“The equestrian world has seen significant new stirrup tech.”
Research is underway into safety stirrups and their popularity with equestrians.
The British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) is asking riders if and why they use them and whether a safety stirrup standard would be helpful.
There is now a plethora of products on the market which ‘quick-release’ should a rider’s foot become trapped in the stirrup during a fall.
Many also offer advancements in foot and joint comfort plus stability in the saddle. And as stirrup irons gain fashion status, several brands have retail price tags of more than £300.
“Five years ago, we did research into ‘safety stirrups’ to understand what riders thought about them,” says Claire Williams from BETA.
“Fast-forward to 2026, and the equestrian world has seen significant new stirrup technology.
“Now we’re gathering real-world data to find out if attitudes have shifted, what consumers look for in a stirrup, and whether they would be more likely to buy if clear safety standards were in place.”
Riders of all levels can take part in BETA’s safety stirrup survey. Completed responses will be entered in a prize draw to win a £50 shopping voucher.
BETA developed and administers the BETA Body Protector Standard and is a member of the European Standards Committee that oversees riding hat standards.
The safety stirrup survey is here: Safety Stirrup Questionnaire
