English Stirrups & Leathers

English stirrups and leathers should be appropriately attached to assure support.

A stirrup is used by horseback riders when mounting and riding for support and stability. English stirrups are usually made of metal, generally steel, and attach to the saddle with leather straps, which are known as "leathers." English stirrups are sometimes referred to as "irons," based on the first metal used to make them.

Attaching to the Saddle

A stirrup leather is attached to the saddle.

English leathers have a buckle on one end and holes on the other. Place the strap through the stirrup, and then run the end with the holes up through the stirrup bar, which is located beneath the saddle skirt. Fasten the leather with the buckle. The appropriate stirrup length can be found once mounted. Tuck the excess stirrup leather into the leather keeper to prevent it from flapping while riding.

Stirrup Length

Proper stirrup length depends on the rider and discipline.

Positioning stirrups correctly is essential for the rider's comfort and balance. The position of the stirrup, however, varies depending on the rider's activity, from the shortest used by jockeys riding racehorses, to the longest for dressage riders. For general purpose riding, the length of the leathers should allow the rider's knee to hit the center of the English saddle's knee roll.

Stirrup Safety

Never wear shoes without heels when riding.

Check stirrup bars for rust and wear before riding, and make sure they are in the open position. When not riding or preparing to mount, always run English stirrups up by sliding the stirrup up the leather, then pulling the remaining leather through the stirrup. This keeps the horse safe from being hit by swinging stirrups. Riders should always wear boots with at least a 1/2-inch heel to prevent their feet from sliding through the stirrup in the event of a fall. Stirrups should be at least 1 inch wider than the ball of the rider's foot. Special stirrups, such as Peacock stirrups, have extra features that open to protect a rider from becoming caught in the stirrup during a fall.

Caring for Stirrups and Leathers

Keep stirrup leathers clean and in good condition.

English stirrup leathers, especially new ones, have a tendency to stretch. After each ride, it's important to switch the leathers so that they stretch evenly; the left leather will stretch quicker than the right because it's used for mounting. Check stirrup leathers often for cracking, and examine the stitching carefully. A rider can fall if stitches snap during a jump or event. After each ride, stirrup leathers should be cleaned, conditioned and protected, along with the saddle and bridle. Use a toothbrush and kitchen cleanser to get stirrup pads clean. After cleaning the stirrup, putting it in the dishwasher will make the metal shiny.

English or Western

Western stirrups are wider and usually wrapped in leather.

English stirrups have several differences from Western stirrups. English stirrups are made of metal, while Western stirrups are traditionally made of wood and can be wrapped in leather. Western stirrups hang from the stirrup fenders, which are significantly wider than English stirrup leathers, to protect and provide more comfort for riders over long distances.

References

• Horse Riding Lesson: How Riders Use Stirrups
• American Association of Equine Practitioners: Hands-on Saddle Fitting
• U.S. Pony Clubs: Tack Care
• U.S. Pony Clubs: Safety Rules for Tacking Up
• "Horsekeeping Almanac"; Cherry Hill; 2007

Resources

• U.S. Pony Clubs: Horse Management