About MDC Stirrups
Patented MDC design allows riders to put their stirrup in the exact position for optimal riding. Shock absorbing sides reduce concussion and relieve pain in the ankle, knees, hips and back. Your MDC Ultimate Stirrups® greatly improve your ability to regain a lost stirrup. Just as importantly, due to the preset open angles, your MDC Stirrups™ do not turn back against the horse’s side as aggressively as traditional stirrups when lost, which is the primary reason a rider’s foot can get caught during a fall with the potential of being dragged. Performance, comfort, position and safety are the hallmarks of MDC’s patented line of stirrups making MDC Stirrups™ the favourite of many of today’s top riders.
How does our 100% Product Satisfaction Guarantee work?
If you don’t LOVE your MDC Stirrups, you get your money back. Simply return your stirrups in a clean condition for a full refund of the purchase price. You are only responsible for the shipping to and from The Comfy Horse Company.
Will my MDC Stirrups™ turn while I am riding?
Under normal riding conditions, the answer is “No.” MDC Stirrups™ have been designed to require positive pressure from above and below to turn the mechanism. You need two hands held apart to turn your stirrups into your preferred angle. With only the stirrup leather above the iron while riding, there is no focus point above to apply pressure to the stirrup, so it will not turn while riding.
What is the preferred angle for use of my MDC Stirrups™?
MDC Stirrups™ provide three options for your riding performance and comfort: the traditional angle, 45 degrees and 90 degrees. Most riders find the 45 degree setting the most comfortable and versatile. Each rider should experiment with the angles to see what works best for them. Some riders chose 45 degrees for one leg and 90 degrees for their other leg. Some riders change the angle based upon the shape of the barrel of the horse they are riding; thus changing the angle with each horse. Although 45 degrees seems to be the most popular angle, MDC provides multiple options for your riding pleasure. Of course, our traditional angle setting allows you to ‘run up’ your stirrups when not in use.
How do I clean my MDC Stirrups™?
Basic cleaning of your MDC Stirrups™ is the same as you would with any other stirrup. MDC Stirrups™ utilise a simple mechanism being used in a dirty environment. If your stirrups turn with any roughness, simply spray WD-40 at the upper seam and /or in the drain holes under the mechanism. Turn the top to the left and right four or five turns. If the mechanism is very tight due to debris in the mechanism, place a screw driver through and across the opening for the stirrup leather for extra leverage. Your stirrups will be clean, lubricated and as good as new.
How do MDC Stirrups™ release pain in the ankles, knees, hips and back?
The MDC Intelligent Stirrups® are truly more comfortable due to the fact that These Stirrups Come To You and Not You To Them. Our patented adjustable top allows your stirrups to release pressure in the vertical plane at the angle of your choosing. With our adjustable top, the pressure across your shin is reduced by half, thus reducing painful leg burns. The release of pressure in the vertical plane allows your leg to take a more natural position on the horse thus releasing unnecessary pressure. Our multi-point flexible sides further allow pressure in the joints to be relieved in the horizontal plane. Our stirrups have proven to be the answer to your leg pain issues. Anyone with any stiffness or previous injuries will immediately feel this release of pressure and elimination or reduction of pain, often in one ride!! Please review the MDC website endorsement and testimonial pages for first hand reports of our proven pain relief.
Can MDC Stirrups™ relieve the pain in my feet?
Our ultra-low profile, wide aluminium treads provide a greater surface area for your foot, thus reducing hot spots. Many riders find an immediate relief of long tolerated foot pain.
How do MDC Stirrups™ provide a better base of support?
Every rider carries his or her irons at different angles across each foot. The MDC Intelligent Stirrups® will tend to be in the same angle on each foot. When you begin to feel equal angulation and equal pressure coming through the balls of the feet, you will gain a newfound sense of balance and a stronger sense of your base of support. Our ultra-low profile, wide aluminum treads further increases your base of support by providing more area to support your ride. Imagine standing on the narrow end of a 2” by 4” piece of lumber. Now imagine standing on the wide side of that same board. It is obvious that the wider side will be more supportive, provide more traction due to the increased number of traction surfaces and be more comfortable.
What is the right size MDC Stirrup™ for me?
Stirrup measurements are taken from the inside branch of the stirrup across the tread to the other inside branch. Classically, there should be enough room on either side of your boot to place your index finger. Stirrups that are too small are more difficult to retrieve and may not release your foot easily during a fall.
The most popular size stirrup is 4.75”. Riders with size 5 to 8 shoes usually take a 4.75” stirrup. Larger men or those with wide feet will want a 5” stirrup. If you ride in wide winter boots, you may want to move up a size to accommodate the extra width of your wider boots. Boot size 5 and 5.5 are cusp sizes. You may ride in a 4.75” or 4.5” stirrup depending on the width of your foot. Boot size 4.5 riders will want a 4.5” stirrup. 4.25” stirrups are for the very petite.
MDC Stirrups™ are true sized. We have taken into account the rubber sleeves and create a true opening of either 4 ¼”, 4 ½”, 4 ¾” or 5”. The MDC design allows for more escape room from the top of the tread to the top of the inner stirrup arch. This increased area allows for more ease in escaping a stirrup during a fall than designs with less clearance area.
Are MDC Stirrups™ legal for competitive riding?
Absolutely!! MDC Stirrups™ have been the most popular singular brand of stirrups for the US Olympic Teams in all three riding disciplines for the past three Olympic Games. MDC is legal in all riding disciples including showing, showjumping, equitation, le trec, dressage, endurance riding, eventing, polo or just leisurely hacking.
Are MDC Stirrups™ safer than other stirrups?
MDC Stirrups™ are safer than many other stirrups due to their tendency to stay open to the horse’s sides when lost. Stirrups tend to return to their natural position flat against the horse’s side when released. There is no practical purpose for your stirrups to lay flat against the horse’s side. In fact, this inherent tendency is a primary cause for being caught during a fall or for being unable to retrieve a lost iron. Since MDC Stirrups™ tend to stay open to the horse’s side at 45 degrees, and more so at 90 degrees, our stirrups give you a needed advantage in stirrup retrieval and safety.
The sport of horseback riding involves various inherent risks of injury, including the risk of catching your boot in a stirrup. No stirrups, including ours, can guarantee the user’s safety.
How do I change the aluminium wide tread to the optional traditional width tread?
To remove or replace the MDC aluminum pads, use a 5mm hex head socket with a ratchet wrench.
We want your treads to be secure and tight. Only a ratchet wrench will be able to achieve maximum security. If any looseness remains, remove the tread and apply a bead of waterproof, 100% silicone to the underside of the pads to the left and right of the four rails where the screws attach. Put the treads back in place, tighten and let the silicone dry. This should insure a secure fit with no tread movement. You may need to use a rubber or plastic hammer to tap your stirrups into place over the screw holes. This is a close fit to insure security. Do not over-tighten the screw as it may strip.
Do MDC Stirrups™ have a front and rear?
Your stirrups do have a front and rear. The front of your stirrup is flat and says “MDC Sport”. The rear of your stirrup has a high traction 45° pick up ramp for improved stirrup retrieval and for added security when riding ‘home’ in your irons.
How do I install MDC ‘S’ Model Stirrups™ the first time?
The ‘S’ Models have a designated right and left stirrup. Please look under the tread to see which is your right and left stirrup. You can also differentiate the stirrups as the metal takes a right turn at the top for the right stirrup and a left turn for the left stirrup. Your stirrups also have a front and rear. The front of your stirrup is flat and says “MDC Sport” . The rear of your stirrup has a high-traction, 45 degree pick up ramp for improved stirrup retrieval and for added security when riding ‘home’ in your irons. It is important that your leathers are properly placed on your stirrups.