The present invention provides a safety stirrup and strap system for quick and easy stirrup adjustment for use with a saddle or similar type of riding equipment used during equine assisted therapies or in any recreational riding wherein quick and easy stirrup adjustment is desired.

The invention provides a stirrup (1), comprising a curved upper part (2) shaped to fit fully or partially around the sides and over the forefoot or boot of the rider, and a in substance straight tread (3) for supporting the sole of the forefoot or boot of the rider, wherein the stirrup comprises two or more separate structures or one single structure. The stirrup is distinguished by comprising two suspension structures (4, 5) arranged apart along the curved upper part, for arranging leather (8) for suspending the stirrup in a saddle in the respective suspension structures, wherein a medial suspension structure (4)is arranged a medial distance (14) from a vertical axis (12) through a centre point (15) of the tread (3), with the tread as oriented horizontal, of at least one third the length (13) of the tread, and wherein a lateral suspension structure (5) is arranged at or near a top point of the upper part, where the vertical axis (12) through a centre point of the tread crosses the upper part, with the tread as oriented horizontal, in horizontal direction within of the tread length. The invention also provides a combination of the stirrup of the invention and a leather, and use thereof.

The invention provides a stirrup (1), comprising a curved upper part (2) shaped to fit fully or partially around the sides and over the forefoot or boot of the rider, and a in substance straight tread (3) for supporting the sole of the forefoot or boot of the rider, wherein the stirrup comprises two or more separate structures or one single structure. The stirrup is distinguished by comprising two suspension structures (4, 5) arranged apart along the curved upper part, for arranging leather (8) for suspending the stirrup in a saddle in the respective suspension structures, wherein a medial suspension structure (4)is arranged a medial distance (14) from a vertical axis (12) through a centre point (15) of the tread (3), with the tread as oriented horizontal, of at least one third the length (13) of the tread, and wherein a lateral suspension structure (5) is arranged at or near a top point of the upper part, where the vertical axis (12) through a centre point of the tread crosses the upper part, with the tread as oriented horizontal, in horizontal direction within of the tread length. The invention also provides a combination of the stirrup of the invention and a leather, and use thereof.

A modified saddle D-ring having a loop of a varying radius for supporting a stirrup strap on a saddle. The stirrup supporting strap is looped around a lower span portion of the D-ring which has an upper span portion anchored to the saddle. The lower span has an upper surface that abuts against the saddle supporting strap and such upper surface includes first and second contiguous portions disposed at a preselected angle to one another with the length being greater than the width of the stirrup supporting strap. The D-ring includes an elongated curved loop extending forward at a varying radius depicting a parabolic curve. The elongated D-ring allows limited pivotal forward movement of the stirrup with respect to the saddle. One or more T shaped projections may extend upward from one a selected position at the bottom of the D-ring for adjusting and holding the D-ring in position.

A stirrup hoist system for hoisting a person onto a saddle includes a motor and a spool configured to be rotated by the motor. A strap is configured to be selectively rolled on, and selectively rolled off, the spool. A support configured to receive a portion of a person's body and slidingly engages the strap. The support selectively moves toward the spool, and selectively moves away from, the spool.

A riding saddle having a saddle tree, a seat surface arranged thereon, and on each side of the saddle a stirrup holder fixed to the saddle, and which riding saddle is characterized in that a damping device is attached between the saddle and each stirrup holder. During the landing of a horse at the end of a jump, the damping device distributes the load by the mass of the rider applied to the stirrup holders over a period of time.

A riding saddle having a saddle tree, a seat surface arranged thereon, and on each side of the saddle a stirrup holder fixed to the saddle, and which riding saddle is characterized in that a damping device is attached between the saddle and each stirrup holder. During the landing of a horse at the end of a jump, the damping device distributes the load by the mass of the rider applied to the stirrup holders over a period of time.

A saddle includes a tree having a rider-facing side and a horse-facing side, a seat cover adapted for detachable installation on the rider-facing side of the tree and an insert adapted for installation between the tree and the seat cover. Conveniently, the insert may adapt the saddle for riders of distinct size and shape and accommodate for physical differences between male and female riders. Furthermore, a connection panel secured to the horse-facing side of the tree may allow for releasably secured panel padding elements that customize the horse-facing side of the tree to a particular horse. Adjustable stirrup bars provide even further flexibility of customization.

A monitoring and feedback device to assist a horse rider in achieving proper balance and posture by measuring one or more load data parameters, such as load magnitude, load angle, or torque, for both stirrups simultaneously and providing visual or audible feedback on that load data to the rider or a non-riding instructor. Load measuring brackets are attached to the stirrup bar of a saddle and each measures one or more of the load data parameters applied. Processing circuitry generates signals for transmitting, either wired or wireless, feedback signals representing the load data to a visual display or sound headset and thereby provides real time information to a rider or non-riding instructor.

A monitoring and feedback device to assist a horse rider in achieving proper balance and posture by measuring one or more load data parameters, such as load magnitude, load angle, or torque, for both stirrups simultaneously and providing visual or audible feedback on that load data to the rider or a non-riding instructor. Load measuring brackets are attached to the stirrup bar of a saddle and each measures one or more of the load data parameters applied. Processing circuitry generates signals for transmitting, either wired or wireless, feedback signals representing the load data to a visual display or sound headset and thereby provides real time information to a rider or non-riding instructor.