Waldhausen Stirrup Covers
$15.95
Out of stockStirrups
Browse stirrups that take the rider's boot on the iron, not the strap that hangs from the saddle bar.
They are part of our wider Tack collection.
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What Is a Stirrup?
A stirrup is the iron or composite frame the rider's boot sits in, hung from the saddle by a separate leather or synthetic strap.
Typical parts are:
- A tread or grip plate under the boot.
- A branch or eye that takes the leather.
- On safety models, a release arm or outer that opens under load.
Are Safety Stirrups Different from Fillis Irons?
A safety stirrup is built so the boot can leave the iron in a fall. A classic fillis iron stays closed and relies on the rider getting the foot free.
Composite and aluminium safety models on this page include dressage sloped platforms and jumping or eventing releases. A nylon or toe-cage add-on is still an iron system, not a leather.
Stirrups vs Stirrup Leathers
The iron is the footbed. Stirrup leathers are the straps that set length from the bar to the eye.
Buying a new iron does not fix a stretched leather. Buying a new leather does not change the tread under the boot. Fit both, then check the girth so the saddle is not sliding while you chase stirrup length.
Dressage Slope vs Jumping and Racing
A sloped dressage platform tips the sole so the heel can drop without a steep ankle. Jumping and general-purpose irons are usually flatter. Racing patterns sit in a different length and weight class.
Do not treat a dressage slope as a jumping safety iron with a different colour. Match the platform to the saddle you actually ride, then confirm the saddle itself on horse saddles and any loose hardware on saddle accessories.
When Do You Need New Stirrups?
Replace irons when the tread is polished smooth, a release no longer opens, or the eye is bent. Polish on the tread is a slip risk, not a patina to keep.
A pad from saddle pads does not restore grip in the iron. Leg protection still sits on horse boots, not on the stirrup.
How Should Stirrups Fit?
The boot should sit centred with a finger of room at the toe, and the eye must match the leather width. A too-narrow eye pinches the leather and hangs the iron crooked.
Width and tread pattern are brand-specific. There is no shared stirrup size chart across makers. Confirm the leather hole you ride at after any iron change, because a thicker tread raises the foot.
Care and Inspection
Rinse grit out of treads and check release arms after wet work. Sand packed in a grip plate will polish the next ride's sole instead of holding it.
A bridle from horse bridles does not include irons. Keep stirrups with the saddle, not in the bridle bag, so they are not crushed in transit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are stirrups the same as stirrup leathers?
No. Stirrups are the irons the boot sits in. Stirrup leathers are the straps that hang those irons from the saddle bar. You can replace one without the other. A stretched leather will still leave a new iron at the wrong length. A worn tread will still slip even on a new leather.
What is a safety stirrup?
A safety stirrup is built so the boot can leave the iron in a fall, usually with a flexible outer, a release arm, or an openable branch. A classic fillis iron stays closed. Choose safety models when you want that release. They are still sized by tread and eye, not by a universal chart.
Are dressage stirrups sloped on purpose?
Yes. A sloped dressage platform tips the sole so the heel can drop without forcing a steep ankle. Jumping and general-purpose irons are usually flatter. A racing pattern is a different weight and length job. Match the platform to the saddle and the work, not to the colour of the iron.
How should stirrups fit a riding boot?
The boot should sit centred on the tread with a little room at the toe, not jammed against both branches. The eye must match the leather width so the iron hangs straight. After you change irons, recheck leather holes because a thicker tread raises the foot. There is no shared size across brands.
