An average of 20 deaths and 3,000 serious injuries occur each year in Australia as a result of horse riding accidents. One of the most dangerous of these horse-related incidents is when a rider falls, catches a foot in a stirrup iron, and is dragged or ‘hung up’ behind the horse. The good news is that a new product called ‘Toe Stoppers’ has been developed to prevent this type of accident from happening.
Award winning design
Toe Stoppers are closed-toe, boot ‘sleeves’ made of lightweight rubber and Velcro, which fit into the stirrup irons. They are designed to stop riders from being hooked up in a stirrup iron and dragged. This product was developed by Adrian Morgante, a retired jockey based in Queensland. It has won three prestigious awards, including the International Gold Medal for the best sport and leisure invention for 2002; the Yellow Pages Best Invention and Business Idea competition in August 2001; and an International Gold Medal for 2002 at the Big Invention Show in Pittsburgh, USA.
Toe Stoppers may soon become widely accepted as a teaching and safety aid for riding disciplines of all kinds. They have been approved for track work within the racing industry nationally, and for race riding within Queensland.
Racing accident
Don asked Simon Mills, a former jockey with over 600 professional rides, for his opinion of Toe Stoppers. In 1992, Simon was injured in an horrific accident during the ‘Great Eastern Steeple’, a feature steeplechase held every Easter in South Australia. Simon was second from the lead when he became unbalanced, fell, and was hung up. He was dragged for around 100 metres along the track and even over a jump, before his foot was finally dislodged. Simon was very impressed with Toe Stoppers. He felt that they would keep the foot in the correct safety position, balanced on the ball of the foot.
Cost and availability
Toe Stoppers are made in 7 sizes, from kids to extra large. They are available from saddleries nationally, and cost $89.95. Phone Saddlery Trading Co on 1800 777 249 for details of your nearest supplier.
For further information visit the Toe Stoppers website: www.toestoppers.com