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  Discussion on Pins and needles!!!
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Posted on Thursday, Mar 16, 2000 - 10:58 am:

Can anyone tell me why I get pins and needles in the edges of my feet after only half an hour's riding. I use a Thorowgood (english) saddle with rubber sided safety irons and wedge shaped stirrup treads. This has been occuring on and off since we bought this horse last year, but is getting worse. I have not had this problem in the past. I have tried lenthening/shortening my stirrups. I am not a very brilliant rider, being basically self taught so it may well be something in my position, I am also quite overweight!!!! Any suggestions please.

Posted on Thursday, Mar 16, 2000 - 11:04 am:

Claire -

Sometimes the pins and needles could be caused by poor circulation. If you're wearing tall boots to ride, then perhaps they are too tight around your calf.

After a long weekend of showing, my calves are usually a little swollen and I get the pins and needles feeling on the Monday/Tuesday following the show.

If you are wearing tall boots, maybe you should try paddock boots paired with chaps?

Hope these suggestions help!

Kim

Posted on Thursday, Mar 16, 2000 - 3:19 pm:

Hi Claire - It's probably not the saddle, or the stirrups, or the treads, but what you are wearing on your feet. For years I wore regular, "standard" paddock boots for schooling, and was getting very tired of having the same feeling, like my feet were sort of going to sleep. I invested in a pair of Ariat paddock boots not long after they came out, and WOW, I've never had that feeling again! It's possible that the sole on your shoes/boots has finally worn out to the point that they aren't providing any support.

Posted on Thursday, Mar 16, 2000 - 3:25 pm:

In ancient times when I actually rode I had same problem. How could my feet hurt more than if I had walked a couple of miles. In anticipation of my re-entry into the riding world I purchased the Sprenger flexible safety stirrups mainly on the evaluation of them by one of the journals that do product reviews that the testers of these stirrups noticed a big decrease in foot and ankle pain. My guess is that we brace our foot against the stirrup when we ride, either out of tension (or fear) and if the stirrup flexs it prevents that to a degree. There are also stirrups for endurance riders that are supposed to reduce foot and ankle fatigue. Is there anyone out there who has had experience with either of these two types of stirrups?

Posted on Friday, Mar 17, 2000 - 3:09 am:

Thanks for all the input. My legs are too chubby for long boots but I will look into a better pair of paddock boots. The point about tension and fear is probably also highly relevant!!
Claire:->

Posted on Friday, Mar 17, 2000 - 10:32 am:

Lois - I have the Dominus stirrups (MUCH cheaper version of the HS, and no difference that I can tell, having ridden in both). They have made a difference in the stiffness in my knee and my back, but, since I have my very comfy Ariat paddocks, I can't attest to them making any difference in the comfort of my foot.

Posted on Friday, Mar 17, 2000 - 11:39 am:

Check to make sure your stirrups are wide enough. A friend of mine was having foot pain and realized she just needed wider stirrups that didn.t pinch her feet. Also, you might want to try those flexible stirrups before investing in a pair. I used to ride in my friend's saddle who had some and I found myself standing on my toes and bracing against the movement. I usually don't have trouble keeping my heels down in regular stirrups.
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