How to break in your saddle ( stirrups )?

I have a new saddle, and everytime i ride my ankles kill, because the stirrups arent stretched out enough-- someone told me you could stretch them out w/ broom sticks-- does anyone know how that works?? or anyother way? im goign riding in the next couple of days and it would really help me out --- thanks
Answers:
(I guess you are talking about an English Saddle)
I think the problem you are having is from the new saddle and the new position you are sitting in. Even the slightest change in position will alter the position/movement of your legs/feet, and this may be the reason you arehaving ankle pain.
'Stretching out" stirrups (I take it you mean the leathers...) wont do anything, nor will bending the irons. If you want to change the angle of the 'arms' on your stirrup irons, the best way is to buy a pair of angled irons (also alled 'setbacks').
Depending on what kind of saddle you have bought, you may be able to adjust the angle of the stirrup bars, too.
If you have a new pair of leathers, they may be stiff, but shouldn't affect the way you sit. but you can use saddle oil, like Neatsfoot or Effol to soften them up some.
Hope this helps!
:-D

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all you do is when you arnt riding, put the saddle on its stand and put either a 2x4 or broomstick through both of the stirrups and kinda turn them outward the way you want them to go. You can put oil on the fender to help turn them out faster.
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=h...

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use a lot of linseed oil to soften the leather, then, with the saddle on a saddle rack, push a broomhandle through both stirrups and let the leather stretch itself to the new position, which occurs as the leather begins to dry. the added suppleness will prevent the tendency of the leather to force your toes inward. continuously doing this over a long time will allow the leather to naturally find a relaxed position, even if the leather becomes dry from lack of oiling of the leather.

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Western saddle I presume?
Consider selling it and getting a used model!
Otherwise, you can oil the leather heavily with olive oil (cheap) twist the stirrup as if your foot was in it, then twist it a bit further and push a broom stick threw one, under the saddle stand and threw the other twisted stirrup.
You'll want to do that for months/years when it's not being used!

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oil your tack and extend your stirrups until they stretch out so they won't hurt as bad. The only thing that will truley break them in is use. I know of people who have tried the broom thing and it didn't work it just put a constant twist in their leathers and they had to buy new ones. You may want to think about getting a more expensive stirrup leather made out of italian leather. They are A LOT softer and they will last you A LOT longer they are expensive but I've had mine for over 6 years and they're still as good as the day I bought them!

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Just put lots of time on it. Also, get some leather stuff, it untangles tough or thick leather. Put broom sticks between the stirrup and the top where the saddle goes.
good luck!!

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I have also heard of the broom. And when i tried it it worked for me. You can also use just a board

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Go ahead and twist the stirrups one rotation toward the way you need them to naturally stay. Take a long stick and stick it through the stirrups so they can not twist back and leave it like this every time you put it up for a while. This works on the same principle as wrapping a soft ball glove around a softball with duct tape so it will fit the ball.

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Hi, it takes a few days, but what you do, when you are not riding in the saddle is.., on a saddle stand or sawhorse, twist the stirrups backwards to the outside, as if your feet were in them, but accentuated, and put any kind of broomstick or PVC piece of pipe through the 2 stirrups under the saddle, and it will stretch the leather and bend it to the position that you want the stirrups to be where thay will be comfortable for you. Done it sooooooo many times on new saddles. Works great! Your saddle will soften and start fitting to you and your horse the more you ride in it! This takes many rides, but the stirrups are the easy part! As your saddle wears in, make sure you use a cleaning oil to keep it supple and free of dry cracking, as this may cause breakage of the leather and accidents! Have fun!

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http://www.jeffersequine.com/ssc/product...
Copy and paste the above link to your browser. I have seen cheaper but they don't swivel.
Otherwise sit the saddle on a saddle stand and spray down the fenders with Gylcerin soap twist the stirrups more than they normally would be with your foot in them and stick a broom handle or some such thing thru them and leave them.
Or you could do what I did when I had my saddle custom made for me and my horse. You can take the saddle to a saddle maker and have him put a permanent twist to the fenders by wrapping them. This puts the stirrup right where it is supposed to be.
Of course you could go buy a hand made saddle for about $4K or a used one for about $1500.00. I have a Hamely saddle for sale. The reason I am selling it is because it rarely fits any of the horses I ride. It was made 75 + years ago when horses actually had withers and weren't so muttened withered and fat as they are today.
It would fit a TB or a Mustang built type horse. Something with high withers.
Or you can get totally comfortable and get a (good, not off brand) Aussie or Dressage saddle to ride in if you really want comfort.
Good luck. When I got my handmade saddle from the saddle maker there was NO breaking in needed because it was made right and not off an assembly line. It was the best investment I have ever made.
Dawn

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I use leather softener(or oiling it). I just got a new saddle a couple months ago. You just oil it all up and it softens immediately. I suggest using Lexol, which you can find at a tack store. It may darken your saddle(which I didn't mind), but if you want it maintaining its original color, it also comes in a non-darkening version.

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i just got my new saddle too. i cleaned it then i did the broom stick thing. you could also twist the stirrups manually. both ways. you have to do it a couple of times. my advice is twist or use the broom but don't clean it every day when u twist. my cleaning the leather, you soften it and it easier to twist. but yeah those 2 things should help. also riding in it more will help, but if your ankels hurt then don't ride in it more than u have to.
P.S could your stirrups b to short, maybe that's wht 's causing your ankles to hurt. any more questions email/msg me

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I agree with oiling them, Passier Lederbalsam is a great leather conditioner.

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Broom sticks work well. you put the saddle on a saddle rack, figure the stirrups to how you want them when riding, do another half turn, then put the broom stick through and wait. thats all there is to it.

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you can try wetting the leather with water before you ride. then the leather will stretch while you are ridding and dry in the position you want. also you can buy a stirrup straightener. this is the quick fix that will really work but makes your saddle look really funny. instead of the stirrup attaching to the saddle leather you put one of these metal things in between and it turns the stirrup strait. you can get them from valley vet supply at www.valleyvet.com for about $20 to $30 and there are a lot of different designs. the only problem is if you put them on your saddle you don't really fix the problem it only hides it so you cant take it off of the saddle with out it being hard on your ankles again.