Millbrook Stirrup Leathers Review
I have been meaning to write this review for a while now. Have you ever heard of Millbrook stirrup leathers? Or have you seen people using the wider stirrup leathers and wondered about them? I had seen them a few times, but didn’t really think twice about them. That is, until I tried them out.
I first learned about these stirrup leathers at my weekly riding lesson. At my first lesson, the saddle that I used had these wider stirrup leathers. I didn’t really think much about it, until I got on the horse. And after my second lesson, I really wanted to have my own pair of these stirrup leathers.
I apologize for the photos. My saddle is black (and dirty), and my stirrup leathers are brown, but if anything it will really show you how cool these stirrup leathers are! Because you can really see them from my saddle.
Not Your Normal Stirrup Leather
I have seen these on occasion, mainly at some larger Hunter/Jumper shows and thought they looked really cool, but I didn’t really know that much about them. SO when I saw they were on the lesson saddles at the barn I take my lessons I at I was excited. To be able to try out something to see what it was like was so awesome!
They may just look like wide stirrup leather, but they are so much more. I think because the leathers are wider, they really help to keep your lower leg more stable. And they also don’t twist under your leg, so they don’t rub which is great. And as an older rider, I have found that sometimes after I have been in the saddle for a while, my knees and ankles can get really achy. But since I have put on my Millbrook leathers, that doesn’t happen. For me this is a big deal, because if I’m not hurting, I can ride longer and more often.
Overall these stirrup leathers are really comfortable to ride in. And the break in time was really fast. They even have a YouTube video showing you how to get the leathers ready for your first ride.
Unfortunately I don’t have bars like this in my stalls (sadly) but I do have corral panels and they worked just fine. Then I just applied some olive oil to the leathers, hung them their full length to dry and they were ready.
Millbrook leathers has a goal “to revolutionize the saddle, one stirrup leather at a time.” And from the first time I used these, they converted me!
The stirrup leathers come in black and brown, and different sizes. I chose the brown ones, before I got my black saddle, in the 53″ (135CM) size and they work perfect for me. It says they will stretch a little because they are 100% leather, no lining but I haven’t had any issues with them stretching in the past 3 months I have been riding in them.
And they fit all regular stirrups. You do not need anything special to use these, they will fit your stirrups so I promise, you don’t need to go buy a new pair of stirrup irons, well that is unless you want too.
The First Ride
Now I had already been using these stirrup leathers at the barn where I have been taking my riding lessons, so I already knew how great they were. But putting them on my own saddle, and riding my own horse was amazing. I am not the most talented or gifted rider so I am sure my horse appreciated me getting these. My leg is so much more stable, and I don’t feel like I am wobbling all over the place. I am going to have to do a comparison video with regular stirrup leathers and my Millbrook’s. There is a huge difference. And if you are wanting to build your confidence level in the saddle you really should consider these stirrup leathers.
I am not sure how adding some width to a stirrup leather can make it so much more comfortable under your leg, but it does. And there is no rubbing. You know how the leather will rub on your shin area and cause a sore spot? That doesn’t happen with these leathers.
Now this isn’t going to make your leg automatically perfect, but you will definitely feel an immediate improvement from the first ride. I think once I save up a little money I will be buying these in black, so they match my every day saddle. But for now, the brown ones are just fine, and you can’t see them when I am riding, so the color only really matters to me. And that is in no way Millbrook’s fault. That is my own fault for buying brown instead of black.
I really do like the wideness to them. And they have a nice shiny emblem on the end of the leather, I really like the way it looks.
These are high quality leathers made from French leather. And that being said, these are a little more expensive. However, they are less expensive than if you were to buy even regular Pessoa leathers at Dover Saddlery. The only thing I have found that is even slightly similar to my Millbrook leathers is some that is made by Freejump, and they cost $235.00. The Millbrook leathers will cost you $159.00 and the shipping is $15.00 so your total investment is $174.00. Not too bad, especially once you see how great they are for improving your riding.
The Best Stirrup Leathers I Have Ever Used
So far I have only been able to find them on Millbrook Leather’s website. They aren’t at Dover’s or Smartpak, yet. But once these catch on, I am sure you will be able to find them everywhere. But for now, visit Millbrook Leathers website, and see what they have. And just so you know, I am not an affiliate of Millbrook’s, nor have they sponsored this post. I just have noticed such a positive change in my riding, and my leg position with these stirrups that I had to share them with you. So go visit their website, and if you decide to buy a pair, make sure they know that you heard about them from the Budget Equestrian!
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