Track Rider’s Horror Dragging Ordeal. 
   This dragging incident at Sandown on 6th October 2004 follows another near fatal dragging incident whereby Matthew Palmer was dragged for 100m and blacked out. When he came too Matthew said he had no feeling from his waist down and thought he was paralyzed. Fortunately Matthew only suffered severe bruising.
    Matthew has since been using Track Toe Stoppers and said "They are good - Too good!" because he was concerned if he had to ride another trainers horse without Toe Stoppers. Matthew also used the Race Toe Stoppers last Saturday 2nd October 2004.  
 View the incredible testimonials

Toe Stoppers: Rated the best safety device since the helmet, Toe Stoppers have won seven prestigious international awards! Riders who use Toe Stoppers may gain a competitive advantage because they no longer lose concentration when their feet slip forward off the stirrup iron. Toe Stoppers keep feet in the correct position and prevent feet from slipping. Balance and concentration is improved, as well as performance and results. Toe Stoppers are made of a durable material and attach easily with Velcro making for comfortable, safe riding and dismounting. Designed to fit western, endurance and English stirrups/irons, Toe Stoppers attach easily by sliding into the stirrup, the side straps wrap around the sides, top and base of the stirrup. Safety can be added to any stirrup! Did you know that being hooked up in the stirrup iron and dragged is the most dangerous aspect of horse riding resulting in serious injuries and death? Latest statistics show there are 210 horse-riding deaths and 75,000 serious injuries each year in America alone. Over the past 20 years in Australia, 410 riders have died, on average 20 horse riders die each year and there are 3,000 serious injuries. Avoid the inherent risk of dragging or worse. Toe Stoppers are sold in pairs, with two colors to choose from in the following sizes. State size, color and style. Approved for all sanctioned equestrian events and used at the Olympic games.
Item # ST-TS -(special at $65.00 - while supplies last) reg price $72.00 pair
Western & Endurance (black/brown) in: 4 ¾, 5 and 5 ½ inch.
(To determine size, measure inside at the widest part, side-to-side for sizing.  If your western or endurance stirrup has a 1-inch top bar, size down by one).
English (black/brown) in: 3 ½, 4 , 4 ¼, 4 ½, 4 ¾, 5 and 5 ½ inch.
(To determine size, measure tread width side-to-side).
Racing 3 ½ inch and Track 4 ¾ inch (black only)

Click here for photo's showing the various ways of attaching Toe Stoppers

Toe Stoppers & Top Riders go hand in hand.  Chris Chugg riding 5 y.o. European imported stallion "Vivant" winning at the Gold Coast Polo & Country Club with Toe Stoppers

Click  for Toe Stoppers in use       

Product available Whole-Sale Click Here

Leather Covered Bell Stirrup: These stirrups are unique and time consuming to make. Built on lightweight nylon cores with a 3" base (front to rear measurement) with a 2.5 inch neck, they are 4 3/4 wide with a 3-inch neck they are 4 7/8" wide. These bells are covered with leather to match your saddle. Wet-molded, clamped and expertly stitched with all edges sanded, waxed and burnished, these stirrups are gorgeous. They are comfortable too, with a cushioned ½" thick footpad, nonskid sole that absorbs more concussion and prevents more foot pain than you can imagine. (extra options of this pad UNDER the leather pad, as shown below.) Specify style and leather color. Item # ST-LB – Price $75.00

Leather Covered Over Shoe Stirrup:  Without the bulk as seen with other over shoe stirrups, these are just 2 inches deep.  Measured from the inside, they are a true six inches wide and six inches tall measured to the bottom base of the half inch leather covered cushioned tread.  This cushioned pad can be either exposed as seen in the above photo or covered as shown here. Available in 2, 2.5, 3 inch neck size and in brown, black or natural color leather.  Item #  ST-O - Price $75.00

Kwik-Out Irons: While supplies last. Safety is what these stirrups provide. These perfect looking English irons have a hidden secret. When the rider’s weight hits the outside of the stirrup, as when the rider is coming out of the saddle, the side of the stirrup will open, releasing the rider’s foot, avoiding the dreaded dragging. It will not open during the usual shenanigans we experience in riding, but only in the event of an emergency. Stainless steel with a durable nylon Bristol tread, 4 3/4 wide. Item # ST-KO - Price $95.00  while supplies last.

*SAFETY TIP* For our young children we striped out the heavy western fenders and replaced them with English leathers and Kwick Out safety irons. WHY? First let us look at the child’s leg. Children’s legs in many cases stick straight out from the horse. Kids have small weak legs. It takes every bit of effort for them just to keep their boots on, let alone, kick their horses’ sides hard enough to get them moving. Knowing that kids have short legs that do not drop down easily onto the horses’ sides and western fenders are thick, stiff, and hard to adjust tells us the child can’t "get his leg on the horse." Therefore, we put the English leathers on the saddle. They are soft, pliable and easily adjustable for the long or short legged rider. The child can easily move these leathers, for there is less bulk to move and more importantly the child can get his leg on the their horse - feeling the horse. We also put Kwik Out safety stirrups on or you can use any iron with Toe Stoppers. We have found, that there are no good western "safety" stirrups on the market for children, with the exception of the tapadero, covered western stirrup or Toe Stoppers. But these western set ups are still so hard for the kids to manipulate, due to the bulk of the western fender. Many times they can they can only get the just the tip of their boot in and do not have the downward pressure in many cases, to hold their foot in the stirrup and subsequently lose their stirrup easily. With the English leathers and irons the kids can get their feet deep in the stirrup (iron), regardless of what boot they are wearing; and in the event of a spill the either the iron kicks open or the Toe Stopper releases the child’s foot. From all that I have witnessed, this set up, by far, is the safest and most practical, user-friendly system . Please take my advice and make your child a better and a SAFER rider.

Stirrup Leathers: I always knew how hard it was to find good stirrup leathers, but until one goes and tries to find a decent supplier you can only imagine the headaches. At last I was able to have my friend and supplier of our "Soft Touch" tack, make leathers exactly how they needed to be made! First they all have the flat stainless steel buckles, followed by thin, top grain leather sewn over a tough nylon web to ensure strength avoiding annoying stretching and misshaping that happens to leathers not reinforced. These leathers are thin and come with coverlets for those who ride with their buckles down by the stirrup. Specify leather color and length (49" short, 55" standard, 61" long and 1" wide.) HVF Exclusive. Item # ST-LTH - Price $75.00

Sold in a pairs

Slip on Fenders:

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Biothane Leathers: These "leathers" are made of thin but strong black biothane. They are two inches wide, 62 inches long and will have a cam buckle for easy adjustment. They come with a pair of leather sleeves in brown or black. These biothane leathers will not stretch in the heat of summer or crack in the cold of winter. So, replace your leather, "leathers" or fenders that are worn or stretched out. Sold in pairs and can be custom ordered for longer length. HVF exclusive. Item # ST-BL - Price $50.00

Slide and glue in place - easy as that!

Stirrup Pads:  Relive stress and strain to your feet by adding stirrup pads. Pads are 4 1/2 inches wide - at bottom edge of pad, and are 3 7/8 inches deep. Easy to slide in and cut down - if necessary. Attach using 2 part epoxy cement and use a clamp to hold down hard until cement is set. Also available is the Grippe Pad which is 4 x 3 inches and 1/2 inch thick. Sold in pairs. HVF exclusive. Item # ST-P - Price $13.99 for standard  or Item # ST-GP - Price $10.00 for grippe
 

Under side of stirrup with pad in.

Grippe below

"Cathy just wanted to give you an update on the test stirrup pads you sent me to try on my "crooked" stirrups.  I got them glued in and they work great.  My feet aren't slipping out of my stirrups like they use to and the sticky grip the pads have is great.  I've included a couple pictures of the stirrups,"