How to Attach Western Stirrups to English Saddles

With a little ingenuity and knowledge of an English saddle, you can put western stirrups on an English saddle. An English stirrup, which is usually made of metal, attaches to the saddle via saddle leathers. The stirrup bar -- a metal hook under the skirt of the saddle -- holds the leathers in place. A similar setup keeps the fenders and stirrups on a western saddle. In a pinch or for comfort, you can put western stirrups on an English saddle.

Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the western stirrups from its saddle by undoing the Blevins buckle located near the bottom of the fender. The fender protects the rider from the Blevins buckle and attaches the stirrup to the saddle. Repeat for the second stirrup.

    • 2

      Pull down on the front half of the stirrup leather on the English saddle until you see the buckle. Pull up on the strap to release the buckle. Remove the English stirrup.

    • 3

      Replace the English stirrup with the western stirrup. Reattach the buckle and pull on the stirrup leather by the back half of the loop until the stirrup leather buckle hits the stirrup bar.