Re: help for riders knees

[Penny McCauley <penny@zianet.com>]

I have found in addition to longer set stirrups, a narrow twist and 
thinner stirrup leathers.....lighter weight stirrups and a wide bottom 
stirrup helps also.
I ride a OF Brazos (stock seat) saddle. I keep a broom handle stuck 
through the stirrups twisting them to the out side when not riding. This 
keeps the stirrups hanging solid side parallel to the horse's side, or 
tilted out a little. My knees are not subjest to pressure, trying to 
keep the stirrups pushed out and I have plenty of surface to comfortably 
support my weight. Also the lighter the stirrup is, the less knee 
pressure used when fiddling with the stirrup.
I also use a heat rub on my knee the night before a competition, in the 
morning before I mount up and at each vet check. Again that night before 
I turn in and the next morning.
I've never had surgery on my knee, but it took me a year to recover from 
a broken collar bone. So take one day in little bits. And when your 
riding if your knee starts to feel achy, get off and walk awhile 
(towards home). No pain, no gain is NOT the motto here.
Hope this is of some help and take care,
Penny (NM)