Western Style Safety Stirrups

There are several options for riders who would like a western-style safety stirrup, and you can make a choice for what you need by what type of riding you do. There are also things you can do to make your current stirrups safer.

  1. STI Breakaway Stirrups

    • The most western-looking safety stirrups are produced by Saddle Technology Incorporated (STI). These stirrups are designed to be released by a special mechanism that is part of the stirrup. When the rider's foot pushes the stirrup forward to a 45-degree angle or pulls it backward to a 72-degree angle, the stirrup comes off the stirrup leather to release the rider's foot entirely. The manufacturer offers various styles such as oxbow stirrups and bell-shared stirrups, as well as a youth stirrup. Price depends on the style you choose.

    Escape Breakaway Stirrup

    • SmartRider makes a breakaway stirrup for Australian and Western saddles called the "Escape." The stirrup is made of two parts. The smaller stirrup inset rotates and pulls away from the rest of the stirrup if you come off. Also, if you rotate the inset 180 degrees, you use the stirrup as a mounting aid. The Escape stirrups cost approximately $100.

    Abetta Stirrups

    • Abetta offers two safety styles. The first is a breakaway stirrup similar to SmartRider's design. When the rider's toe tilts up and applies pressure to the bar on the top of the inset stirrup, the inset releases and rotates to let the rider's foot fall out. The breakaway stirrup costs approximately $75.
      The second design is a moderation of the E-Z Ride stirrups, Abetta's long-distance riding stirrups. Abetta added a "safety cage" to the E-Z Ride stirrups to keep the rider's foot from sliding through. Depending on the style of stirrup you buy, whether aluminum or nylon, the safety cage stirrups cost approximately $75.

    Tapaderos

    • Similar to the safety cage on the E-Z Ride stirrups offered by Abetta, you can purchase tapaderos from various sources to place on the western stirrups you already own. Tapaderos come in leather or nylon depending on your preference, and are available from many sources at different price points.

    Safety

    • As another point, even safety stirrups can only do so much if you don't practice safe riding practices. Ride only in slick- and thin-soled boots with an one-inch heel (no tennis shoes or thick crepe soles). Higher heels can trap your foot just as much as a sole that is too thick. Before buying stirrups, measure your foot in your riding boots and buy stirrups that are about half an inch wider than your foot measurement, but don't buy stirrups that are too wide. Too-wide stirrups can trap your foot, too.