Glad to hear Misty doing better. My trainer always on my case because I don't put my feet far enough in the stirrups caz I want to be able to get them out if needed. I had to quit wearing tennis shoes but I hate boots. I feel like I want to rip them off. I have some riding ,hiking looking ankle boots but I'm going to have to look at what hair said but they are designed for riding. Anyway, she told me to get break aways if I was going to be thinking about it. I don't know the price or what you paid for your saddle but she told me they weren't expensive.
I bought a Buffalo roping saddle for $265, and the stirrups that I saw were over $300 a pair.