How do you know your stirrup length is right?

Thanks everybody, you've all given me lots of help! I'll speak up this week at my lesson and see if we can't figure out if I do need to adjust my usual length. It didn't cross my mind at first, I just considered it was my inexperience putting me off balance. I'm still sure that most of my problems are caused by inexperience, but I'll check to make sure that I am riding with my stirrups at the right length too.

Commonfish,

When you next have a chance to canter the horse, try this:

REally think about letting the horse CARRY you. I mean don't try to do the work for him. Think about trusting him to do his job and you just ride ON him. As he is going along let your legs just drape down on him as if you have no control over them. Feel how he lifts up your right hip as he canters on a right lead. Sit up tall, and LET him carry you. All you have to do is sit up tall and NOT do any work. Let him do it, and stay out of his way by not firing any of your muscles except the abdominal/back muscles needed to stay sitting up straight.

Just go until your comfy in the saddle.

What I do (Especially on new saddles) is I put the stirrups about arm length. Then I get on and have someone adjust for me while I'm up there.

1) Check if your legs feel even on both sides when you put weight on your heels.

2) Stand up. There should be about a hand between your butt and the saddle while standing

3) Walk your hore while standing up in the stirrups. You will immediately notice if the sides are uneven here, because the weight is being forced onto the legs and feet.

I've dne this with all my saddles and I've never had a problem.

I noticed my stirrup straps on my lesson saddle were no symmetrical. I even felt uneven... I usually measure by my ankle or my arm length

I measure by the arm length. Also, if your knees hurt after you ride then the stirrups are too short & if your ankles hurt after you are done they are probably too long. Its not uncommon for stirrups to be uneven. Especially if the saddle you are using is old & well worn. The leather on the side which people mount from usually gets stretched out.

Great advice! I'll try that this week- it should help me with my issues- its not all the saddle after all. ;) Last week my instructor and I played around with the stirrups and I think we got them right. Heart (the horse) and I actually had our best canter last week, I'm finally starting to get my feet down right, and with the stirrups feeling even I was quite a happy girl.