Dressyr · Magnetiska säkerhetsstigbyglar ·apr. 11, 2023

Can magnetic safety stirrups benefit dressage riders?

One of the most important pieces of tack for any rider are their safety stirrups. They can lower the risk of getting caught in the stirrups in case of a fall, but the right kind of stirrups can also make your riding experience more enjoyable.

In recent years, magnetic safety stirrups have received a ton of attention from riders of all disciplines. However, dressage riders may wonder if these are the right kind of stirrups for them: in this article, we will look at how magnetic safety stirrups can benefit dressage riders.

How do magnetic safety stirrups work?

First, let's look at how magnetic safety stirrups work. As you can guess from the name, magnetic safety stirrups have a magnetic connection between the rider's boot and the stirrups. The connection pulls the riders foot into a correct position and keeps it there throughout the ride.

Magnetic safety stirrups also have a safety feature that is different between each stirrup brand. On Ophena safety stirrups, you will see an open design that allows for a decreased risk of injury in case of an accident.

In the video below, you will see how Ophena S and Ophena S Pro magnetic safety stirrups work.

Magnetic safety stirrups and dressage

Dressage riders have to take a ton of things into account when they ride, whether it's at home or at a show. They have to focus on the horse's movements as well as their own posture and presentation (among a million other things), which can be challenging.

One notable difference about dressage riders compared to showjumpers or hunters is that dressage riders ride with much longer stirrups than jumpers. This can make certain things more challenging: for instance, your heel might come up and it may be harder to keep the stirrups on, especially in passage or extended trot.

This is where magnetic safety stirrups can come in handy. Read a customer story from Elisa, an experienced dressage rider and see what she has to say about our magnetic safety stirrups and how they have helped her.

Using magnetic safety stirrups at home can benefit you in many ways.

Losing your stirrups

As the magnetic connection keeps your stirrups in one place and your foot attached to the stirrups, there is a lower chance of you losing your stirrups while riding.

Should you lose your stirrups anyway, it'll be much easier to get them back as the magnetic connection starts pulling towards its counterpart.

Correct foot and leg position

Also, as the magnetic connection places your foot in the correct position, it can help you to keep your lower leg in the right spot as well. When your foot and lower leg are in the correct position, it'll also be easier for you to correct your posture in the saddle.

Magnetic safety stirrups and spurs

When a your leg tenses up, it's easy to pull up your heel. This is especially iffy for your horse if you have spurs, as they can accidentally dig into your horse's skin. The magnetic safety stirrups help you to keep your lower leg in the correct spot and stirrups on your foot, so it'll be easier to keep your spurs off the horse when you don't need to use them.

Are magnetic safety stirrups allowed at horse shows?

As of now, magnetic safety stirrups are not allowed at FEI horse shows. If you attend local horse shows, you should check the requirements and rules of your national equestrian federation.

However, magnetic safety stirrups can still help you to improve your leg position, posture, and balance when riding at home. They can be an excellent aid that help you to acquire skills you can use when you switch to regular safety stirrups at a horse show.

If you'd like to get safety stirrups that are allowed at horse shows, you should take a look at Ophena A, our non-magnetic safety stirrup that features excellent safety features. First, the outer side is closed off with a silicone piece, The Twister, that anchors in two connection points and releases in all directions.

Second, Ophena A features wonderful treading and integrated dampening that helps your foot to stay in the stirrups.

Where can I get magnetic safety stirrups?

You can get your own Ophena magnetic safety stirrups at Ophena.com. We have two magnetic safety stirrup models, Ophena S and Ophena S Pro.

They both feature the following:

Magnetic connection
Open design
Excellent treading
Smart Attach™-system

We also offer a non-magnetic safety stirrup, Ophena A, that is perfect for all disciplines even at horse shows. Ophena A features patent-pending technology: The Twister. It's a silicone piece that closes off the outer side and anchors at two anchor points and releases in all directions when pressure is applied.

You can order your stirrups in a few easy steps.