Flexible stirrups - anyone used them?

LindaAd

LindaAd

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Feb 20, 2000
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Since my fall today, when my foot got stuck in the stirrup again, I've decided it's time to buy some new ones.

My current ones seem to be 4 3/4", and my boots are 4 1/2" across(that's about 111 cm for the boots, 112 cm for the stirrups) - clearly too small.

I was wondering whether to try the flexi kind - they are said to be comfortable, and I suppose I am a bit stiff compared with some people, and, obviously, your feet don't get stuck in them.


Any comments? Any advice? Anyone tried them?

Thanks ...
 
I just got a pair of connemara bendy ones. And i LOVE them. Its so much easier on my ankles keeping my heels down and toes in. My leg position has improved alot since I started using them!
 
I have a pair of HS Sprenger Stirrups. They are nice but I'm not really sure they are really worth the money. No matter how much weight I put in them, they only flex a little. When I ride with other stirrups I hardly notice the difference. If you are worried about getting your foot stuck in your stirrup I would buy a pair of quick release stirrups with the rubber band. Much cheaper!
 
I have a pair of fake sprengers (not sure what make, but they cost about £23 from Townfields) and I absolutely love them - having come from a RS when every horse was ridden in a rock hard saddles and solid stirrup irons, its amazing how much difference 'little' things like a seat pad and bendy stirrups can make to aging joints and backs. :)

If your primary concern is safety rather than joints though, it may be worth looking at Peacock type stirrups, or Barnes buckles.
 
I love my pair. Its not so much you can feel them "flex" while you are riding - but you do notice the long term effects on your ankles and joints, especially after long periods in the saddle
 
I have some (again cost about £20 from local saddlery) & think they are great! My knees & ankles are certainly greatful! Can't say whether they have improved leg position or not but def feel strange in normal strirrups now!
 
I have a set of korsteel flexi stirrups, which are a god send to me, i never ride without them.... the plate at the bottom of the stirrups pivits and allow's your foot to sit in the right postion without the need to hurt your ankle's leg's or knee's....ive tryed the sprenger flexi stirrups and never liked them at all the dont flexi that much at all and still hurt my ankle's thats why i changed to the korsteel instead and have never looked back
 
I'll be the odd one out then :p
I detest them. I borrowed a pair of Sprengers from a friend and I had real problems with them. It doesn't help that my ankles are already unstable, but the bendy stirrups caused me to have a nasty dislocation and they were just plain uncomfortable to use especially trying to do rising trot :eek: My dad has some as well, and if I ride his horse I have to put my spair pair of stainless steel stirrups on his saddle. I really can't cope with them at all.
 
I have the cheaper version of the flexi stirrups, and they are BRILLIANT - I have knee and ankle problems and they do help with that, and I dont loose my stirrups as much! :D
 
yes i have the endurance pair with the cage on front. they flex with your foot and your foot will not go through the front.
after getting my foot stuck on a gate fitting and the iron squashed i decided to change them, they were peacock saftey stirrups.
i've watched child get dragged with bent leg, so that pair was promply sold on!!
i've also used toe stoppers.

can i just add here that flexi stirrups are not safety stirrups. they flex yes but they do not have release anywhere in the event of a fall. i'm not really sure how companies are getting away with flexi safety in the adverts. when you fall your foot is not always flexed downwards.
 
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i have a pair of Sprenger Stirrups & flexi royal riders and they are fab. I can not ride without them unless i want to be in serious pain afterwards. Definaltey worth the money
 
When you say they are bendy - do they actually feel flexible? I have the MOuntain Horse safety stirrups - you know with the black plastic that comes apart - is that a similar idea? I really like them - nice to know my feet won't get stuck (I'm too heavy apparently for peacocks and I'd been using those for ages!!)
 
I bought Sprenger when my foot got stuck, years ago in RS stirrups. But I need two pairs. One for my normal boots and a wider pair for my heavy Mountain Horse winter ones.
You still need a safe width for your boots. The rubber fills up a bit of the width so you actually may need a size larger than with conventional stirrups.

So if ordering mail order take care. I ordered some for my friend as a present and she thought them too narrow.
I couldnt get a refund (complicated story) so I ended up accepting an exchange and got a larger pair for my winter boots.

I am not totally sure about the safety aspect, but I cant actually force my boot to stick in them when I experiemnt off the horse. And have not ever had it jam in while out riding.
 
the majority of horse related accidents happen when you are on the ground. when i got dragged i was not actually riding at the time, i was simply mounting.:D

i know people say no point in using safety stirrups as they rarely fall off, but everyone gets on!! the horse took off as it spooked and i went with it which just added to it's problem.
 
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