Disclosed is a rigging for a saddle, a saddle containing this rigging and a method of making the rigging wherein the rigging has a slot in the rigging material, the slot being large enough for at least a part of a stirrup leather or stirrup strap loop to pass through the slot, the rigging slot having a width for limiting the movement forward and/or rearward of a stirrup that is supported by the stirrup strap loop, the slot in the rigging located spaced downward on the saddle from a slot in a saddle tree of the saddle that supports the stirrup leather or stirrup strap loop.

Disclosed is a rigging for a saddle, a saddle containing this rigging and a method of making the rigging wherein the rigging has a slot in the rigging material, the slot being large enough for at least a part of a stirrup leather or stirrup strap loop to pass through the slot, the rigging slot having a width for limiting the movement forward and/or rearward of a stirrup that is supported by the stirrup strap loop, the slot in the rigging located spaced downward on the saddle from a slot in a saddle tree of the saddle that supports the stirrup leather or stirrup strap loop.

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 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 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 retractable stirrup extension for use with a saddle and horse. The extendable stirrup assembly includes an conventional fixed stirrup with an upper (top) foot plate for supporting the rider's foot during riding, and a retractable bottom foot plate retractably attached to the upper stirrup with an extension mechanism that provides about 4-8 inches of vertical travel (extension). The bottom foot plate travels easily between an open (extended) and a closed (retracted) position. The bottom foot plate provides a lower “step” for the rider to use when mounting the horse. A latching mechanism can be used when riding the horse.

A retractable stirrup extension for use with a saddle and horse. The extendable stirrup assembly includes an conventional fixed stirrup with an upper (top) foot plate for supporting the rider's foot during riding, and a retractable bottom foot plate retractably attached to the upper stirrup with an extension mechanism that provides about 4-8 inches of vertical travel (extension). The bottom foot plate travels easily between an open (extended) and a closed (retracted) position. The bottom foot plate provides a lower “step” for the rider to use when mounting the horse. A latching mechanism can be used when riding the horse.

A secondary stirrup saddle system includes a saddle anchor coupled to a saddle. A stirrup strap having a first end and a second end wherein said first end has a coupler. The stirrup strap can be removably coupled to the saddle anchor, wherein the stirrup strap has at least one stirrup coupling point. A stirrup have a coupler can be removably coupled to the coupling point on the stirrup strap. A user can then remove the stirrup strap from the saddle anchor after mounting the saddle.

A secondary stirrup saddle system includes a saddle anchor coupled to a saddle. A stirrup strap having a first end and a second end wherein said first end has a coupler. The stirrup strap can be removably coupled to the saddle anchor, wherein the stirrup strap has at least one stirrup coupling point. A stirrup have a coupler can be removably coupled to the coupling point on the stirrup strap. A user can then remove the stirrup strap from the saddle anchor after mounting the saddle.

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 ⅕ of the tread length. The invention also provides a combination of the stirrup of the invention and a leather, and use thereof.