Written on 03/27/2026
This document is based on feedback from our partners and customers, as well as tests conducted on the stirrups.

Why choose Rid’Up stirrups and the ARS (Angle Release System) technology.

The two stirrup safety systems in horse riding

Rider safety is an absolute priority in horse riding. Among the most serious accidents is the risk of getting caught in the stirrup during a fall, a situation that can lead to serious injuries if the horse continues to move.

To address this risk, several safety stirrup technologies exist.

 

1. Monobranch stirrups

The first monobranch or elastic stirrups date back to the 1930s.
Today, there are many models on the market based on this unpatented principle:

• Monobranch stirrups with flexible, semi-flexible, or open branches with magnetic retention.

• Side-opening stirrups.

 

2. Automatic release stirrups (patented ARS technology)

The technology used for Rid’Up stirrups takes a different approach.
In most falls, if the foot remains trapped, the stirrup automatically detaches from the stirrup leather, thus preventing the rider from being dangerously dragged by the moving horse.

Comparison between the two systems

Safety in case of falls

Based on user feedback collected to date, Rid'Up technology appears to provide a level of safety particularly appreciated by our riders.

Indeed, many customers report having triggered the safety system during a fall, thus avoiding being dragged.

This frequent and spontaneous feedback confirms a significant improvement in safety.

Nevertheless, we remain very cautious in interpreting this data. Safety remains a statistical concept depending on many factors, including the type of fall, the rider's morphology, the footwear used, the riding conditions, and the equipment adjustment. No equipment can guarantee a total absence of risk. Rid’Up stirrups are part of a risk reduction approach, without being able to constitute an absolute guarantee of safety.

But unlike monobranch stirrups, these features do not come at the expense of structural balance.

 

Fatigue and breakage of monobranch stirrups

Monobranch stirrups, by definition, have an open structure with a single branch, working as a cantilever. This design means that the stirrup deforms more during use (mounting, landing from jumps, imbalances, etc.). These repeated stresses lead to a progressive fatigue of the structure, which can result in a loss of rigidity or, in some cases, component degradation and breakage.

The design of Rid’Up stirrups, on the other hand, is based on the closed architecture of classic stirrups, which offers better distribution of mechanical stresses. This geometry limits stress concentration areas and significantly reduces repeated flexing.

 

Comfort

Grip:

A very effective grip on the stirrup tread provides increased comfort and better efficiency. However, this grip can prevent the foot from releasing from the stirrup in case of a fall.

The Rid'Up system does not require the foot to be released, as the stirrup detaches from the stirrup leather. This allows for a combination of safety, efficiency, and comfort.

 

Symmetric distribution of forces:

One of the most immediate striking effects for riders discovering Rid'Up is the sensation of comfort.

With Rid'Up technology, the stirrup frame remains rigid and symmetrical.

Since the stirrup's orientation is free, the tread naturally follows the foot's movements, which allows for:

✔ a natural foot position

✔ a homogeneous pressure distribution on the tread

✔ optimal leg stability.

The elastic deformation of monobranch stirrups, which lowers the outside of the stirrup, can result in:

• A different sensation of support between the inside and outside of the foot.

• A modified foot position.

• Knee pain compensating for asymmetry.

 

As the structure of monobranch stirrups is asymmetrical, the weight distribution on the closed side is greater than on the open side, favoring an imbalance inwards and asymmetrical foot support.

 

Unintended foot release

In some open-branch systems, safety often relies on significant lateral pressure exerted on the stirrup.

In certain situations (strong lateral pressure, unbalanced landing), this can cause an unintended opening of the branch.

The Rid’Up mechanism works differently.

The release is linked to:

✔ the foot angle

✔ the rotational movement during the fall

This logic helps limit accidental releases during normal use, while ensuring a quick release when the situation requires it.

Specific risks of open or semi-open stirrups

Some feedback reports situations where external elements—such as draw reins, lead ropes, the bit, a stall door, or various parts of the equipment—can get caught in the opening of open or semi-open stirrups, causing discomfort for the horse or a panic situation.