Full Tack Ho: Lorenzini Stirrup Review

so shiny

I think it's time. I've had my Lorenzini iridescent stirrup irons for several months now. I paid way more for them then I ever thought I would for trendy foot platforms and I had never set eyes on a pair in real life. So. How do they measure up? Let's see!

Lorenzini Titanium Stirrups - Limited Edition Irridescent in Blue Sky

Retail price: $278+shipping
What I paid: $208+$12 duty bill

Before we talk about why I need $220 stirrups, let's acknowledge that regular non-flex fillis irons completely cripple me for days at a time, particularly in jump tack. Even in a flex iron, my knees give out after a fairly short span of time when I ride with short stirrups and my leg is mildly destabilized by their mobility. I have the world's most inflexible ankles, so I can't even imagine what flex does to bendy people. I don't have a history of knee problems, and I'm not interested in creating one.

love this shot

That said. I bought these without ever trying them back in the spring because they were beautiful and I wanted them, and those are very compelling reasons in my world. The lorenzinis have no flex, but the tread is set on at an angle to accommodate the heels down position we strive for in jump tack.

Because my stirrup needs are so specific, I don't know what drew me to these particular irons. I really love their unique design that sets them apart without being distracting. The color is equally awesome--it's shiny and fabulous and different in different lights, but it doesn't scream "NOTICE ME" the same that that say, red, would.

From the first time I touched these, I was absolutely in love with the engineering behind them. The angled footbed actually works better for me than a jointed stirrup. The wide tread keeps the joints happy. The color is perfect. The grip is wonderful. Every detail has been thought of and adapted for maximum aesthetic and athletic payoff.

I bought them because they're beautiful, but now that I have them, I want another pair for their function. They are really that good.

Whether it's popping over tiny jumps or hacking or flatting or a hard training day, I find that my leg is more stable and my joints are more comfortable. To me, that makes these irons worth every cent.

In conclusion, I adore these stirrups. I would only sometimes advise dropping this much money on novelty items, but if you are struggling with swinging legs in flex stirrups or aching joints, you really ought to give them a look.

Or not. I love being unique.

Riding Warehouse: The Rumors are True

LOOK AT MY HORSE MY HORSE IS SO CUTE

Truth be told, I almost never buy things new from retailers these days (we'll exclude PS of Sweden from this discussion). I mean, I price check on websites, yeah, but beyond that? Not really my thing. I'm all about bargain hunting, back-door deals, and buying used.

So when bloggers started reviewing Riding Warehouse like it was the latest, greatest thing, I was like "meh" and didn't really look in to it.

But you all know I've been on a hunt for novelty stirrups. What you don't know is that despite my Ho status, I am a confirmed tightwad and the idea of paying more than $125 shipped for lil platforms to put my feet on was giving me absolute stitches.

And then for some random reason, I ran over to Riding Warehouse's website on a whim. (Never do this, apparently.)

They had composite flex Royal Riders (NOT the knock offs) on clearance for $125. And free shipping over $50. And I had a 15% coupon code THAT THEY LET ME STACK ON TOP OF THE CLEARANCE PRICE.

my pretties

Um can I get a HELLZ YEAH?

Thank you. That was late Monday afternoon. I snagged the last set of clearance stirrups, a pair of white bell boots I'd been wanting (for like 50% off), and hit order. The whole shebang shipped (FREE!) to me and arrived on my porch by Thursday afternoon.

To reiterate: I just got $180 stirrups and $30 bell boots with two day shipping via UPS for $122. BRAND SPANKING NEW.

I will definitely be a repeat customer.

PS: I was going to use my sweet Canadian bell boots in our clinic last weekend, but when it's 28f while I'm tacking up, I am NOT taking pull ons off.

Teach You Tuesday: Stirrups

Equitaly has got it going on

When I posted about my beloved flex stirrups last week, it came to my attention that possibly not everyone is quite as obsessive about tack as I am. I have to be reminded of that sometimes. In light of that, I wanted to do a quick rundown of the types of stirrups irons available on the modern market and their various uses.

boring is as boring does

1) Fillis Iron

This is the most basic and common model of stirrup iron on the market. It's widely available and can generally be had for around $25-35 brand new. Fillis irons are widely accepted as "traditional" (for whatever that's worth to you) and are legal to show in all English disciplines. These things have been around for decades (centuries?) and they certainly get the job done.

They work really well for some people and cause excruciating pain for others. The difference seems to be that people with previous lower limb injuries like a fixed foot? Dunno. I'm injury free and these things murder me.

I call them "leg murder irons"

2) Fillis flex iron

The next evolution is the fillis flex iron. I think Sprenger was the first to come out with a model ($224). MDC has another one ($184) and thank god for knockoffs-- Dover carries a basic model ($49.99). It's the same exact set up as a fillis iron, but with joints inside the rubber on the side. These are also show legal.

These have the same narrow footbed as the fillis irons. My .02 on these is that I really don't love them. They tend to be too flexible. I initially got a pair of knock offs because they were trendy and they sort of helped alleviate some knee pain, but they were just too loose in the flex section and made my leg less stable. Also, if you don't have knee problems and do have knee pain, maybe you should quit bracing your lower leg. ;-)

basic Royal Riders, wide footbed

3) Composite "iron"

The next big leap forward was switching from stainless irons to a composite material--essentially high quality plastic. Composite irons can be as simple as a fillis iron made of different material ($30) or it can be much more cool. Royal Rider (I think) was the first to come out with the wide footbed ($145). Prestige also makes one ($184). If you're cheap like me, the knock offs are made by Equiwing ($65).

The wide tread composites feature the "cheese grater" stirrup pads that theoretically improve grip. Maybe it works. Maybe it doesn't. I don't know. I do know that the wide tread is frequently a game changer for people with joint problems in the legs. I also know that the black composites are NOT LEGAL in the eq ring and I suspect they're frowned upon in hunters? There are silver/grey models coming out now that are legal. Hunter peeps, help me out here.

flexi royal riders oooooh

4) Composite flex

THIS my friends, is where it's at. For me. Royal Rider again has the corner on the market ($179). I'm half tempted to get a cheap/broken pair of these just to dissect them and see what's inside. Regardless, they look like normal composites with a short rubber section on either side of the branch. Inside this segment is mechanism that allows the stirrups to flex slightly. It's not the multi-hinged type flex you get in the flex fillis irons.

To be perfectly honest, I actually prefer the Equiwing knock offs ($126) of the RR flex model. The RR is ever so slightly flexier and I want a little give, not my ankle to break in half. Both of these models combine the wide tread, cheese grater pads, and a small amount of flex. They are brilliant. You'd think this is the top of the market, but there's always something more.

just swivel the thing at the top

5) Offset Iron

Offset irons attempt to compensate for the normal amount of torque put on the human leg by the stirrup leather wrapping around it. The MDC collection offers a top that swivels to present angles that you can individualize. Other irons incorporate some sort of twist to design of the stirrup to alleviate pressure for the rider.

Offset irons frequently also incorporate flex, like the MDC Ultimate ($210). There is also famously the Sprenger Bow Balance ($224). There are some interesting non-flex models out as well. Newest on the scene seems to be the composite non-flex Royal Rider Evo 80s ($110ish).

Lorenzini

6) Aluminum/novelty stirrup

This is probably two distinct categories that I'm lumping into one because I can. It includes things like Jin Aluminums ($275), my beloved (someday...) Lorenzini titaniums ($265), and of course the to-die-for Equitaly line ($260+). There's also the Free Jump line that you're starting to see at jumper shows. Try not to gasp too hard at the $400+ price tag that doesn't include the specialized leathers you're also supposed to buy.

These stirrups are substantially more expensive and some of what you're paying for is style points. HOWEVER. This is where the innovations are at right now. These are the people questioning the function of the basic design we've had for ages to see if we can improve it. I'm certain that if/when they do, the cheaper knock offs will filter down.

trippy. expensive. plastic.

That's a basic round up. There are certainly more out there. It is interesting to note that different thigns work for different people. I can't ride in a jump saddle without flex irons--Jess can't ride with them. Some people with leg pain swear by new technology and some can't handle it. I'm not a doctor and I haven't the foggiest idea what will work best for you. If you're experiencing leg and/or back pain, it's definitely worth the time to try a few of these out and see if they might be the ticket for you.

Who else has had sets of these and can share a little knowledge?

Old Cripple Woman Here

shown: flex composites

Soooooo about a week ago, I popped on the jump tack. I had switched my regular irons (equiwing composite flex model) to my dressage saddle and just borrowed some non-flex composites for the jump saddle until I settle the whole novelty stirrups dispute. ;-)

All I was planning to do was a little two point for myself and trot through some raised cavaletti for Courage.

Off we went.

For like 45 seconds.

Just us looking attractive

My ankles started burning. My thighs seized up. I made it maybe two minutes AT THE POSTING TROT before I had to walk and drop my stirrups to let my legs recover.

The whole ride was probably 25 minutes. More than 50% of it was walking without stirrups.

When I got off, I was crippled. My legs burned all night and my ankles were about to peace out.

I mean, I knew I hadn't ridden in jump tack in a few weeks, but this seemed a little extreme. I spent YEARS without sitting in a dressage saddle. Why this? More importantly, how in the world was I going to jump if I couldn't even trot a lap around the arena without wanting to die?

Let's look at this pic for a while

I wanted to flat in jump tack Saturday just to see if I'd have the same problem. It was cold and I also wanted to hide in the tackroom for a while, so I switched my flex irons back over to my jump saddle.

And um.

Guys.

It was totally 100% fine. Walk/trot/canter, whatever. No pain. No burn. No failing joints. No old lady cripple problems after the ride.

I jumped both days in my flex irons and I'm not even remotely sore despite not having jumped since October.

On the one hand, that makes me really happy. On the other hand, I now apparently require flex irons just to stay alive. I'll find out this week whether I can dressage in normal irons without dying. Don't hold your breath, I guess.

Teach Me Tuesday: NOVELTY SHOPPING

pictured: not novelties if you're a ho

Ok, well, I feel like we've all been good and serious for a while, but I'm feeling a tack ho post coming on. So instead of good advice and usefulness, let's look at something way more entertaining today.

If you had a couple hundred bucks to blow on horse stuff with no repercussions, what over the top novelty item would you buy?

I don't mean a nice list of things that are responsible and you intend to buy as your budget allows. No. Get crazy. Go nuts. What's that one thing you always admire in the catalog but could never convince yourself to actually spend money on?

I'll start. Mine is novelty stirrups. I can think of literally nothing that justifies spending $200+ to do a job that a boring ol' $20 fillis iron can do just as well, but OMG I WANT LORENZINI STIRRUPS.

I dunno why.

Your turn.