Product Review: Stability Stirrup Leathers™

Total Saddle Fit Stability Stirrup Leathers
Stability Stirrup Leathers™

Dressage riders are often accused of being "snobbish" and I have to confess, I can be pretty picky about certain things when it comes to riding and horses. I guess we all develop our preferences over time and with experience.

I like a flat, preferably recently harrowed ring - not just because of the aesthetics (but oh! there's nothing better than floating along on gorgeous geometrically lined footing that resembles art work more than sport work), but also because I have my horse's best interest at heart when it comes to giving him the best chance at developing balance, good movement, and a reliable cushion for each foot to land on.

And I can be that way, too, about my tack. For example, when I first started riding, I thought all stirrup leathers were the same. I mean, they all hold the stirrups, they're all the same size, and basically, all you're doing is using them to give your feet a place to hang, right?

Over time, I realized that this was not the case. So I buy good stirrup leathers - once - and keep them forever! Because now I know that the quality of the leather matters, and I don't like thick, extra lined leather, because they tend to pinch and create extra bulkiness right under the area of the calf that should be touching the horse. 

When I found out that Total Saddle Fit has expanded their products to include newly designed Stability Stirrup Leathers™, I was eager to give them a try. You might remember my amazing experience with the StretchTec Shoulder Relief Girth™ (click on the link to read all about it). I still love those girths after two years of regular use!

So. Can Total Saddle Fit do to stirrup leathers what they've done with their girths?

The first time I rode in them, I felt nothing. I mean it - nothing.

In fact, I forgot all about them. And I had a great ride!

It was only as I drove home in the car (where I do my best thinking) that I realized that there was a lot to that nothing-ness feeling! 

 

 

Double Width

Total Saddle Fit Stability Stirrup Leathers
Double-wide leather on top

I think the most prominent feature is the double-wide leather that meets your leg. The extra width seems to fit the inner calf better. So it feels at once flat, and yet there's enough leather to support the contact area of your calf to the flap of the saddle.

The width also completely covers the bottom strap so you don't feel that movement between the top and bottom straps ever again! You know what I mean? Sometimes, do the straps bounce if your leg swings, or slide, snap, or grab at your inner calf? There's none of that with the wider top layer now. 

But speaking of bouncing straps...

Quieter Leg?

Another thing I realized, after my next ride, is that the extra width fits delightfully into the saddle just behind the knee roll. So when your lower leg goes to swing forward, the leather stops at the knee roll. And so does your leg! 

I know most of us won't complain about a stirrup leather that can help keep us stay quiet in the lower leg!

Leather Quality

I knew from my previous experience with the girth that the leather quality would be per Total Saddle Fit's usual high standards, and these leathers did not disappoint. I really am picky about the quality of the leather, and this leather is simply gorgeous. It's thin but not flimsy. It's soft and pliable. It also has that tiny bit of give that I like in good leather - there's no stiffness or harshness to how it feels.

And like I said at the beginning, it feels like there's nothing underneath your calf. Which helps maintain better contact with the calf.

There's more information about the stirrup leathers and how they work and were developed. Visit the Total Saddle Fit website for more information here. And if you want to hear Justin, the founder of the company, talk about it on The Dressage Network, click here. His interview is at 36:00 minutes into the broadcast.

Meanwhile, I'm going to continue enjoying the fantastic design that stabilizes and gives a sense of freedom at the same time! 🙂

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Read more here: 

Product Review: StretchTec Shoulder Relief Girth™

3 Steps To A Quieter Leg Position

Leg Yield/Shoulder-Fore – A Great Way To Your Horse’s Back

12 Riding Quick Tips – #7: Four Leg Yield Variations (Diagrams)

12 Riding Quick Tips – #3: Work On Those Long “Wrapping” Legs

Product Review: StretchTec Shoulder Relief Girth™

StretchTec Shoulder Relief Girth
Girth action in canter

My claim to fame is that I tend to have looser-than-normal girths when I ride. It's not because I want the saddle to slide off; rather, it's so that I can keep my horse as comfortable as possible.

My (now 29 years old) show mare, Annahi, taught me early on how sensitive she was to tightness around her girth area. She is chestnut and thin skinned. She would also sweat quickly when in work. Long before I knew much about saddles and saddle fitting, I would take extra care to not tighten the girth too much so as not to put too much pressure or cause girth galls.

And so my most recent purchase for my gelding, Cyrus, was bought with the same purpose in mind. It is a new style girth, wide and long enough to distribute pressure, and made of soft leather.

I thought it was perfect.

Until I talked to Justin of Total Saddle Fit about their newest girth, the StretchTec Shoulder Relief Girth™. I have heard of the company before. Their original girth, the Shoulder Relief Girth™, is already being used by some of the top level riders that I most admire in my area. I had seen them at the shows and was always intrigued about their design.

Before I knew it, the newest model of the SRG arrived at my door. This girth comes with three types of liners: neoprene, leather and sheepskin. I ordered the leather and the sheepskin liners. 

It is called StretchTec because it has a feature that I haven't seen in any other girth model: the elastic in the middle of the girth.

StretchTec Shoulder Relief Girth
Top: The leather liner. Bottom: The girth with the sheepskin liner

If you haven't held one before, it might seem a little overly flexible at first. The girth is divided into three sections and so it feels different when you carry it. Think of a three-piece snaffle bit with the French link in the middle and you'll have an idea of how the movable middle of the StretchTec feels.

My friend and I played with it by each holding an end to watch the stretch action. The elastic is wide to the back of the girth, but is held snug at the front by the leather of the girth. We could imagine how this elastic would allow for the horse's girth area to expand and contract as we pulled and released it. The action was the same with both the custom designed leather and the sheepskin liners.

StretchTec Shoulder Relief Girth
Top: Fleece liner. Bottom: The underside of the girth without the liner attached.

I tried the girth with the sheepskin liner first on Cyrus.

StretchTec Shoulder Relief Girth
Fleece Liner

You can clearly see how the girth is cut back at the elbow to allow greater freedom of movement. The middle of the girth falls forward and naturally into the horse's girth groove while the cut back section allows the saddle billets to be directed straight down. This prevents the saddle from being pulled forward to the horse's shoulder blades, hence, the "shoulder relief" action of the girth.

Next, my friend tried the leather liner on her horse, Boss.

StretchTec Shoulder Relief Girth
Leather Liner

The leather liner is also wide and made of a pliable, quality leather. In my opinion, it's perfect for a tidier "show" look (but honestly, the fleece liner would be great at a show too). It comes off in seconds and can be cleaned as you would any leather tack.

But the key feature was most evident when I looked underneath the horse's belly at the elastic.

StretchTec Shoulder Relief Girth
The Elastic

The "stretch" part of the StretchTec Shoulder Relief Girth™ has got to be the most innovative feature I have ever seen on a girth. It literally expands and contracts with the horse's movement. While it stays flush to the body and keeps the saddle balanced and snug on the horse, it allows the horse's girth area the flexibility it needs for any and all movement and breathing.

While I thought that the leather liner would be my preferred choice, I realize now that the sheepskin liner is soft, cozy to the skin, and easily washable. You could use the sheepskin for everyday riding (and wash at will) and use the leather liner for special events. 

I have to say that I have never had a better girth on any of my horses. Even my newish "fancy" girth is not nearly as beautiful and functional. I can now say goodbye to loosely fitted girths, and hello to snug-without-restriction. If only there had been such a thing when I was riding my sensitive chestnut mare, Annahi!

There are many more details available for you if you'd like to learn more about this girth. The Total Saddle Fit website has diagrams, videos and more information about the design and rationale behind the StretchTec Shoulder Relief Girth™.

Horse Listening

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