Getting It Right: How to Set Up Your Wax Wear Fenders and Stirrups Safely
When it comes to western riding, the details matter, and nowhere is that more true than in how you set up your saddle’s fenders, stirrups, and the hardware that holds it all together. This isn’t just about comfort or aesthetics. Getting this wrong is a genuine safety risk for you and your horse.
A twisted component, an incorrectly positioned buckle, or a missing strap might seem minor at a glance, but in the saddle, these small oversights can cause your horse discomfort, affect your balance, or, in a worst-case scenario, leave you with a loose stirrup mid-ride. At Contour Saddlery, we believe that great riding starts with great preparation, and that means knowing your equipment inside and out before you ever put your foot in the stirrup.
Whether you’re new to western riding or a seasoned rider who’s never had anyone walk you through the finer points, this guide is for you.
Watch First: Learn From the Experts
Before we dive into the details, we want you to watch this tutorial with Letitia Glenn, founder of Contour Saddlery, who walks you through the correct way to assemble your stirrups on your Contour Saddlery Saddle with wax wear fenders.
In this video, you’ll learn:
- ✅ How to correctly assemble your stirrups on your wax wear fenders so everything sits properly and moves with you
- ✅ What a Blevins Buckle is and why it’s the key to adjusting your fender length for the perfect fit
- ✅Â Why the Blevins Buckle must lie flat against your horse’s side, and the real danger of leaving it twisted
- ✅ The role of the hobble strap and why correct placement is a critical safety step every rider needs to know
- ✅ How the hobble strap acts as a failsafe, keeping your stirrup secure even if your Blevins Buckle were to give way
Take the time to watch it through – it’s the kind of knowledge that could make a real difference on the trail or in the arena.
What Are Wax Wear Fenders?
Our wax wear fenders are made from a durable, high-quality wax canvas-type material, not leather. This gives them excellent weather resistance and suppleness, making them ideal for riders who are out in all conditions. They connect your stirrups to the saddle tree and play a central role in how your leg sits and moves with your horse.
Because they’re designed to flex and move, they must be assembled correctly from the start. No twists, no misaligned hardware, and no shortcuts.
The Blevins Buckle: What It Is and Why It Matters
The Blevins Buckle is the sliding metal buckle system on your western saddle that allows you to adjust the length of your fenders, and therefore the height of your stirrups. It’s a simple but ingenious piece of hardware that makes it easy to customise your ride for comfort and correct leg position.
However, it comes with an important safety responsibility:
⚠️Â If your Blevins Buckle is twisted, it can dig into your horse’s side, causing pain, irritation, and potentially dangerous behaviour.
Always check that the buckle lies completely flat against your horse before mounting. It should sit parallel to the horse’s body with no protruding edges. This is one of those checks that takes seconds but matters enormously.
The Hobble Strap: Your Safety Net
The hobble strap is a small strap, often overlooked, that wraps around the fender and stirrup to keep everything connected and secure. Think of it as your failsafe.
Its job is twofold:
- To keep your stirrup and fender neatly together during normal riding, preventing unnecessary swing or movement
- To retain your stirrup in the event your Blevins Buckle fails, so it doesn’t drop away and spook your horse or compromise your safety
Making sure the hobble strap is looped around the correct components is just as important as having it there at all. Watch Letitia’s video above for a clear visual guide on correct placement.
Ride With Confidence
At Contour Saddlery, we know that horses change shape and size as they move, and that’s why our saddles are designed to be generous, supportive, and adaptable to your horse’s unique conformation. But even the best saddle needs to be set up correctly to perform at its best.
Take the time to get these details right. Your horse will thank you, and so will your peace of mind.
👉 Want to learn more or explore our range? Visit us at www.contoursaddlery.com, and if you’d like to experience the Contour difference for yourself, ask us about a test ride on our range of western saddles.