Horse stirrups are possibly one of the most overlooked, yet most important, pieces of equipment. As the foundation of the rider’s position, it’s crucial that they offer reliability and stability for the rider. Safety stirrups aren’t just another fad. They’re the latest safety technology that’s designed to prevent injuries and reduce the dangers of riding horses.
What is the purpose of safety stirrups?
The design of horse stirrups hasn’t changed in more than 1500 years. According to the Cambridge University Press, the oldest known example of an iron stirrup dates to the fourth or fifth century A.D., and was found in Mongolia. While other horseback riding equipment has evolved with the advent of new data and technology, stirrups have remained essentially unchanged– until recently.
The modern safety stirrup is a relatively new technology that has risen in popularity in the last few years. Just like better saddles were designed to protect the horse’s welfare, safety stirrups are designed to protect the rider’s welfare. Traditional steel horse stirrups can quickly become a trap if the rider’s foot slides too far forward during a fall. If the foot twists, steel stirrups may trap the foot, causing the rider to dangle by one leg, often causing significant damage to the ankle, and placing the rider in an extremely dangerous position.
Previously, English equestrians would only have two choices for horse stirrup design– a peacock stirrup or a steel stirrup. Peacock stirrups are a rudimentary type of safety stirrup, with a steel bar on one side and a rubber band on the other. In the event of a fall, the rubber band would pop off and the rider’s foot would be released. However, peacock stirrups are not popular for use among upper level riders, as they are not particularly stylish and are meant for use among beginner riders. Peacock stirrups are also not as safe as modern safety stirrups, as the hook that holds the rubber band is a hazard in and of itself, occasionally catching on the rider’s clothing or even lacerating the skin in the event of a fall.
Modern safety stirrups, like the Horsena Swap Stirrups 2.0, feature a lateral arm with a quick release mechanism. When activated, the arm opens 90 degrees to release the rider’s foot in the event of a fall. A spring positioned in the lower part of the stirrup brings the arm back to its original position, once the foot is clear of the stirrup, to ensure the open arm doesn’t become a hazard.
Are safety stirrups allowed in dressage?
Dressage is all about how subtly the rider and horse can communicate. Ideally, the signals passing between horse and rider should be unseen to all but a skilled eye. Naturally, anything that would give the rider an unfair advantage in communicating with the horse is not allowed in the sport. Because of this, certain types of horse stirrups are not allowed. This includes magnetic safety stirrups and stirrups that secure to the girth in order to keep the leg still. All steel stirrups used in the competitive dressage ring must have closed branches when in use.
According to the United States Equestrian Federation rulebook, the Horsena Swap Stirrups would be allowed during a dressage competition, as the arm stays closed, unless the rider falls off. Make sure all the branches are securely shut before entering the competition arena.
How to Care for Your Horsena Swap Stirrups 2.0
The Horsena Swap Stirrups 2.0 are the latest version of Horsena’s safety stirrups. They feature the same great safety features, as well as an incline of 5 degrees to help keep the rider’s heel down. Made in bicomponent materials, these horse stirrups feature a steel core wrapped in a recycled PU outer casing to ensure each stirrup weighs 450 grams– the optimal weight to ensure the stirrup stays down, without being too heavy.
What makes this iteration of Horsena’s safety stirrups so exciting is the removable tread pad and side covers. This allows every equestrian to choose their favorite color and replace parts as they become worn. The tread pads and side covers are available in a wide variety of nine different colors, which allows each equestrian to find the color they’re looking for.
Replacing the tread pads and side covers is easy. To replace the tread pad, open the lateral branch of the stirrup and grasp it firmly, while using the other hand to grip the pad and pull it up and out of the horse stirrup. To install a new tread pad, open the lateral branch and angle the new tread pad so that the bottom grips are on either side of the bottom bar of the stirrup. Slide the tread pad down and forward to lock it into place.
The side covers attach via a locking system. To remove the side covers, make sure the lateral branch is firmly shut before gripping the cover with your fingers and simply pulling it off. To install a new side cover, slide the cover onto the empty lateral branch until you feel it click into place.
What size safety stirrups do I need?
The Horsena Swap Stirrups are available in one size and are designed to fit the majority of riders and their boots. Each stirrup is 4.7 inches, or 120 mm wide.
To find out if your horse stirrups are the right size for your foot, place the stirrup on the ground and step into it, while wearing your riding boots. Your foot should fit comfortably into the stirrup with at least a finger’s width of space on either side. If you ride in extra wide boots, you may find that you need larger stirrups. If your boots fit too tightly into your stirrups, the safety stirrups may not function properly.