WEIGHT LOSS AND STIRRUP LENGTH~DOES IT CHANGE?

[everyequine]

I am just curious, anyone lost a lot of weight, and had to change the length of your stirrups?
Which way would it go? Longer? shorter? discuss.

[pintopiaffe]

:yes:

70lbs. Shorter stirrups, (one hole) but my overall position has changed fairly dramatically. And I lost all my balance. ALL of it. A year since the last dramatic drop (20lbs) and I'm finally feeling almost like a rider again.

Seems counter-intuitive that they would be shorter. But the angles have changed. I'm sitting ON the horse now, not hovering (which was another process altogether, somewhat independent of the weight loss) which means I can bring the stirrups up to be more effective, without that meaning I am pushed up out of the saddle, and without that closing the hip angle.

I've 30 more to go... and it's not really buding. The new weight/fitness room is done at my PD, so I start getting serious on Monday. I HATE working out,(beyond managing a 7 horse breeding farm alone) but it's the only way the last 30 are going to go.

I suspect position and stirrup length will change yet again.

[Coreene]

EE, thank you SO MUCH for this thread, because I couldn't figure out why I had to take my stirrups up a hole. Yes, absolutely, 60 lbs for me (congrats on yours too PP!!!) and I had to go up a hole.

Dang. Never would have guessed that was why. :lol:

As for losing the balance / center of gravity, absolutely agree 100%. I am having a hell of a time sitting the trot. As in, flopflopflopflopflop. But that's fine, it's all good, just have to get used to the new center of gravity over and over (because I am not done with the diet yet).

[everyequine]

Thanks! Coreene and Pinto! I knew I could count on you both!
I had a theory and I was thinking that was the case.

I was thinking the mass of jiggle, is thicker therefore we are farther away from the saddle hence, we have longer stirrups. I also thought since our legs are not so slender, the angle behind our knee would look more closed becasue of the jiggleage.
BUT I was confused because our derrieres would be smaller that would make us closer to the horse, so should be longer.....I guess the absence of the leg jiggle makes us closer to the saddle, so it cancels out the butt loss?

[Coreene]

I was thinking the mass of jiggle, is thicker therefore we are farther away from the saddle hence, we have longer stirrups. I also thought since our legs are not so slender, the angle behind our knee would look more closed becasue of the jiggleage.
BUT I was confused because our derrieres would be smaller that would make us closer to the horse, so should be longer.....I guess the absence of the leg jiggle makes us closer to the saddle, so it cancels out the butt loss?You lost me at "mass," because you know I am completely void of any rational thought.

All I know is this: no white breeches for me just yet! :lol: But that too will come, and I am looking forward to the day.

[pintopiaffe]

it's definitely counterintuitive for me, but when I finally came up a hole, *bingo* became MUCH more effective. My last lesson I was complimented on position--only correction was hands (age old issue I'd solved and is now back, but I'm riding greenies too again!) Legs and seat were almost ideal... EXCEPT the comment was, "now make it an *effective* posture.

:sigh:

It took quite a long time to simply FIND correct again. Now I have to use it too? :uhoh: :lol:

[Blinkers On]

for me it's longer. seems when I loose weight my thighs have less beef and I need to drop my pedals. Tried tested and true. For me

[KayBee]

Coppice?

Coppice? Coppicing, according to Wikipedia, is "a traditional method of woodland management in which young tree stems are repeatedly cut down to near ground level. In subsequent growth years, many new shoots will emerge, and, after a number of years the coppiced tree, or stool, is ready to be harvested, and the cycle begins again."

Did you mean "capisce" (Italian for "do you understand")?

At any rate, I learned a new word... :lol:

[LarkspurCO]

I'm battling hip pain, due to an ill-fitting saddle. I don't know about the weight loss thing as it pertains to stirrup length per se. But in trying out a number of different saddles lately, I've found how drastically the seat/twist/flap and stirrup length affect how I ride. A hole one way or the other is like night and day.

Today I chatted with a woman rider who has had five joint replacements -- both shoulders, both hips and a knee. I asked her how she does it, and she said "when that's what you love to do, you just find a way." I told her I would now stop whining about my hip!

I just can't imagine the difficulty in riding with 100 extra pounds. My hat is off to those who adapt and overcome.

[everyequine]

Coppice? Coppicing, according to Wikipedia, is "a traditional method of woodland management in which young tree stems are repeatedly cut down to near ground level. In subsequent growth years, many new shoots will emerge, and, after a number of years the coppiced tree, or stool, is ready to be harvested, and the cycle begins again."

Did you mean "capisce" (Italian for "do you understand")?

At any rate, I learned a new word... :lol:

Yeah, :) I should have looked up the spelling... but I could say yes, I did mean that, since my legs are like big tree trunks! :lol:

[wateryglen]

Longer, 2 holes on the flat and 1 hole cross country. And I found I sit in my saddles differently or that the different butt size places me in a different "spot" so that affects stirrup length too. I definitely feel I have more length of leg to use. Better contact overall. More secure. And the center of gravity changed radically too btw!

And my horse really loves me now!! He's only carrying 1 rider instead of 2!! :winkgrin::lol::lol:

[Coreene]

I'm battling hip pain, due to an ill-fitting saddle. I don't know about the weight loss thing as it pertains to stirrup length per se. But in trying out a number of different saddles lately, I've found how drastically the seat/twist/flap and stirrup length affect how I ride. A hole one way or the other is like night and day.I know they are a huge indulgence, but I bought a pair of those Bow Balance stirrup irons after shredding my ankle last summer, and they also help make a huge difference. A friend with hip problems said they are a blessing to her as well.

[CatOnLap]

not only different saddles, but using the same saddle on 2 different horses, I have to take up my leathers one hole on the smaller horse. Losing 30 lbs, I had to drop them 2 holes, but I am thinking part of that was just riding more and stretching longer.

[everyequine]

OK, so we have some shorter and some longer. Are you in a dressage saddle or a cc/ap type?

[anabug]

When I was skinny my stirrups were one hole longer. Now I have gained 40 pounds and they are all the way to the top on Butet leathers. Losing weight though so hopefully I'm not going to have to punch holes... they are rubber lined.

[Schune]

I used to weigh 182lbs at my heaviest, and just this past year I've slimmed down to 145lbs :)

I haven't found any difference in my stirrup lengths, but that's just me. I always ride one hole shorter for fences than I do for flat.