Cloud Stirrups

[kelley brough]

Anybody used these and think they make a difference.  I currently use the EZ Rider and I don't see exactly how the cloud stirrup is going to be an improvement.  My knees hurt after 30 miles and I'm trying to do longer distances with minimal pain... haha... feedback on Cloud Stirrup appreciated.  Kelley (Driftwood TX)

[enduranc...@gmail.com]

I haven't used them or EZ but when I was looking into them, the major difference SEEMED to be a softer pad on the clouds(just from what I heard) so an option (cheaper too) MIGHT be just to replace the pads on the EZs. A good question for someone who is familiar with both. I'm always trying to find the cheaper way out :)

Biggest help to my knees is riding a narrow horse!

KC in MT

Sent from my iPod

On Sep 26, 2013, at 3:41 PM, kelley brough <reckles...@gmail.com> wrote:

Anybody used these and think they make a difference.  I currently use the EZ Rider and I don't see exactly how the cloud stirrup is going to be an improvement.  My knees hurt after 30 miles and I'm trying to do longer distances with minimal pain... haha... feedback on Cloud Stirrup appreciated.  Kelley (Driftwood TX)

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[kelley brough]

thats so true about the narrow horse my arab is narrow and my quarter horse is a tank and i get so much sorer over a day on her. 

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Kelley Brough

3810 Medical Parkway Ste. 134

Austin, TX 78756

512-569-0277

[western]

I have had "Clouds" on all of my saddles for ten years, (since I started riding distance again), and I appreciate them for the quality of foam, (which doesn't break down much over time), the size of the footbed, (which offers an extra inch in depth and breadth to accommodate almost any footwear), and for their weight,  (which, although adding to the overall weight of my tack, ensures that the stirrup is right where I expect it to be when hopping on and off of the saddle).

They are a bit more costly than the alternatives, but they do hold up well, and offer a wider and deeper bed. 

;0(

A bit of a lengthy first sentence....

:0)

W

Sent from my iPhone

On Sep 26, 2013, at 2:41 PM, kelley brough <reckles...@gmail.com> wrote:

Anybody used these and think they make a difference.  I currently use the EZ Rider and I don't see exactly how the cloud stirrup is going to be an improvement.  My knees hurt after 30 miles and I'm trying to do longer distances with minimal pain... haha... feedback on Cloud Stirrup appreciated.  Kelley (Driftwood TX)

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[Elyse]

I have leather wrapped cloud stirrups on one saddle and nylon ez ride on the other. The cloud stirrups I have been riding in for 12 years and have held up great. The EZ ride I got on a saddle 2 years ago so I can't speak to their durability. One thing I don't like about the cloud stirrups is that they are pretty heavy which makes a big difference during tacking when you're as little as I am. They also hurt like the dickens when you crack your shin with one while carrying the saddle (also the horse's elbow if not careful during tacking). If I was going to buy a new set for a saddle today, I'd choose the nylon ez rides. 

-Elyse

[Susan Garlinghouse, DVM]

Kelly, one thing that I found with my knees getting painful is that I had/have a bad habit of letting my toes drift outward as I ride, as opposed to keeping them more or less parallel to the long axis of the horse.  My physical therapist pointed out that the downward forces on the knee change as you toe out and at least in my case, contributed substantially to my knee pain.  I did a bunch of other things to strengthen the muscles as well, but just reminding myself to keep my toes straight has helped a lot.

 

Good luck.

 

Susan G

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[Kelly Ahearn-Wagner]

Clouds proved to be dangerous for me. Once when my horse shied, spun, and bolted, I came off, but the toe of my boot wedged tightly into the tear-drop shape of the Cloud stirrup and I was dragged until my stirrup leather came off the stirrup bar. As I was lying on the ground, my boot was still stuck firmly in the Cloud stirrup. Maybe this only happens to size 8 feet?

[kelley brough]

That sounds right. My feet naturally turn out

Sent from my iPhone

[Carla Richardson]

I've been riding with Cloud stirrups for about a year now, I think they are well worth the cost.  My feet used to really give me a lot of trouble but the Cloud stirrups have been a huge improvement.  Better cushioning that has a better non slip tread and more positions for my feet.  The pad has held up really like new and I have put a lot of miles on them.

Carla Richardson

On Sep 26, 2013 3:41 PM, "kelley brough" <reckles...@gmail.com> wrote:

Anybody used these and think they make a difference.  I currently use the EZ Rider and I don't see exactly how the cloud stirrup is going to be an improvement.  My knees hurt after 30 miles and I'm trying to do longer distances with minimal pain... haha... feedback on Cloud Stirrup appreciated.  Kelley (Driftwood TX)

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[Don and Pam Bowen]

We've had the same experience.  We replaced our EZ rides that came with saddles very early with the Clouds as the pads on the EZ rides didn't hold up under Don's weight and they are a PITA to replace.  Our Clouds are still holding up, which has been many years now, with lots of miles, Don 4k+ endurance and then all the training/cattle working miles, and the Cloud folks will replace the pads for free if ever needed.  They are a stirrup that has a larger area for your foot, and the weight of the stirrup helps it stay where it's supposed to.  The only downside is what another poster mentioned, they are heavier and can schmack the crap out of your shins when carrying saddle and tacking.  In addition, while tailing or leading your horse downhill, you'd do your horse a favor to tie the stirrups up so they don't bang the sides or pits of the horse.  Don has a string that hangs from a stirrup so he can easily tie the stirrups up.  Clouds are made in Canada, EZ Rides in China, simple FYI.

 

Pam Bowen 

 

From: ridecampre...@googlegroups.com [mailto:ridecampre...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Carla Richardson
Sent: Thursday, September 26, 2013 7:22 PM
To: ridecamp, (E-mail)
Subject: Re: [RC] Cloud Stirrups

 

I've been riding with Cloud stirrups for about a year now, I think they are well worth the cost.  My feet used to really give me a lot of trouble but the Cloud stirrups have been a huge improvement.  Better cushioning that has a better non slip tread and more positions for my feet.  The pad has held up really like new and I have put a lot of miles on them.

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[Carla Richardson]

Oddly enough, I've never had a problem with the Cloud stirrups hitting me when carrying my saddle.  I used to have the nylon EZ stirrups and they would hit my legs but maybe because the heavier Clouds don't swing, I don't know why but haven't been hit by them.  I don't find that they swing on the horse either.

Like I said before, they are worth the extra cost, I think.  Really nicely made.

Carla Richardson

[Jackbrat]

Hi Kelley,

What style saddle are you riding in? Western or english style endurance saddle? I have found that I had to go back to the English endurance saddle with an english stirrups and leathers as well. It is working big time for my knees. I found that I was "bracing" my knees in a western fender and stirrup saddle. (especially on the down-hills) Get a saddle with knee rolls that fit you in the proper position ( meaning they cradle your knees on the down hills- that way your are unable to stick your legs out straight and brace yourself) and get different stirrups as well. Check out www.theaustralianconnection.com. There are a pair of black "aluminum stirrups". They are $60- a pair but are the best thing I have found so far. They didn't have a brand name just says, "aluminum stirrups". (they are really lite weight) I found that the bulkier EZ ride stirrups were putting my legs just that much farther from my horses sides that it was enough to "torque" my knees and ankles. These stirrups I found have the wide foot base but the side bars are not wide which the others were making my pinkie toes numb after a while.
The best english saddle I have tried so far is the Crosby Marathon saddle. They are not made anymore but if you can find one. OMG! So comfy in the knee roll and the seat. They also have a narrow "twist" in the seat which is another issue I figured out. ( I need a narrow twist in my saddle seat.) Good Luck! It was hard to go back to English saddles for me but it was that or not ride anymore for me.

On Thursday, September 26, 2013 2:41:19 PM UTC-7, kelley brough wrote:

[Kelly Ahearn-Wagner]

Kelley - Do you have knee pain under the patella or on the lateral or medial sides of your knees? The location of the pain in one or both knees reveals much about the dynamics of the movement causing the pain. My knees were hurting much of my first 3000 miles, but now heading toward 6000 with 3 different horses I have finally figured out how to use my knees correctly and can even ride 100s pain free. Too many details to type so email me and I will send you my phone #. Kelly Ahearn-Wagner, Oregon

On Thursday, September 26, 2013 2:41:19 PM UTC-7, kelley brough wrote: