Have you ever tried those fancy stirrups that cost around $180 a pair? They're the ones that supposedly absorb the shock and adjust to "come to you"? Are they a rip off or worth it? I got my neice the tilted ones to help with heels down for christmas but she wanted these other ones.

More like close to $200 for these. I have the MDC ones, but I think there are also ones by Sprenger. I don't have terrible problems, but I have knee locking issues when I jump. (My knees sort of lock after my coursework and when I'm about to dismount.) It can be momentarily quite painful. So I splurged and bought the stirrups for my birthday. When I first tried them, I do remember being really thrilled with the feel; however, having been riding with them now I don't really notice them. But then I haven't had discomfort either, so they could be working. My recommendation is not to spend unless you do have a knee or leg issue that is causing you discomfort. Some of the stirrups allow you to adjust how the are positioned on the stirrup leather, where you can turn them 90 degrees so that they are facing the correct direction already instead of having your foot and leg turn them to it. Some riders feel less stress on the knee. I would borrow them from someone who has them first before investing. Though, having said that, I don't have any regrets buying them.

My grandma got me a pair of the Herm Sprenger System 4 Stirrups. I love them. They have helped with discomfort in my leg and foot and have helped improve my equitation! I would recommend them... and if you know someone that has them try them out first.

My favorite pair are VERY old and the bottom[metal] actually tilts down to help ankle angles. Have a few friends that have bought them. LovED them and then once their riding level improved hated them and went back to regular plain stirrups. Another thing with the jointed ones is that they always bend so if you really needed a support its not there. Most leg/ankle problems are leg/hip placement or using muscles to try and hold on rather than stirrup issues. I do recommend safety stirrups the kind with rubber on the outside-I've been drug ITS NOT FUN.