Children’s Safety Stirrups

All safety stirrups are designed to reduce the risk of a rider’s foot getting stuck in the stirrup in the event of a fall, which could lead to them being dragged or trodden on by a frightened pony.

It is vital that the stirrup has an outer branch all the time except during a fall, as this reduces the risk of the rider losing a stirrup and becoming less stable on the pony, or falling off.

Designs of Safety Stirrups vary, but Flex-on’s Safe-On Junior Stirrup is at the forefront of the most up-to-date “Breakaway” style, where the outer arm of the stirrup opens to release the foot when the rider’s weight acts against it.

Please note that the Safe-on Junior must have at least 15kg of weight, (or the equivalent in kinetic energy) acting on the outer arm in order to open it. The Safe-on Junior is unlikely to open if the pony stands still when the rider falls; and will not open if the fall does not cause the rider’s weight to act on the outer arm of the stirrup.

As with any safety equipment, Safety Stirrups can only reduce the risk of the foot getting trapped in a fall, there is no design which can prevent it.