[Tobar]

Hi, don't know if this goes here...but, I have a question.
How do you tell if your stirrups are too long or too short? I have a tall horse and I am short...I have to use a mounting block to get on. But, I have a time deciding if the stirrups are too long or too short. How do I tell? I have tried to look at other riders and see the leg position...but, I can't tell for myself. Can you help? Thanks a bunch!!!

[luvs2ride79]

Unless you're jumping, it's just personal preference.

For a jumping length stirrup, the general rule of thumb is that the bottom of the stirrup should be right at, or just below your ankle bone when your legs hang down loose at your horse's sides. This is so you can get your rear out of the saddle enough when going over fences.

For hunter flat work (training your horse on the flat) you can drop your stirrups a hole or two, so you get a better feel with your seat.

For western and Dressage, your stirrup should be as long as is comfortable for you at all gaits. For mine, I barely have to lift my toe to get my foot in the stirrup.

You can "lengthen" your leg in the saddle. My stirrups dropped about 3-4 holes over the course of 3 months of balanced riding practice. Get Sally Swift's Centered Riding book and practice her pre-ride mounted warm up exercises before every ride. If done right, your hips will open up and loosen, and your leg will feel longer and your stirrups will feel shorter! Also practice her visualizations for achieving a long and relaxed leg, with heel naturally down (not forced down).

[sorrell]

For English, you can do the fingers/mid knuckles under the stirrup bar (the part that the stirrup leathers slide into, and pull the stirrup up under your arm pit. That's a general good length that can be let out or shortened a few inches.
If your knees are bent too much, you probably have too short of a stirrup. If you have to stretch to keep your feet in... too long.
You should be able to have a slight bend in your knees, so that you can press down on the stirrups and lift yourself up maybe 6 to eight inches off the saddle. If you have a foot between you and the saddle when you lift up...too short!!! If you can't lift yourself up at all... too long.

[Tobar]

Thanks, I keep moving them...I can't seem to get them right. But, I will try to sit in the saddle with feet out of stirrups and see where they come to and go from there. I ride western. Someday, I want to try English.

[sorrell]

Sometimes, the leather fenders themselves make your legs feel awkward and uncomfortable. I did the old, broom handle and tying the stirrups back to bend the leather to a more natural contour of my legs and that helped some, but I usually rode with them too long because they felt more comfortable.

[Tobar]

How do you use the old broom handle thingy. This is a new saddle and you are probably right.

[shakti21]

Hey Tobar I just realized your in Ponchatoula, awesome strawberries down there. that said though....

It really does come down to personal preference. I had to make half holes in mine when i use them because my legs hang a little shorter that they go down to on my english saddle. The funny thing is that I have my western saddle as high up as it goes and would still like them a little shorter. Best thing is to either have a "friend" on the ground or learn to do it from the saddle like I have.

[Tobar]

Yeah thanks, and it's getting close to the Strawberry Fesitival too.

I dont have anyone to help me...everyone works around here. How on earth do ya do it from the saddle? I guess I will get it with trial and error.

[sorrell]

You turn the stirrups from outside edge back- the way your foot would be in them, run a broom handle through them.
If I can find a picture or diagram I'll include it.

[sorrell]