Documented Draggings Prevented
STI Horse Saftey Stirrups Work!
This stirrup will look and ride like any other stirrup. The stirrup fits conveniently in your stirrup leather just like any other stirrup would. The mechanism hides conveniently in the stirrup leathers, so no one will be able to tell the difference between this stirrup, and one that might drag you. This stirrup won't impede proper horsemanship, it may in fact give you the confidence to improve your horsemanship.
These stirrups have given many of our customers the confidence to ride in proper balance with their horse, and the ability to enjoy riding again.
Another advantage of this stirrup is what we like to call the torsion pressure feature. It takes 8 lbs. of torsion pressure to move the springs inside of the mechanism and rotate the stirrup. Most conventional stirrups will swing freely at the end of the stirrup leather. STI's stirrup will not swing as freely, and offer a rider more stability in a stirrup. In our research most buckoffs or fall offs are started when a rider "blows a stirrup", that is, their foot slips out of the stirrup. Once you've "blown" a conventional stirrup the stirrup will generally swing forward and be hard to regain putting the rider out of balance, or swing backward allowing the rider to put their whole foot through the stirrup. Our stirrups do not swing as easily and should prevent about 70% of stirrup blowouts. But if you do blow a stirrup riding a colt for instance, STI's stirrup will be at the end of the stirrup leather and easy to get back into in a bind. Tim Feland, a PRCA calf roper, actually thinks he's quicker on his dismount because of this torsion pressure feature. The stirrup stays at the end of the stirrup leather, and allows him to get out easy when he has to, saving him a few tenths.
As with any tack, its a good idea to become familiar with this mechanism, how it works, and how to reload it.
1. To cock it, spread the leavers one at a time until they click.
2. To load in your stirrup, place the mechanism between the clips inside of your stirrup, line up the square holes with the shaft while rotating and squeezing the levers together.
3. Be sure to squeeze levers all the way closed, so that the inside lever edges are touching. Pinch the tops of the levers securely as pictured
4. Place these stirrups in your stirrup leather with the word "BACK" facing the heel of your boots
Velcro lever wraps must stay on the Breakaway Stirrups at ALL TIMES to prevent levers from UNLOCKING, which can cause a PREMATURE RELEASE!
1. Once the mechanism is installed, place Velcro wrap behind mechanism as shown. With "loop" (fuzzy) side of the Velcro toward the inside and "hook" (course) side of the Velcro to the outside. This will help protect the Velcro band from the elements common to horseback riding.
2. Securely fasten the bottom band of Velcro by wrapping Velcro band all the way around the levers, being sure to make it very tight.
3. Lay the overhang band of Velcro wrap securely over the top of the mechanism.
4. Pull top band of Velcro wrap securely over the overhanging band, and continue to make a full wrap around the levers, until levers have been secured.
As with any precision safety product, testing and maintenance should be done on this stirrup just to make sure it is working properly. Maintenance of this product is very easy, and we recommend doing it once a year like when you're cleaning your saddle.