stirrups

[Skippys Mum]

Hi there,

my new treeless saddle should be here soon and I will be needing some sort of safety stirrup.

Has anyone tried these and if so, what are they like? Do they do all that they say they do?

If not these, has anyone any suggestions for the best stirrups to use with a Freeform (I'll be putting a similar thread on for girths)

thanks
K xx

[Iron Maiden]

The Sprenger Bow Balance & other bendy stirrups claim to be 'safety stirrups', but they still effectively form a captive loop so if your foot goes through the stirrup, it can get stuck, same as a normal stirrup. The 'safety' bit is presumably the fact that they flex a bit so might allow your foot to wiggle free in some circumstances, but from a safety point of view I think you'd be far better off with a Barnes buckle, that will release the stirrup from the leather if it's tugged hard enough, or a toestopper that will stop your foot from going through the iron & getting stuck in the first place.

[Kadi]

Got them and love them but use them on my Freeform with Barnes Buckles.

http://www.barnesbuckle.co.uk/

[sancho]

Both my daughter and friend use them and love them! They cushion your foot, particuarly your ankle so if you have problems with aching joints in your leg from riding, these would help.

I dont ride in them for the reason Iron Maiden states, as a safety stirrup, they are supposed to give 360 movement but I'll stick to the old fashioned safety stirrp with peacock band thank you!!!

[No_Angel]

I have these
http://www.performance-equestrian.co...0x-item_2.html

They are lovely.

Ive also used caged flex rides, which were a bit small to get my big boots in, which is why I bought the soft rides.

I am selling a pair of my flex rides if anyone is interested

[Skippys Mum]

Okay, just bought the bow balance ones off ebay so off to source barnes buckles now.

Gone with your idea Kadi.

Its not just my ankles that hurt when riding these days

thanks everyone