Constantly loosing stirrups in new saddle-getting the fenders to stay turned out.

So I've had this issue for awhile now and I'm wondering if the new saddle just needs its time to break in or If anyone has any tricks. I got the saddle new last Christmas. Only saddle I own so it gets used a majority of the time and is still a bit stiff in the fenders. Before I moved barns I was using the broomstick idea to turn the fenders which worked for awhile but they always just went back to there normal way. They also have those cheapie rawhide stirrups on them which I'm going to change tomorrow because I bought aluminum ones with thick tread on them. I also read that if you put the stirrup keepers bck on that it'll help turn the fenders back out. But because my stirrups are on the smallest hole they'll go I cannot fit the keeper back on because the fender is wider there.

Any tips? I constantly loose my stirrups especially when cantering because no matter what my saddle just wants to keep turning back to its normal state. I'm constantly fighting with it. Any tips to get my fenders to permanently turn out?!

Here's what my rawhide stirrups look like for comparison and the new ones I just got.

Old stirrups- https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=safari&tbo=d&biw=320&bih=416&t bm=isch&sa=1&q=rawhide+stirrups&oq=rawhide+stirrup s&gs_l=mobile-gws-serp.3..0i24j0i5i24.240008.244262.0.244762.16.7.0. 0.0.0.397.2289.0j1j1j5.7.0...0.0...1ac.1.2AQkBbY_a Rc#i=60

New- https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=safari&tbo=d&biw=320&bih=416&t bm=isch&sa=1&q=aluminum+stirrups&oq=aluminum+sti&g s_l=mobile-gws-serp.1.2.0j0i24l4.104712.109556.0.111594.12.12.0.0 .0.0.483.2872.0j6j3j1j2.12.0...0.0...1ac.1.0vslDQ2 KojY#i=2
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Did you wet down the fenders before turning them with a broomstick? Soaking the lower half of the fender in warm water, then turning them and allowing them to dry with the broomstick in them works well. They just require oiling afterwards.

Or you could just buy something like this:
Tough-1 Stirrup Rotator - Statelinetack.com

Sounds like you definitely need to somehow get a keeper around the fender to keep it closed so that stirrup doesn't move up and down....don't want to have a wreck! I'm short too and my fenders are on the last hole, but they slide up and down so I can keep the smalles part of the fender down and wrap my keeper around it tight just above the stirrup.....have you tried pulling that fender down to roll the smallest part back down.....sometimes actually putting the saddle on the horse and stepping down into it will make it roll down into place, they require a bit of muscle sometimes.......and a horse is the best place to do it, because the saddle is cinched to something!!! Plus it's good desensitizing time in the saddle!

I saw the turners but don't like the feel of the fender just staying next to your leg instead of actually turning with the stirrup. I'd rather the fenders just be turned lol. I didn't wet down the fender. I heard of that though. If I wet them down could I use leather balm on It instead of oil? My saddle is a lighter one that id probably cry if it ended up getting stained or ruined from wetting the fenders. It's not a cheap saddle :(

This is my saddle here-
http://www.dailyequine.com/horsesadd...ing-saddle.jpg

Do you see how it's skinny where the keeper is and as you work your way up the fender towards the seat it gets bigger? Well my legs are so short I have them on the first hole which is where the fender starts getting bigger. It's almost impossible to put a keep on the bigger part :( I may be able to try and force it but its doubtful. If my legs were just a smidge longer I would be able to get em back on but that big part of the fender screwed me :(

Are the stirrup can move up and down but I've never had an issue with it doing that. The issue is just trying to keep my feet actually in the stirrups! Hehe
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No I couldn't get your pics to work, but being that I'm on the last hole on mine, the fender should still slide enough for you to place the smallest part just about the stirrup.....sigh if only I could get your pics working!!! LOL! I want to see! But if they're not strapped they will be very loose and floppy unless you have a whole lot of heel down and weight in them.....should you ever try to pull your foot out quick, you may get hung up....

Hm. Maybe ill try to figure it out tomorrow when I go to the barn anyway to put the new stirrups on. If I had my computer id upload a pic but am on the phone :(

Edit- here's a picture of it so you guys can see it. This is actually my saddle. Ignore me pulling my pony, he's stubborn. ;)

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Here ya go.................
Turning Western Stirrups

I like that idea but I cannot get the stirrup keeper on my saddle (see above post & picture) am going to try again tomorrow, though.
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Well bungie it there till it dries. You can use something other than a keeper.

Is there a saddle shop near you ? Take your saddle and ask if they can cut back the fender some