There are few things more frustrating than losing your stirrups while riding.
It leaves you feeling unbalanced, unstable, and insecure in the saddle.
Losing your stirrups is not only uncomfortable, but it can also be dangerous. It is a common issue, and there are a few reasons why it happens.
Here are some questions to ask yourself if you feel like your stirrups are constantly getting away from you.
Are you gripping too hard?
Gripping with your legs is the most common reason riders lose their stirrups.
When you grip with your legs, you raise your legs, which causes your feet to get lighter in the stirrups.
This movement causes the stirrups to bounce towards the heel of your boot, making it difficult to keep your feet stable.
To prevent this, it’s important to avoid gripping with your legs.
Instead, focus on keeping your legs relaxed and let them hang naturally at your horse’s sides.
Are you bracing unnecessarily?
Bracing too hard against the stirrups is another common reason why riders lose their stirrups.
When you jam your heels down, you create more rigidity in your legs, making it difficult for them to move fluidly with the horse’s movements.
This rigidity causes the stirrups to bounce around and slip.
To prevent this, focus on keeping your legs relaxed and flexible.
Avoid jamming your heels down too hard and allow your legs to move naturally with your horse’s movements.
Your heel only needs to be just below the level of your toes, not pushing down to the ground.
Are you unconsciously shifting your weight?
If you find yourself losing one stirrup more than the other, it’s possible that you’re unconsciously shifting your weight to one side.
This shift causes your stirrup to get lighter on one side, making it difficult to keep your feet stable.
To prevent this, focus on maintaining even weight on both sides of your body.
You can also have someone watch you ride or take a picture or video from behind to help you self-identify if you’re shifting off to one side.
Is your stirrup length right?
The real truth behind stirrup length is that it’s all about the function of the rider’s leg and the fluidity of the leg’s movement.
If your stirrup is too long, it will be challenging to keep your foot in the stirrup.
If it’s too short, it can cause discomfort and make it difficult to balance in the saddle.
Finding the right stirrup length is crucial to keeping your feet stable in the stirrups.
Stirrup length will also vary depending on what you’re doing and what tack you’re using.
This is why it’s important to find a length every time that feels comfortable for you.
Don’t be afraid to stop and adjust the stirrups if they feel wrong, even if it’s in the middle of your lesson.
Losing your stirrups while riding is a common issue, but it can be prevented.
The key is to focus on keeping your legs relaxed, avoiding gripping and bracing too hard, and maintaining even weight on both sides of your body.
Finding the right stirrup length is also essential to keeping your feet stable in the stirrups.
By implementing these tips, you’ll be able to keep your feet firmly in the stirrups and enjoy a more comfortable and stable ride.
