Breakaway Stirrups

The Breakaway Stirrup is designed to “breakaway” from the saddle when the rider is in danger

Want stirrups designed to release before your child gets dragged?

Reviewed by Ann Pruitt, InfoHorse.com · Updated May 2026

Breakaway Stirrups by STI Western safety stirrup in action on a saddled horse

"Breakaway Stirrups" by STI Corporation

The Breakaway Stirrup is designed to “breakaway” from the saddle when the rider is in danger of getting “hung up” in their stirrup- to prevent dragging!

How Did Breakaway Stirrups Come To Be?

Says creator of Breakaway Stirrups Michael J. McCoy, After being in the cattle business all of my life and rodeoing professionally for sixteen years, I've experienced and witnessed a few horse wrecks. I only got dragged once, but I saw a man get drug to death. But it didn't really sink in until my kids started riding. My oldest boy, Willy, had size 11 shoes when he was about 10. So I made all of our kids split their boots down the back like a bronc rider. But that still wasn't enough, I figured more had to be done. The idea of a breakaway stirrup finally did come to me, and I know it was a blessing from above. Our number one goal at S.T.I. is to prevent draggings, whether we sell stirrups or not. In my opinion, most of the modern riding community has forgotten about the dangers of getting dragged, or just aren't aware of the risks.

Is It True That Draggings Have Always Been A Potential Problem?

Yes. Draggings have plagued horseback riders since the invention of the stirrup. Dragging prevention began with the use of riding boots. These boots had a defined heel to prevent a rider's foot from slipping through the stirrup. They also had an open top so if a rider got hung up, their boot might slip off before they got drug too long. This boot became known as the cowboy boot, and today it's become a popular icon in our society of the American west, however, we've forgotten the purpose for which they were created. Many modern versions of the cowboy boot have a less defined heel, and some have laces, making it impossible for that boot to slip off in a dragging situation. Speaking of the American west, who can forget the gun toting cowboys etched in time by greats like Charlie Russell. It's a common misconception that these working cowboys wore six guns because they were all gunslingers. The six gun emerged in the west as a tool of the working cowboys, so that in the event of a dragging, they could shoot their horse before they got drug to death.
Is It True That Breakaway Stirrups Can Actually Help Prevent Non-Dragging Head Injuries?
Yes! Many of the really bad buck offs that result in head injuries come from temporary stirrup hang ups. The person didn't necessarily get dragged, but got hung up long enough to get spun around and have their bodies swung under the horse, exposing the body to the horse's hind legs. When a person gets bucked off hard, but gets out of the stirrups clean, they will generally land hard but probably not on their head., and most likely be able to walk away. If they do get spun around in the stirrup, that's generally where riders land on their head, or get exposed to the hind legs, and get hurt the worst. Breakaway Stirrups can help prevent a head injury due to a temporary ‘hang up’ in the stirrups.

So How To The Breakaway Stirrups Actually Work When I Am Riding?

S.T.I.'s safety breakaway stirrup is designed to "breakaway" from the saddle when the rider is in danger of getting "hung up" n their stirrup, and being dragged by their horse. As a rider falls to the ground, their bottom drops below their heel and their toe will come up, this will rotate the stirrup around the stirrup leather, releasing the mechanism.

1) The release mechanism is a precision-engineered safety device, designed to release itself from the stirrup leather when it reaches a 72° backward angle, or a 45° forward angle. The forward angle can be activated if a rider falls off the horse or gets thrown and hangs their foot up in the stirrup. The backward angle is generally activated when a horse falls and a rider's foot goes through the stirrup. Whether your foot is all the way through or if your toe is wedged in the stirrup, the stirrup will break away.

2) These angles of release were scientifically predetermined to be reached only in a dragging situation. In a normal riding situation, a rider's stirrup won't generally rotate more than 5°. But even if you're spurring a horse from their shoulder to their hip, with your toes out and down, your stirrups won't rotate much more than 35°. For the mechanism to release, the rider has to be in a dragging position, or in the process of falling off.

But What If I Am Thrown Over My Horses Head?

You can get thrown over the horses head, straight in the air, off the back or out to the side; whether it's the near side stirrup or the far side stirrup, the stirrup will always rotate before you hit the end of your stirrup leather.

Do Breakaway Stirrups Work For Lighter Adults or Teenagers?

Yes! The Breakaway Stirrups functions the same for an 80 lb. child, as it does for a 300 lb. adult. The release mechanism can be most closely related to that of the ski binding. In field tests it took about 5,000 lbs. of downward force to break out the stainless steel stirrup clip, to release the mechanism. The steel parts used in the mechanism are investment cast stainless steel parts, that have to maintain .01" tolerances. The precision of this mechanism gives it the surefire abilities common to a pistol, and the strength to withstand the harshest riding conditions.

Can I Choose My Styles?

You bet! We have many styles to choose from— you will love our large selection!

Why Are Breakaways Stirrups A Little Expensive?

They are expensive to make and to create! But the truth is, Breakaway Stirrups don’t cost you money— they Save you money! One trip to the hospital… will cost you so much more, not to mention if you lost your life. These are a high quality, high functioning, beautiful to look at, Safety insurance (tax deductible to horse businesses!) that can save you from terrible injury or death.

What Do People Say About Their Breakaway Stirrups?

"Daughter came off safely, got the horse up without it actually rolling over onto the saddle, and we thought nothing more of the incident until she started to get back on and the stirrup was missing on the side she came off of. It gives me chills to think that her foot was in a position to be dragged or else the stirrup would not have released. Thank you. A million times... thank you."

-Lana Bain

Puyallup, WA

"I was chasing a steer down hill, standing in the stirrups, swinging my rope, trying to get close enough for a shot, when the horse dropped his head and went to bucking. I couldn't get his head up and got pitched off the far side. My right foot got hung up in the stirrup, but about the time I hit the ground the stirrup released and kept me from being drug.
-Phil Mueller

"As soon as I hit the ground, I knew that my right leg was injured. The horse jumped to his feet and started running off with my foot still in the stirrup. As soon as the horse made his first step to run, the stirrup blew off. That is when I realized that the miracle had happened, the stirrup came off."
-Gary Skluzacek
Lonsdale, MN

"...Last fall we had our first mishap when one of our horses, spooked by wildlife, parted company with his rider. I was directly behind this horse and witnessed your stirrup breaking away even before the rider hit the ground. Other than being a little shaken, the rider was fine. The paint gelding involved is gentle, well mannered and well acclimated to his environment, again proving that any horse can spook at any given time. Bottom line, your stirrups, when put to the test, worked as advertised.

An occurrence that could have been very serious turned out to be rather uneventful, thanks in part to your stirrups."

-Tom Heenan

Tidioute, PA

Isn’t Your Life Worth Protecting? Order Breakaway Stirrups Today!

Life doesn’t give you notice of an impending danger. Horse riding is one of the most joyful, and dangerous, activities. But you can save yourself a lot of worry and potential injury, with your one time investment with Breakaway Stirrups. We’re happy to answer your questions and to help you with your order today.

What exactly is a Breakaway Stirrup?

The Breakaway Stirrup is a patented Western safety stirrup made by STI (Saddle Technology Incorporated) of Laurel, Montana, engineered to detach from the stirrup leather the instant a rider is in danger of being hung up and dragged. Outwardly it looks like a high-quality traditional Western stirrup and is offered in the familiar Oxbow, Visalia, and Roper silhouettes, so riders gain a life-saving release mechanism without changing the look or feel of their tack. STI compares the system to a downhill ski binding: it holds firmly through normal use but lets go cleanly when a fall puts the foot at a dangerous angle.

STI Breakaway safety stirrup demonstration preventing rider dragging

Who created the Breakaway Stirrup?

The stirrup was invented by Michael J. McCoy, a lifelong cattleman who rodeoed professionally for sixteen years before turning his attention to rider safety. As McCoy himself puts it, after a life in the cattle business and the rodeo arena he understood firsthand the danger of a foot caught in the stirrup during a fall. That experience drove the design and patenting of the breakaway mechanism, now produced under his Montana company STI (Saddle Technology Incorporated).

Western rider using STI Breakaway Stirrups for fall protection

How the release mechanism actually works

As a rider falls, the seat drops below the heel and the toe rotates upward, turning the stirrup around the leather and tripping the mechanism. The precision device releases when it reaches a 72-degree backward angle (typical when a horse falls and the foot pushes through) or a 45-degree forward angle (typical when a rider is thrown forward). Normal riding produces only about 5 degrees of rotation and even aggressive spurring reaches roughly 35 degrees, so the stirrups stay put through barrel racing, roping, and hard riding and release only in a genuine emergency.

Breakaway Stirrups by STI mounted on a Western saddle

The materials and engineering inside

Each stirrup is built around a super-strong reinforced polyurethane nylon core that also helps protect the leg and foot if a horse falls on the rider. The release relies on investment-cast stainless steel parts machined to .01-inch tolerances, with a spring-loaded action that takes 8 lbs. of torsion pressure to move. STI reports field testing showed it takes roughly 5,000 lbs. of downward force to break the stainless steel clip, and because the action is mechanical rather than weight-dependent, it performs the same for an 80-lb. child as for a 300-lb. adult.

Which riders the Breakaway Stirrup suits

The stirrups were originally created to protect professional rodeo cowboys, but they serve any Western rider who wants insurance against being dragged, from trail riders and ranch hands to parents outfitting a child's saddle. STI offers an Oxbow (the smallest adult size, function over comfort), the popular medium Visalia (its top ladies' choice), the larger easy-on/easy-off Roper, plus Visalia Bell, Roper Bell, Flat Bottom Oxbow, 4-inch and 5-inch Moran, Youth, and Custom styles. Widths run roughly 2 7/8 inches to 3 1/8 inches with bare nylon, leather-stitched, bleached rawhide, or natural rawhide finishes.

What a pair costs and how to order

Pricing is per pair and varies by style and covering: the basic-nylon Oxbow runs $456.30, the Visalia $464.10, and the Roper $495.30, with leather-stitched and rawhide versions of those three at $637.00, $644.80, and $676.00 respectively. Bell and Flat Bottom Oxbow styles range up to $707.85, and fully custom tooled, silver, or tapadero stirrups run from about $585 to $1,105. Shipping is $50.00 per pair. Riders can order online or call the order in by,, or write STI at 2629 Red Bridge Rd., Laurel MT 59044.

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The Solution Section (FAQ)

How did Breakaway Stirrups come to be?

Per Michael J. McCoy, creator of Breakaway Stirrups: "After being in the cattle business all of my life and rodeoing professionally for sixteen years, I've experienced and witnessed a few horse wrecks. I only got dragged once, but I saw a man get drug to death."

The motivation didn't really sink in until Mike's kids started riding. His oldest boy, Willy, had size 11 shoes when he was about 10. Mike made all of his kids split their boots down the back like a bronc rider — but that still wasn't enough. Per Mike: "The idea of a breakaway stirrup finally did come to me, and I know it was a blessing from above. Our number one goal at S.T.I. is to prevent draggings — whether we sell stirrups or not."

Why have draggings always been a danger — and what's the cowboy boot connection?

Per Breakaway Stirrups: "Draggings have plagued horseback riders since the invention of the stirrup." The history:

The cowboy boot was originally designed for dragging prevention — defined heel to keep the foot from slipping through the stirrup; open top so if a rider got hung up, their boot might slip off before they got drug too long
Per the company: many modern versions have a less-defined heel, and some have laces — making it impossible for that boot to slip off in a dragging situation
The six-gun emerged in the west as a tool of the working cowboys — so that in the event of a dragging, they could shoot their horse before they got drug to death (per the company: a common misconception is that working cowboys carried six-guns because they were all gunslingers)

Per Breakaway Stirrups: "Most of the modern riding community has forgotten about the dangers of getting dragged, or just aren't aware of the risks."

Can Breakaway Stirrups help prevent non-dragging head injuries too?

Per Breakaway Stirrups: yes. Many of the really bad buck-offs that result in head injuries come from temporary stirrup hang-ups. The rider didn't necessarily get dragged but got hung up long enough to:

Get spun around
Have their body swung under the horse
Get exposed to the horse's hind legs

Per the company: "When a person gets bucked off hard, but gets out of the stirrups clean, they will generally land hard but probably not on their head, and most likely be able to walk away. If they do get spun around in the stirrup, that's generally where riders land on their head, or get exposed to the hind legs, and get hurt the worst." Breakaway Stirrups can prevent a head injury caused by a temporary hang-up.

How does the breakaway mechanism actually work?

Per Breakaway Stirrups: as a rider falls to the ground, their bottom drops below their heel and their toe comes up — this rotates the stirrup around the stirrup leather, releasing the mechanism.

Two release angles, scientifically predetermined to be reached only in a dragging situation:

72° backward angle — generally activated when a horse falls and a rider's foot goes through the stirrup
45° forward angle — activated if a rider falls off the horse or gets thrown and hangs their foot up

Per the company: in normal riding, a stirrup won't rotate more than ~5°. Even if you're spurring a horse from shoulder to hip with toes out and down, stirrups won't rotate more than ~35°. For the mechanism to release, the rider has to be in a dragging position or in the process of falling off. Whether your foot is all the way through or just your toe is wedged, the stirrup breaks away.

What if I'm thrown over the horse's head — and does it work for kids and lighter riders?

Per Breakaway Stirrups: "You can get thrown over the horse's head, straight in the air, off the back, or out to the side — whether it's the near-side stirrup or the far-side stirrup, the stirrup will always rotate before you hit the end of your stirrup leather."

Lighter riders / kids: the Breakaway Stirrups function the same for an 80 lb child as for a 300 lb adult. The release mechanism is most closely related to that of a ski binding. In field tests it took about 5,000 lbs of downward force to break out the stainless steel stirrup clip. Steel parts are investment-cast stainless steel that maintain 0.01" tolerances — precision common to a pistol, with the strength to withstand the harshest riding conditions.

Why are Breakaway Stirrups a little expensive — and what styles are available?

Per Breakaway Stirrups: "They are expensive to make and to create. But the truth is — Breakaway Stirrups don't cost you money, they SAVE you money. One trip to the hospital will cost you so much more, not to mention if you lost your life."

Posture: safety insurance (tax-deductible to horse businesses) that can save you from terrible injury or death. Many styles to choose from in the company's selection. Pricing as quoted is subject to change due to economic factors and stainless-steel-market conditions — confirm current pricing with Breakaway Stirrups directly when ordering.

What do real riders say — saved-from-dragging stories?

Four voices from the source on real-world saves:

Lana Bain, Puyallup WA (daughter's incident): "Daughter came off safely, got the horse up without it actually rolling over onto the saddle, and we thought nothing more of the incident until she started to get back on and the stirrup was missing on the side she came off of. It gives me chills to think that her foot was in a position to be dragged or else the stirrup would not have released. Thank you. A million times... thank you."

Phil Mueller (chasing a steer downhill): "My right foot got hung up in the stirrup, but about the time I hit the ground the stirrup released and kept me from being drug."

Gary Skluzacek, Lonsdale MN: "As soon as I hit the ground, I knew that my right leg was injured. The horse jumped to his feet and started running off with my foot still in the stirrup. As soon as the horse made his first step to run, the stirrup blew off. That is when I realized that the miracle had happened, the stirrup came off."

Tom Heenan, Tidioute PA (witnessed save): "Last fall we had our first mishap when one of our horses, spooked by wildlife, parted company with his rider. I was directly behind this horse and witnessed your stirrup breaking away even before the rider hit the ground. Other than being a little shaken, the rider was fine... your stirrups, when put to the test, worked as advertised. An occurrence that could have been very serious turned out to be rather uneventful."

How do I order Breakaway Stirrups?

To order: 888-308-0848, email [email protected]. Address: 2629 Red Bridge Road, Laurel, Montana 59044. Per Breakaway Stirrups: "Life doesn't give you notice of an impending danger. Horse riding is one of the most joyful, and dangerous, activities. But you can save yourself a lot of worry and potential injury with your one-time investment." Pricing varies by style; pricing as quoted is subject to change due to economic factors and stainless-steel-market conditions — confirm current pricing with Breakaway Stirrups directly when ordering.

What are Breakaway Stirrups and what do they do?

Breakaway Stirrups are patented Western safety stirrups made by STI (Saddle Technology Incorporated) of Laurel, Montana. They are designed to break away from the saddle the moment a rider is in danger of getting hung up in the stirrup, preventing the rider from being dragged by the horse. Outwardly they look like ordinary high-quality Western stirrups.

Who invented the Breakaway Stirrup?

The Breakaway Stirrup was invented by Michael J. McCoy. He spent his life in the cattle business and rodeoed professionally for sixteen years, experience that taught him firsthand how dangerous a hung-up foot can be in a fall. He developed and patented the breakaway mechanism through his Montana company, STI.

How does the breakaway release mechanism work?

When a rider falls, the seat drops below the heel and the toe rotates upward, turning the stirrup around the stirrup leather and tripping the release. The mechanism lets go at a 72-degree backward angle or a 45-degree forward angle. STI compares the action to a downhill ski binding, holding firm through normal use but releasing cleanly in an emergency.

Will the stirrups release accidentally during hard riding?

No. Normal riding produces only about 5 degrees of stirrup rotation, and even aggressive spurring reaches only about 35 degrees, well short of the release angles. STI states the stirrups do not release during routine, casual, or even very aggressive riding such as barrel racing or roping. They release only when the foot reaches the dangerous 72-degree backward or 45-degree forward angle of a real fall.

What are Breakaway Stirrups made of?

Each stirrup is built around a super-strong reinforced polyurethane nylon core, which also helps protect the leg and foot if a horse falls on the rider. The release mechanism uses investment-cast stainless steel parts machined to .01-inch tolerances. The action is spring-loaded and requires 8 lbs. of torsion pressure to move the springs.

How strong are the stirrups under normal load?

STI reports that field testing showed it takes approximately 5,000 lbs. of downward force to break the stainless steel clip. This means the stirrups bear a rider's full weight without releasing during ordinary use. The breakaway only triggers from the rotational angle of a fall, not from downward weight.

Do the stirrups work differently for children versus adults?

No. Because the mechanism is triggered by the rotational angle of the foot rather than the rider's weight, it performs the same for an 80-lb. child as it does for a 300-lb. adult. This makes the stirrups suitable for outfitting a child's saddle as well as an adult's. The release behavior is consistent regardless of who is riding.

What stirrup styles does STI offer?

STI offers the Oxbow, Visalia, Roper, Visalia Bell, Roper Bell, Flat Bottom Oxbow, 4-inch Moran, 5-inch Moran, Youth, and Custom styles. The Oxbow is the smallest adult stirrup and serves function over comfort, the Visalia is the medium-sized and most popular ladies' stirrup, and the Roper is the largest and easiest to get in and out of. Custom tooled, silver, and tapadero versions are also available.

What covering and finish options are available?

Each standard style can be ordered in bare (basic) nylon, leather-stitched, bleached rawhide, or natural rawhide. The nylon core is the same across coverings, so the choice is mainly about appearance and feel. Widths run roughly 2 7/8 inches to 3 1/8 inches.

How much do Breakaway Stirrups cost?

Pricing is per pair and depends on style and covering. The basic-nylon Oxbow is $456.30, the Visalia $464.10, and the Roper $495.30; leather-stitched and rawhide versions of those styles run $637.00, $644.80, and $676.00 respectively. Bell and Flat Bottom Oxbow styles go up to $707.85.

How much are custom stirrups?

Fully custom stirrups, including floral-tooled, silver-mounted, and tapadero designs, range from about $585 to $1,105 per pair. These are made to order with decorative options beyond the standard nylon, leather, and rawhide coverings. Contact STI directly to discuss a custom build.

What is the shipping cost?

Shipping is $50.00 per pair. Orders can be placed online through the STI website cart or by calling the order in by phone. Pricing and shipping are quoted per pair of stirrups.

What sizes do the stirrups come in?

Standard styles are offered in 2.5-inch and 3-inch options, with Moran styles available in 4-inch and 5-inch sizes, plus a dedicated Youth style. Custom widths run roughly 2 7/8 inches to 3 1/8 inches. The Oxbow is the smallest adult size while the Roper is the largest and easiest to mount and dismount.

Are Breakaway Stirrups proven to prevent draggings?

STI maintains a counter of documented draggings prevented and has gathered testimonials from riders crediting the stirrups with keeping them or their families safe. One customer, L. Bain, reported that a daughter came off safely and the horse was recovered without rolling onto the saddle. Riders such as John Flinchum of Colorado have said they wouldn't ride without STI Breakaway Stirrups.

Who should consider using Breakaway Stirrups?

They were originally created to protect professional rodeo cowboys, but they suit any Western rider who wants protection against being dragged, including trail riders, ranch hands, and parents outfitting a child's saddle. Because the release is weight-independent, they work for riders of any size. They are a fit for anyone who values fall safety without giving up a traditional Western stirrup look.

Is there any maintenance or learning curve to the mechanism?

Yes. STI notes that it is the user's sole responsibility to become familiar with the rotational angles of release, the reloading of the mechanism, and routine maintenance. The mechanism is spring-loaded and reloadable after it releases. Understanding how it trips and resets is part of using the stirrups safely.