[seaecho]

I've ridden Western all my life, and at the age of 52, I bought a dressage saddle. Its a Wintec with the equisuede. The saddle is great - I feel much more secure than I thought I would. So comfy! Its the stirrups that seem to be a problem. First of all, my boots keepslipping too far forward into them. I sometimes actually have to stop the horse and readjust them, which is a pain. But an even worse pain is when I stop riding. About half an hour later, my feet cramp up terribly and its very painful. This goes on for about half an hour, and at that point I'm back to normal except for slightly achy feet and ankles. I have the standard fillis stirrups that come with the Wintec English saddles. Any suggestions (without having to pay a fortune) on stirrups that will keep my foot from slipping, and also help with the foot cramps? Or is it possible I brought on the cramps myself by being a bit nervous and tense with the new saddle, and this transmitted down into my feet?

[kellidahorsegirl]

I'm thinking the foot cramps are coming from trying to 'grip' the stirrup with your toes. I know that if my boots are muddy (before I had my cheesegrater pads)..I'd grip with my toes to keep from slipping. My feet would hurt later.

You can buy different pads for your stirrups for better grip. (there are sandpaper pads and cheesegrater pads). OR if you have some vet wrap, just wrap that around the stirrup 'bed/pad' and that'll provide some grip.

What kind of boots are you wearing?

[seaecho]

I haven't gotten English boots yet (how embarrassing) I was wearing my Western boots. Cheese grater? I'll have to look that up. Sounds like it might work.

[Dicey]

That's really weird. I haven't ever heard of that happening to someone before, but I can imagine it's really not fun at all.

The only suggestion I can give is that you might be riding with your feet and ankle in the wrong position for an english stirrup, since you're used to Western. The pad of the stirrup should be placed along the ball of your foot, with the outside edge angled forward towards your pinkie toe. The stirrups also need to be short enough that you can keep your heels down. There really isn't any way for the stirrup to slip back onto your foot if your heels are down and you have enough weight in the stirrup.

As far as the cramping, I'm thinking maybe you are tensing up, what with the new saddle/position, and it's causing you to tense your foot muscle and curl your foot a little bit. Maybe stretching a lot before and after each ride would help, as well as occasionally standing up in your stirrups to stretch your leg and feet during your ride.

If you do end up needing new stirrups, I have ridden in these:
http://www.doversaddlery.com/korstee...X1-0707/cn/97/

and I think they are very comfy for dressage and trail. I don't think they have enough stability for jumping and galloping, but they do help relieve a lot of the pressure on the ankles and knees.

[Dicey]

Originally Posted by kellidahorsegirl

I'm thinking the foot cramps are coming from trying to 'grip' the stirrup with your toes.

Ah, that's what I was trying to say, about tensing and 'curling' your foot.

[idlewild]

I agree with Kelli.

I also think it's just a matter of your learning how to keep the english stirrup on your foot. The reason the stirrup is slipping back is most likely because you don't have your heels down enough. Don't try and press on your toe quite so much to keep the stirrup. Instead push your weight into your ankle and just let the ball of your foot rest in the stirrup.

[kellidahorsegirl]

Originally Posted by seaecho

I haven't gotten English boots yet (how embarrassing) I was wearing my Western boots. Cheese grater? I'll have to look that up. Sounds like it might work.

Western boots are tough to ride english in. Especially if they're the flat soled kind. SLIPPERY lil fellers haha.

Cheesegrate pads: you know on your actual cheesegrater in your kitchen...one side has the little tiny circles (I think for making zest)....well the stirrup pad has those lil metal holes on it. You do NOT budge

Some people say they tear your boots up, but I haven't found that to be true. Maybe they're trying to get 'zest of paddock boot'

[Temposmom]

IF you don't have to use the English stirrups, most us endurance riders use easycare stirrups, or something similar. You can get them in a top bar small enough to fit the english straps. I got a pair with the comfort bar, and it DID make a difference, I didn't think the "bar" would, but was surprised. http://www.easycareinc.com/Other_Pro..._Stirrups.aspx Just a thought.

I also (pre e-z's) had a four bar iron, then put a leather wrap and neoprene pad around them. There are alot of things out there anymore, just need to find them!

Skyla

[JumpingBean]

Originally Posted by kellidahorsegirl

Western boots are tough to ride english in. Especially if they're the flat soled kind. SLIPPERY lil fellers haha.

Cheesegrate pads: you know on your actual cheesegrater in your kitchen...one side has the little tiny circles (I think for making zest)....well the stirrup pad has those lil metal holes on it. You do NOT budge

Some people say they tear your boots up, but I haven't found that to be true. Maybe they're trying to get 'zest of paddock boot'

"zest of paddock boot" made me laugh.

I rode in my cheesegraters for the first time today. I'm not really worried about my paddock boots because they're about to die (I need to try to caulk the growing gap between the sole and the top of the boot). MUCH LOVE, CHEESEGRATER!

[Lindsayanne]

Total guess based on the limited information you gave, but I would wager you need to shorten your stirrups and concentrate on sitting on your BUTT with only the weight of your leg, not your entire body, in your stirrups.

That's pretty common from what I've seen with western riders going english, if you could post a picture of you riding, from the side, we could get a better idea.

Originally Posted by JumpingBean

"zest of paddock boot" made me laugh.

I rode in my cheesegraters for the first time today. I'm not really worried about my paddock boots because they're about to die (I need to try to caulk the growing gap between the sole and the top of the boot). MUCH LOVE, CHEESEGRATER!

This probably says something about my class.... (or lack thereof ) but my first thought was "stick some gorilla glue tape to the sole" LOL I bet it would work!