Achy legs with short stirrups? (Pics)

[Starbucks]

So I posted a video of me XC a couple of years ago and got a fairly large amount of criticism! One of which my stirrups weren’t short enough. They are pretty short now I think? But my legs really ache!! I’m quite fit as well, run etc. What exercises are good to stop the aching?

 

[Red-1]

I used to hitch them up a few times a week and simply practice. I don't mean necessarily at canter either, going round an arena at trot, or up a hill at trot, is also good. I made sure I could do 2 us and 2 downs, 2 ups and 2 downs instead of up-down rising trot. Then 3 ups and 3 downs. 5 ups and 5 downs etc.

Then make sure you can be up and forward, change to standing body upright, back to up and forward, all without your backside touching the saddle.

This can then be forwarded to rising canter, up down up down, then repeat the other exercises. Right up util you can do a circuit of the school in forward or standing canter.

Hills are good practice too, practice altering the balance on up and downhill stretches so your backside doesn't have to hit the saddle.

When I was doing teaching, riders had to master this before even jumping a X pole. If you can't be in charge of whether you are up or down, or indeed forward or upright, how on earth can you be on control over a jump?

 

[Starbucks]

I am in control just my legs ache after a few minutes. I guess just practice then. Thing with riding it does seem to use different muscles to everything else!

 

[Foxglove]

I would say squat holds, wall sits and pulsing squats will be your friends!

 

[mini_b]

I used to hitch them up a few times a week and simply practice. I don't mean necessarily at canter either, going round an arena at trot, or up a hill at trot, is also good. I made sure I could do 2 us and 2 downs, 2 ups and 2 downs instead of up-down rising trot. Then 3 ups and 3 downs. 5 ups and 5 downs etc.

Then make sure you can be up and forward, change to standing body upright, back to up and forward, all without your backside touching the saddle.

This can then be forwarded to rising canter, up down up down, then repeat the other exercises. Right up util you can do a circuit of the school in forward or standing canter.

Hills are good practice too, practice altering the balance on up and downhill stretches so your backside doesn't have to hit the saddle.

When I was doing teaching, riders had to master this before even jumping a X pole. If you can't be in charge of whether you are up or down, or indeed forward or upright, how on earth can you be on control over a jump?

i often do the 2 rise 2 sit for a bit but going to make sure I can still definitely do 3, 4 etc

 

[Goldenstar]

When I was competing I used to hack with very short stirrups and spend a good bit of the time up off the back working on getting a good stable lower leg .
i would try it .
yes it will get better .
Do do you have pain in your extensor muscles if so you are doing it right !