Why do i have a hard time keeping my feet in the stirrups riding in a western saddle?

Question

I have ridden english most of my life (been riding for 14 years) and i've never had that issue with english stirrups. I just bought this bran new western show saddle with stirrups that are parrell to the horse and just today I started working on making them face out (with the broom handle idea). But i'm wondering if maybe the stirrups are still too long (I'm 5'2 its a 15 inch saddle and i'm at the last notch), if my leg has issues (it's just the left leg) or if the stirrups not being turned out is the problem. I tried with all my might today to keep my foot in the stirrup and I felt like such a novice rider! Even my horse was getting upset with me. Any ideas? I have a show coming up in August and i'm afraid my foot is going to fall out the stirrup!! This is too weird!

Answer 1

i go back and forth from english to western frequently, so i feel your pain.

i know it sounds like your first lesson when you were little, but remember heels down. when you're adjusting to different tack it can mess with you and distract you from basic rules of riding and until you get A LOT of time in the western, keep you stirrups shorter.

also, with western stirrups, keeping my toes turned out more seems to help me.

Answer 2

Like you said your stirrups could be too long and that is making it harder try riding with a bit shorter than normal western height stirrups than everyday or two make them longer so your legs get use to the feel.

A new saddle can also be causing this, try oiling it for 2wks straight and do the broom trick to help make it more comfortable.

Western stirrups are usually a lot heavier than english stirrups making your feet slip from them easily, take a good look at your boots and determine the grip it has on the sole. The better the grip the easier it is to control your feet in the saddle.

Anyways there jsut some ideas i though that could be causing it GOODLUCK!!!

Answer 3

I too was thinking the stirrups may be a tad too long.

I have a problem with my left leg.  It's shorter than my right so I have to adjust accordingly.

I'm a crappy rider so I always murmur to myself:

"Heels down, toes out" when I get into an extended trot.

If I don't keep my toes out the stirrups always slip on me.

Take a pic of yourself in the saddle and show us...then the expert western riders can help you out better (and me!)

Answer 4

Keep doing the oiling and sticking the broom stick through the stirups. Maybe you should try taking the stirups up a little, also I had the same issue once and it was because one of my stirup leathers was longer than the other so you may want to have them checked.

Answer 5

You need to keep your heels down and your toes up. thats what i was taught  when i did pleasure. now i do speed i kick my stirrups off all the time lol.

Answer 6

The stirrup should be adjusted to the length of your leg down to the ankle.  Your leg should come straighter down from your hip than what you are used to in huntseat. You just have to get used to reaching down with your entire leg so your heel stays down where it belongs.  Keep working on turning your stirrups...I used to keep mine turned with the broom all the time when I was showing.

If only one leg is the problem you may need to punch more holes in your leathers...your legs may be different lengths (common).  It's more noticable when you ride with longer legs.

Maybe a new set of holes 3/4 of an inch above the ones you're using would help without the stirrups being too short?

Try focusing on stretching your leg down straighter from the hip and see if it helps....August is a long way off!

Answer 7

Sounds like you are already addressing part of the problem with the broom-stick idea.  You should also make sure your leathers are not too long.  Shorten them up one notch at a time, and see how that works for you.  

You also mention that your left foot comes out most.  There are two common reasons for this: 1)leathers might be at different lengths (even though they are on the same notch, the saddle might be made unevenly- it happens) or 2)you may be carrying weight unevenly in your legs (more common mistake that you  might think.)  To check yourself, buy two of the same bathroom scales, and calibrate them identically.  Put on foot on one scale, and one foot on the other.  Stand square.  Is the weight the same?  Most of the time, it actually isn't!  Squat like you are going to sit.  check the scales.  I bet they are different.  try to make them even and hold it.  Stand up and try again.  Repeat.  You have the added benefit of working your leg muscles. This is a good excersize to try even if you aren't having problems. What you might find is that the foot that keeps coming out, is coming out for a reason!

Good luck!

Answer 8

number 1 your stirrups are to long,  get in the saddle let your legs hang down,  the bottom of the stirrups should  hit  your ankles.

Answer 9

I read a neat trick once about a really easy way to turn your stirrups out, you hang your saddle on your saddle stand & twist the right stirrup two to three times to the right & the left stirrup two to three times to the left & tie the stirrups together underneath your saddle & leave it over night, do this a few nights in a row & worked wonders for my english saddle, not sure if westerns will work the same but I thought that was a great idea & hope it helps someone :)

Answer 10

They may be too long or it may just be because your saddle is brand new.  When I got my western saddle, I had this same exact problem.  I oiled every other day for two weeks and did the broom thing many, many times.  It is very comfortable now.  English is easier for me, stirrup-wise, but when the western stirrups are adjusted to my angle, they are also very comfortable.

Answer 11

Keep oiling the saddle and putting the broom handle through it. It also helps if you out some weight on the broom handle. I usually soak the bottom of the stirrup leathers with oil and then hang the saddle over a fence. Run the broom through one stirrup, then a brick then through the other stirrup.

Another thing about western stirrups are they are generally heavier than english stirrups. If your not consitantly keeping your weight in them and they aren't fully "turned yet" they will pop right off your foot :-)  Also they now make stirrup straightners that you add on to the stirrup between the leather and actual stirrup to make them face forward.

You also might have your stirrups too long. Are you in the last notch at the top or bottom lengthwise? If you're at the top and need them shorter you can always use a hole punch. They are pretty cheap (less than $10) and really come in handy.

EDITED TO ADD...Since you said the left foot is the one coming out make sure that the leather on that side is actually the same length as the other. Sounds like your saddle is new? New leather will stretch until it's broken in. Generally the left stirrup leather stretches more than the right due to the weight of mounting from that side. Check the length and make sure they both match. That might be your only problem.