Stirrups have been a part of the modern world for centuries, perhaps contributing as much to development and civilization as any other invention. The invention of stirrup leathers (and the irons) resulted in horses being used as cavalry and mounted soldiers in war. The leather strap that connects the metal stirrup iron to the saddleīy using stirrups, riders can better balance in the saddle, ride over obstacles, and perform advanced maneuvers.The metal U-shaped “foot cage” or stirrup iron.However, “stirrups” is a vague explanation as the mechanism has two parts: Most people know that a saddle comes with stirrups, where the rider’s feet rest. While expensive, these stirrups have the quality to become a long-term investment. These stirrups are also great because they are easy to clean and maintain and fit most stirrup irons. They run up comfortably when my saddle is stored, retain shape well, and can be used again without oiling (even when the saddle has been in storage for a while, such as when I recently moved home and couldn’t ride for a few weeks). These stirrup leathers are soft and luxurious. My favorite general-purpose stirrup leathers are Bates Leathers, as they are thin enough to fit comfortably under the wings of my English GP saddle. Stirrup Leather Types: Bottom Line Up Front

Luckily, I’ve got you covered with this in-depth guide on what to look for in stirrup leathers and what brands to consider buying. After all, most stirrups look like oversized leather belts, nothing more, right? To the knowledgeable rider, no two stirrups are the same. You can easily get overwhelmed when you stand in the tack shop or browse online suppliers. Ask any experienced rider, and they will tell you what a difference it makes to have good quality stirrup leathers. Yet, stirrup leathers do so much more than just connect the metal stirrup to the saddle. If they’ve never done much riding, they think of buying the cheapest set of leathers they can find. Saddles, stirrup irons, and bridles aren’t cheap. The stirrup leathers probably did more damage to the rider than helped.Įventually, my riders are ready to buy their own tack (especially if they’re prepared to get their first horse), and they often ask for advice on what to get. Yeah, those blue lines on the insides of the knees and pinch marks along the calves are telltale signs that the stirrup leathers were poor quality. Bulky stirrups lead to - y ou guessed it! Bruising. Suppose the rider has thick and inflexible leathers that push up against the saddle wings, the rider’s ride results in painful legs and stiffness. I teach riders of all ages and abilities, and one of the first things I see when riders have their first ride is how big a difference a great set of stirrup leathers can make. You can also expect a much more comfortable ride with a good set of stirrup leathers. Stirrup leathers help keep you in the saddle and assist you with maintaining a balanced seat over rough terrain. If you’ve ever had a stirrup leather snap mid-canter, you know what a valuable piece of tack a good set of leathers are.

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