Saddle Technologies Incorporated - Breakaway Stirrups
Saddle Technology Incorporated
 Breakaway Stirrups

160 Documented Dragings PreventedHorse Safety Stirrups 178 documented draggings prevented178 draggings prevented Breakaway Stirrups can prevent deadly draggings
Documented Draggings Prevented

Riding on S.T.I.'s Breakaway Stirrup

   This stirrup will look and ride like any other stirrup.  The stirrup fits conveniently in your stirrup leather just like any other stirrup would.  The mechanism hides conveniently in the stirrup leathers, so no one will be able to tell the difference between this stirrup, and one that might drag you.  This stirrup won’t impede proper horsemanship, it may in fact give you the confidence to improve your horsemanship.

   These stirrups have given many of our customers the confidence to ride in proper balance with their horse, and the ability to enjoy riding again.


Stirrup mechanism 
fits in stirrup leather


Stirrup looks just 
like any other stirrup
Another advantage of this stirrup is what we like to call the torsion pressure feature.  It takes 8 lbs. of torsion pressure to move the springs inside of the mechanism and rotate the stirrup.  Most conventional stirrups will swing freely at the end of the stirrup leather.  STI's stirrup will not swing as freely, and offer a rider more stability in a stirrup.  In our research most buckoffs or fall offs are started when a rider "blows a stirrup", that is, their foot slips out of the stirrup.  Once you've "blown" a conventional stirrup the stirrup will generally swing forward and be hard to regain putting the rider out of balance, or swing backward allowing the rider to put their whole foot through the stirrup.  Our stirrups do not swing as easily and should prevent about 70% of stirrup blowouts.  But if you do blow a stirrup riding a colt for instance, STI's stirrup will be at the end of the stirrup leather and easy to get back into in a bind.  Tim Feland, a PRCA calf roper, actually thinks he's quicker on his dismount because of this torsion pressure feature.  The stirrup stays at the end of the stirrup leather, and allows him to get out easy when he has to, saving him a few tenths.


click to enlarge

Reloading the mechanism
As with any tack, its a good idea to become familiar with this mechanism, how it works, and how to reload it. (click the photo for a larger image)
reload 1.JPG (57915 bytes)
To cock it, spread the leavers one at a time until they click.		 reload 2.JPG (64066 bytes)
To load in your stirrup, place the mechanism between the clips inside of your stirrup, line up the square holes with the shaft while rotating and squeezing the levers together.
reload 3.JPG (54022 bytes)
Be sure to squeeze levers all the way closed, so that the inside lever edges are touching.  Pinch the tops of the levers securely as pictured		 wpe1D.jpg (6683 bytes)
Place these stirrups in
your stirrup leather with the 
word "BACK" facing 
the heel of your boots

 

 

Velcro Lever Wrap Instructions

IMPORTANT: Velcro lever wraps must stay on the breakaway stirrups at ALL TIMES to prevent levers from UNCOCKING, which can cause a PREMATURE RELEASE!
 Breakaway Stirrups by STI
velcro 1.JPG (57954 bytes) 1.)  Once the mechanism is installed, place Velcro wrap behind mechanism as shown.  With "loop" (fuzzy) side of the Velcro toward the inside and "hook" (course) side of the Velcro to the outside.  This will help protect the Velcro band from the elements common to horseback riding.
velcro 2.JPG (56013 bytes) 2.) Securely fasten the bottom band of Velcro by wrapping Velcro band all the way around the levers, being sure to make it very tight.
velcro 3.JPG (59361 bytes) 3.)  Lay the overhang band of Velcro wrap securely over the top of the mechanism.
velcro 4.JPG (54951 bytes) 4.)  Pull top band of Velcro wrap securely over the overhanging band, and continue to make a full wrap around the levers, until levers have been secured.

Maintenance
As with any precision safety product, testing and maintenance should be done on this stirrup just to make sure it is working properly. Maintenance of this product is very easy, and we recommend doing it once a year like when you're cleaning your saddle. 

1. Release the mechanism from the stirrup.
2. Apply WD-40 into one side of mechanism  wpeF.jpg (12109 bytes)
3. Squeeze and release levers a few times and let the WD-40 run out of the bottom. to get the insides of the mechanism well lubricated. wpe19.jpg (13075 bytes)

If you run into any problems, or have any questions about how you're stirrup is working, you can email us at your convenience.

 

 

  
  

Breakaway Stirrups by STI Incorporated advertises in American Cowboy, Beef, EQUUS, Horse Illustrated, Trail Blazer, Trail Rider, Western Horseman or other magazines? Please let us know! info@breakawaystirrups.com  We strive to provide you with the best in horse safety with our break away stirrups. Please help us get the word out to others and spread the news about how Breakaway stirrups can take some of the danger of dragging away.