English leathers length?

[WP~Paint]

I got a new saddle for Christmas and I am calling tomorrow about lessons. I want to do both English and Western. I know my leathers are too long, and I think if I punch holes in them the excess will hang too far. I want to be prepared before I take lessons, but isn't that what a trainer is for. I don't want to look unprepared, but I don't really know how to measure for them and exactly how to do it. My trainer is supposed to help me right?

[Palogal]

They usually come in child or adult length. I had to punch holes in mine for jumping. The extra really isn't a problem. If you need more holes I'd go ahead and make them but make sure they're even. Yes, your trainer should help you with it.

[WP~Paint]

Ok, I think I will maybe make one hole, but wait and see what she says. I don't want to make a bunch of extra holes. They are older leathers but they are Crosby and came on my saddle so I hate to get rid of them! There so nice :D

[AUEquine]

I always have to punch more holes in mine... not sure who they make those leathers for! I also usually have to ad half holes, because I'm always in the middle. So I have all of these random holes up and down my stirrups, one length for flat work, one for hunters, another for jumpers/xc. And they also streach so you have to accomodate for the streaching of the left stirup leather from mounting. It's a good idea to switch them every time you clean your saddle.

Also I wouldn't go buy new/shorter ones. I can't stand new stirrup leathers. They're so stiff, and the buckle doesn't lay smooth. Just take the excess of your stirrup leathers, and tuck it back up under your saddle flap if it's long enough. If it's not long enough to stay up behind there, and you think it's too long and looks bad, just cut it off. I can promise you, you'll never need those last few inches. Take it to a shoe shop and have them cut it so it's clean and even.

[gaited07]

take the stirrup and place it to your under arm pit while you have your finger tips on the base of the leathers, mark this spot and get the ole leather punch out and go to town.

[luvs2ride1979]

Don't worry about punching extra holes, most people do! Just be sure to take the leathers OFF your saddle to do so, and line them up on the floor so the holes are even on both sides.

You can also wrap the leathers around your iron once or twice to shorten them without punching more holes.

[alittleoffkey]

luvs2 means like this (for the visual learners :D) :
http://inlinethumb18.webshots.com/35985/2901353520033485505S425x425Q85.jpg

I'm not particularly fond of the look - I'd rather just punch extra holes. :cowboy:

[Palogal]

luvs2 means like this (for the visual learners :D) :
http://inlinethumb18.webshots.com/35985/2901353520033485505S425x425Q85.jpg

I'm not particularly fond of the look - I'd rather just punch extra holes. :cowboy:

I do this for the little tiny peanut lead line kids that are kicking leather rather than horse. I usually have to wrap them twice.

[WP~Paint]

I think I will just lay them on the floor and punch the right length! Thanks guys!