Why the stirrup falls out and how to solve it

Stirrups flying off your feet are a common problem for many riders. Sometimes it seems that you have already defeated it, but when the tasks become more complicated, it comes back. More often stirrups fly off at the arena gallop. But the trot, especially the training trot, is no exception. With "special diligence" the stirrups treacherously fall off on the move.

With the active use of the heels to control the horse, the rider puts the toes down and the stirrups fall. Remember: we control the horse not with our heels, but with our legs. It means the entire surface of your leg from knee to foot. In this case, your calf muscle should be tense, so only a little pressure will be enough.

For sport and recreational riding, safety stirrups are used to facilitate the process for both man and horse. The emphasis on them helps to better maintain balance and shift the center of gravity, depending on the manner and characteristics of the ride. One of the striking examples is jockeys at the races. In this case, the stirrups are fixed very high, close to the saddle, the rider's leg is strongly bent at the knee and the rider seems to hang over the horse, transferring his weight to the support and forward, which allows the horse to move freely.

A special function of the stirrups and in show jumping (overcoming obstacles on horseback) - in this case, the stirrups fall lower than at the races, but higher than with the classic landing, which allows you to make a better emphasis on the knees at the time of the jump.

Do not miss the opportunity to buy high quality and durable stirrups for a comfortable ride, no matter if you are a professional horse rider or just an amateur.

Photo by Gene Devine on Unsplash