If you experience knee pain after a lengthy trail ride, you’re definitely not alone! Fortunately, there are some simple adjustments you can make to help alleviate that discomfort and protect your knees.
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• Ask your local saddlemaker to adjust your fenders forward so that your legs can hang naturally, similar to when riding bareback. By moving them forward, your fenders will have more freedom of movement.
• Consider replacing your stirrup leathers. Standard stirrup leathers are typically 3 inches wide, making them resistant to twisting and putting pressure on your knees. Have your saddlemaker switch them out for 2-inch-wide leathers that can twist more easily.
• Swap out narrow stirrup platforms for wider ones to distribute your weight across a larger surface area.