Ankle pain/discomfort when riding with shorter stirrups?

[MuddyMonster]

I’ve recently started jumping, after a pretty lengthy break and have been experiencing pain/discomfort in one ankle when I put my stirrups up. It’s initially quite a sharp pain but then just dulls to discomfort – or I’m just busy concentrating on staying on

On the flat, I ride longer (not ridiculously so) but there is a 2-3 hole difference between my flat length and my jumping length, but I do go up a hole for hacking, normally.

Is this ankle pain ‘normal’ after such a break of riding with shorter stirrups – it’s been a good number of years since jumping! If so, is it just a case of the more I do it, the easier it becomes, or are there specific exercises I can do to help? Or is it something I should be wary of and get seen by a professional before it becomes an issue? I'm actually really enjoying my jumping (words I thought I'd never say ...!) so would hate to have to stop because of it.

 

[Red-1]

As with any exercise that you are not familiar with, it can cause discomfort.

I get fit for that just as I would anything else, start with a few minutes and work up from there. Even a few hundred yards at trot on a hack with shorter stirrups can help. Even a walk out will help stretch the area, but strength will only come if you stand and stay standing at trot or canter.

 

[Ella19]

You're probably ramming your heels down. If you have mirrors have a look and if so work on lifting your heel. Are you on a whizzy jumper? I find I do this when I brace against a whizzy horse. The other thing I've found is I'm now suffering from plantar fasciitis and do wonder if my ankles were the first sign. I have insoles in my boots now and that has helped me not to roll in. The pain I was getting was down the outside of the ankle and I think that was from rolling in and heels too far down.