Dressage · Étriers de sécurité magnétiques · Saut d'obstacles · Sellerie ·08 mars, 2023

Who benefits from magnetic safety stirrups?

Many riders might not think about the importance of safety stirrups, or what a difference magnetic safety stirrups can make. However, choosing the right stirrups is as essential as choosing the right helmet, as they are both meant to decrease the risk of injury.

In this article, we will look at who will benefit from using magnetic safety stirrups and why they can make a big difference.

What is the purpose of magnetic safety stirrups?

Using safety stirrups when riding is essential as it can decrease the risk of injury when falling off the horse. Safety stirrups have been designed to release the rider's foot in case of an accident, so they will not get dragged behind their horse.

There are many kinds of safety stirrup models, of which magnetic safety stirrups are one of the most popular and modern ones. More and more riders rely on magnetic safety stirrups for many reasons.

As you can imagine, magnetic stirrups have a magnetic connection that keeps the rider's foot in the correct spot, in addition to safety mechanisms.

Let's take our Ophena S and Ophena S Pro, which are both magnetic safety stirrups designed to help riders in many ways.

Both of our magnetic safety stirrup models include the following:

Open design for decreased risk of injury
Magnetic connection
Excellent grip
Smart Attach™-system for easier attachment and detachment of stirrups

The benefits of magnetic safety stirrups

Using magnetic safety stirrups is essential from a safety standpoint, but the stirrups can aid riders with other things too.

For instance, many of our customers have reported the following:

Improved posture and balance
Improved leg position
Decreased knee, ankle, and joint pain
Increased focus and better confidence

Here's how our magnetic safety stirrups work:

Who should use magnetic safety stirrups?

The short answer to who should use magnetic safety stirrups is probably everybody, but below, we have taken a look at how using safety stirrups can benefit different riders.

Young horse trainers and riders

If you ride or train young horses, you already know that they can be very unpredictable. Especially when you are just breaking them in or getting started with them, anything can happen from spooking to rearing and bucking.

While we always hope that the youngsters are ready to work, it's not a given. Riders and trainers can greatly benefit from magnetic safety stirrups that allow the foot to release easily.

Showjumpers

Many of our customers are showjumpers and hunters and they have experienced the benefits of magnetic safety stirrups first hand, as you can read from our stirrup reviews.

While showjumpers can benefit from easy release as well, the magnetic connection also provides other benefits.

First of all, the magnetic connection keeps the rider's foot in the correct place and decreases the risk of losing a stirrup during a ride. Also, should you lose your stirrup anyway, it's much easier to get it back when the magnetic connection pulls towards the rider's boot.

Also, we should note that our magnetic safety stirrups have been approved for FEI showjumping.

Eventers

Eventers ride in any weather, rain or shine. While our magnetic stirrups haven't been approved for FEI shows yet, eventers can have a much safer riding experience at home when using Ophena S or Ophena S Pro.

Of course, the decreased risk of injury is the top reason why you should choose Ophena, as well as the decreased risk of losing your stirrups. But on top of that, our stirrups have an excellent grip and detailed treading that prevents the foot from slipping in the stirrups: this is excellent especially when you ride in the rain.

What about dressage riders?

While magnetic safety stirrups are not approved for dressage shows as they would be considered an extra aid, dressage riders should still use safety stirrups as well.

Our Ophena A is a non-magnetic safety stirrup suitable for all disciplines, dressage included. It features patent-pending technology that allows for a safer riding experience.

The outer side is closed with a silicone piece that anchors at two points and releases in every direction.

In the video below, you will see how it works: