In 2023, equestrians are more safety conscious than ever. They know that they have to take all possible safety measures to ensure the decreased risk of injury and to make sure they and their children stay safe when riding. While wearing a helmet and a proper safety vest are an excellent start, more and more equestrians also look for safety stirrups to increase their feeling of safety.
There are various different stirrup models available online and in tack stores and it can even be challenging to choose the right ones. In this article, we will look at what kind of things you should consider when buying new safety stirrups.
What are safety stirrups?
First things first: what are safety stirrups? Before you can step into a tack store or start surfing for a new pair of safety stirrups online, you have to know what they are.
Frankly, safety stirrups are a type of stirrup that is designed to release the rider’s foot in case of an accident. The safety mechanism in the stirrups can vary and differ a lot between stirrup brands, but the main purpose is for the safety mechanism to decrease the risk of getting caught in the stirrups.
Things to consider when choosing safety stirrups
As there are so many different kinds of safety stirrup models out there, it can be hard to decide which one to pick. The rider should take into account a few essential elements when choosing the new pair of safety stirrups:
- The type of safety mechanism
- The material of the stirrups
- Any other features
- Budget
The type of safety mechanism
When choosing the right kind of safety stirrups, it is essential for the rider to consider the type of safety mechanism the stirrups have. This is important for a couple of reasons:
- Is the safety mechanism allowed at shows?
- Is the safety mechanism reliable?
For instance, open design safety stirrups, such as Ophena’s magnetic safety stirrups, significantly decrease the risk of getting caught in the stirrups as there is no locking mechanism that could get stuck or fail.
The material of the stirrups
The material of the stirrups is essential for riders as well, because some stirrups are made with lighter materials than others. While lighter materials may seem more comfortable, they do have one downside: if you lose your stirrup during the ride, it’s much harder to get it back as the stirrups will keep swinging with the horse’s movements. Best Safety Stirrups for Adult Horse Riders. 1 1. Ophena Magnetic Stirrup. See Here on Ophena. O
Any other features
Some safety stirrup models may have other features as well. For instance, Ophena’s magnetic safety stirrups come with a Smart Attach™-system that allows for easy attachment and detachment of the stirrups.
Budget
Finally, you should also consider your budget, as safety stirrups come in different price ranges. However, you should keep in mind that you get what you pay for and usually a bigger investment is worth every cent. A bigger investment typically means better quality that lasts longer and offers an improved feeling of safety.
