Ever Wondered What a Monel Stirrup Is?

If you’ve shopped for saddles, you’ve probably heard of Monel stirrups. Have you ever wondered what the heck a Monel is? Is it a brand name? Does it describe a certain type or style or shape of stirrup?

Monel is actually a trademarked brand name for a stainless steel alloy. The alloy, a combination of nickel, copper, and iron, was created in 1901 by INCO, Ltd., a Canadian mining and metals company. The metal was named for the company’s then president, Ambrose Monel.

Monel is used in quite a few products including kitchen sinks, musical instruments, and, most importantly, western stirrups.

Monel is the name given to western stirrups, usually made from bent wood, that are bound with stainless steel. Monel stirrups can be a variety of types. You’ll commonly see Oxbow Monels, Visalia Monels, and Bell Bottom Monels.

In the photo above you can see a nice example of a Visalia Monel stirrup from Big Bend Saddlery. You can also read more about western stirrups on the Western Saddle Guide website.

Another western saddle riddle solved.