The "Why" Behind Heel-Down Stirrups

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Heel‑Down Stirrups began on a cold January in South Dakota when I set out to design the ideal stirrup. Years of studying biomechanics for both horse and rider convinced me that what I wanted simply didn’t exist. The Western world has countless specialty saddles, but stirrup innovation had lagged. I knew what I liked about oxbows—their safety and easy release—and what I appreciated in Visalia stirrups—their proven reliability—yet both had trade‑offs. I set out to combine their strengths and go further.

The first challenge was safety and security. By placing the widest part of the stirrup higher than a standard Visalia, the foot can settle more deeply, with a narrower base below for added security. A flat footbed provides stability and independence of movement. After much testing, I found 2½‑inch treads to be the “magic number,” offering comfort for long rides without sacrificing control. Weight was another focus—a lighter stirrup stays with the foot better during fast maneuvers. To prevent pendulum swing and make blown stirrups easier to recover, Heel‑Down stirrups are centrally balanced with narrower sidewalls and a thicker hanger bar for better contact with the leather. Slight height from the footbed also helps the stirrup stay in place.

Angles set these stirrups apart. An angled footbed naturally encourages heels down without stressing the ankle, letting the rider simply relax into position. There’s also a lateral angle that relieves knee strain for shorter‑stirruped riders, supporting the knee from the outside in and keeping toes comfortably turned out.

Treads were another area for improvement. Many leather or rubber treads are slick and bulky, lifting the foot too high and causing premature heel contact. We developed a western version of the proven “cheese grater” tread from the English world—lightweight, secure, and effective in all conditions. For those who prefer a softer ride, we also offer two rubberized tread options or none at all.

If you have questions, we’d love to hear from you. We built these stirrups to solve real problems for real riders, and we’re proud to share them with you.