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Picking out the Perfect Pair of Stirrups
Stirrups help the rider feel secure in the saddle, and many stirrups are designed to increase comfort. On the market today, you can find Stirrup Leathers, and both English Stirrups and Western Stirrups that are made of many different materials like rubber, metal, leather, and hard plastic depending on the design.
Regardless of your need, there are stirrups available for all types of riders. For riders who like a lot of grip when they ride, there are specially engineered stirrups with metal grips. Riders who may experience joint pain will also find there are joint relief saddle stirrups available. Most stirrups also come with a safety release feature that ensures if the rider falls their legs cannot get caught in the stirrup irons.
Frequently Asked Questions About Stirrups and Stirrup Leathers
What are stirrups?
Saddle stirrups are made up of two parts: the stirrup irons, and the stirrup leathers. The stirrup irons are the part of the saddle the rider's foot goes through, and the stirrup leathers attach the stirrup irons to the saddle to support the rider.
How to measure for stirrups?
To measure for stirrups first measure the width of your foot while you have your boots on. The width of the stirrup iron should be about 1-inch thicker than your foot's width. The average length of stirrup leather is about 54-inches and since stirrup leathers are adjustable this will work for the majority of riders. If you are very short or very tall 48 and 56-inch leathers are available but rarely necessary.
How should your feet fit in stirrups?
When putting your feet in your stirrups, you should put the ball of your foot on the stirrup iron with your heels down. When you do this you should still have about 1-inch of space in total around your foot.
What happens if stirrups are too long?
Riding in long stirrups is not necessarily dangerous as many riders use very long stirrups. However, if you are not used to riding in long stirrups it can affect your position and cause you to reach. Riding in long stirrups can be a great exercise for riders who are used to riding in short stirrups.