Stirrups and stirrup leathers are fundamental pieces of tack, but it can be challenging to work out exactly which combination will suit you the best. If you have specific needs or preferences, the chances are that there will be a stirrup iron to support you. Equally, stirrup leathers have plenty of variety too, whether this is what they’re made from, their core, or their overall design. And no stirrup jargon buster would be complete without covering safety stirrups, the different mechanisms, and how the quick release systems they have can help to keep you safer in the event of a fall… so, let’s get busting that stirrup jargon!
Balance/Wide Stirrup Leathers – these wider stirrup leathers help to promote a more secure lower leg through increasing contact with the saddle. Due to their width and design, they’re also less likely to twist.
Bent Leg Stirrup Irons – designed to help prevent the rider’s foot sliding through the stirrup and becoming stuck due to the bent design on the outside edge that provides more room.
Close contact stirrup leathers – these are designed so just one layer of leather sits between rider and saddle. The adjustment happens close to the stirrup for less bulk, and a simple loop at the top fastens onto the stirrup bars for easy attachment. Most often these are used for dressage.
Customised – some of the stirrups available today have customisable elements that can be swapped and changed to match a colour scheme or personal preference without any negative impact on the stirrup iron’s function or integrity.
Fillis Stirrup Irons – traditional style stirrups made using stainless steel with a thick base and a rubber stirrup tread that is removable.
Inclined – this modification to the positioning of the stirrup tread can help support the ‘heels down’ element of the perfect position as it helps put the foot in the right place.
Inner Core – because stirrup leathers are usually made from leather, they can stretch- and stretch unevenly if you always mount from one side/don’t swap them over regularly. Some stirrup leathers feature an inner core made from nylon or another strong material that doesn’t stretch, and this stops the leathers from becoming unequal in length without compromising the traditional aesthetic. You might also see this concept described as non-stretch or wrapped.
Offset – a stirrup design that accommodates for how the rider’s foot needs to receive the stirrup, as in, perpendicular to the horse. This can make it more comfortable for the rider, prevent lost stirrups, and make it easier to get the stirrup back if it is lost.
Peacock Leathers– part of the quick release Peacock Stirrup that loops around the strong rubber band and is pushed onto the metal stirrup iron.
Peacock Rings – strong rubber bands that work with Peacock Leathers and Peacock Stirrups.
Peacock Stirrups – a quick release/safety stirrup iron that has one side replaced by a strong rubber band that should release if the rider’s foot becomes stuck the stirrup.
Safety arm– the safety arm is a feature of some quick release stirrups (also known as safety stirrups) that has been designed to break apart should the rider’s foot become stuck in the stirrup. This can help to reduce the risk of potentially being dragged should a rider fall. It should be noted that this is not an excuse for ill-fitting stirrups- they have to be the right size for the boot.
Shock absorbers/shock absorbing – many of the higher end stirrups available incorporate shock absorbers into the design. This helps to keep riders more comfortable through reducing tension and reducing the potential jarring of the rider and their joints that can happen during a horse’s movement.
Skewed– as per offset, these stirrups are designed around the rider’s natural foot position.
Stirrup Treads – treads that fit into the base of stirrup irons to help improve grip. Most commonly these are made from rubber but you can also find metal ‘cheesegrater’ style treads designed to fit specific stirrup irons.
Webbers – a close contact style of stirrup leather that features adjustment through a clever system by the stirrup and a simple loop that attaches to the stirrup bar. This design means there’s a lot less bulk between the rider’s leg and saddle as it’s just one thickness of leather.
Don’t forget that making sure you have the right size stirrups for your boots is vital when it comes to safety. For more information on stirrups and stirrup leathers, or to see our range, visit the stirrups section online or come and see us at our Milton Keynes store.
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