Cannot keep my R heel down, ideas please?

[KEK]

Hi,
I am majorly struggling with keeping my right heel down when riding, mostly in canter but also somewhat in trot. My L heel/foot are stable in the stirrup and don't move. My right toe keeps going down and through the stirrup, and my stirrup leather feels much longer (its not). The saddle can sometimes slip a bit to the R (no wither pony). My instructor doesn't know why it's happening and has told me I might need another opinion. I should have got vid of me riding, but was wondering if anyone had any thoughts? He is in a cavaletti jump saddle with a string girth. She rides him regularly and the saddle is fine. Also struggling ++++ with getting L canter lead on him (again he is perfect with her so it's a me issue).
Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[Maddie Moo]

Are you sitting straight? It sounds a bit like you might be leaning to one side, hence why the stirrup feels longer when it’s not, as you’re stretching to reach for it.

I had a similar thing after I injured my back, I was leaning to the left to compensate for my right back pain.

Maybe ask your instructor to watch you ride from the back to see if you’re leaning?

 

[Tiddlypom]

A session on a mechanical horse in your own saddle with a biomechanics trainer could be very useful for this sort of issue.

 

[KEK]

Are you sitting straight? It sounds a bit like you might be leaning to one side, hence why the stirrup feels longer when it’s not, as you’re stretching to reach for it.

I had a similar thing after I injured my back, I was leaning to the left to compensate for my right back pain.

Maybe ask your instructor to watch you ride from the back to see if you’re leaning?

Thanks! I am very RHS dominant so maybe. I will get her to look.

 

[KEK]

A session on a mechanical horse in your own saddle with a biomechanics trainer could be very useful for this sort of isdue.

Thanks. Yes, I agree, I have searched to see if we have any in Perth and it looks like only at one of the RDA centres which is not applicable to me.

 

[Meredith]

This may be useful to you.
My left leg is dominant and I block my pony from cantering on the left leg. My right leg shortens and I am then unlevel.
My instructors are working on getting me to lengthen my right leg, sit straight, keep the pressure from each leg identical and keep the weight in my stirrups even.
It is hard work and progress seems slow but I can see and feel my pony is more forward and moving straighter.

Thanks. Yes, I agree, I have searched to see if we have any in Perth and it looks like only at one of the RDA centres which is not applicable to me.

Our RDA centre lets instructors hire time on the mechanical horse for lessons.

 

[SEL]

You'll be twisting somewhere higher. Took an instructor with a very good eye to spot that my left leg issue came from my left shoulder dropping (old injury)

 

[Kunoichi73]

I have a similar problem with my left leg. I've recently had a full body movement assessment from a physio who has picked up a number of issues, including slight scoliosis, which probably stem from surgery I had as a baby.

It might be worth seeing a physio or kinesiologist for an assessment. I'm also intending to have a few sessions on a mechanical horse at some point.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Second recommendation for physio visit, particularly one familiar with horse riding if you can find one. I took feedback from my lessons to my physio, she identified areas of weakness, gave exercises and the difference was noticeable within a couple of weeks. Still a work in progress on my weaker side but so much better overall.

 

[KEK]

This may be useful to you.
My left leg is dominant and I block my pony from cantering on the left leg. My right leg shortens and I am then unlevel.
My instructors are working on getting me to lengthen my right leg, sit straight, keep the pressure from each leg identical and keep the weight in my stirrups even.
It is hard work and progress seems slow but I can see and feel my pony is more forward and moving straighter.



Our RDA centre lets instructors hire time on the mechanical horse for lessons.

Yes this sounds very possible! How did your instructor help? Anything specific or just being aware?

 

[KEK]

I have a similar problem with my left leg. I've recently had a full body movement assessment from a physio who has picked up a number of issues, including slight scoliosis, which probably stem from surgery I had as a baby.

It might be worth seeing a physio or kinesiologist for an assessment. I'm also intending to have a few sessions on a mechanical horse at some point.

I see an osteopath regularly and he hasnt mentioned anything. I will look and see if we have any riding physios here.

 

[SEL]

This may be useful to you.
My left leg is dominant and I block my pony from cantering on the left leg. My right leg shortens and I am then unlevel.
My instructors are working on getting me to lengthen my right leg, sit straight, keep the pressure from each leg identical and keep the weight in my stirrups even.
It is hard work and progress seems slow but I can see and feel my pony is more forward and moving straighter.



Our RDA centre lets instructors hire time on the mechanical horse for lessons.

I am your exact opposite! In photos I can look like I'm a hole short on my left leg.

It took a very good physio and a very good saddle fitter (who rode to GP in her youth) to pinpoint the issue and it was nowhere near my leg.

Sorting it is a whole different challenge.

 

[sbloom]

It could be coming from anywhere in your body, and the asymmetry is then allowing the horse to roll you and the saddle. You have to look at horse-saddle-rider as each affects the other.

It may be that your saddle actually suits your trainers pelvis better than your own, the gold standard is a saddle that fits your pelvis, sitting you in neutral at rest,no pain or tension, but allows you to move a little. This makes you more stable and helps reduce the rotation you're feeling in your horses ribcage. So do consider saddle as part of the issue.

It may be worth seeing a different bodyworker though I generally like osteos, and then it's worth having an assessment with an off horse specialist, I don't yet know any that work similarlty in Scotland but recommend my customers to either Equimech in NI or Pilates at Blue House in Billingham, both online.

Thanks. Yes, I agree, I have searched to see if we have any in Perth and it looks like only at one of the RDA centres which is not applicable to me.

Most will hire out to others, they're not cheap machines as you can imagine

 

[Meredith]

Yes this sounds very possible! How did your instructor help? Anything specific or just being aware?

It is a work in progress and so far has involved shoulders, hips, elbows, seat bones and other parts I’ve forgotten!
When I remember and manage to do some of it I can feel it’s better and my pony moves easier and seemingly happier. It is difficult both not to do the old ‘wrong’ position and remembering all the new bits.

 

[Meredith]

I am your exact opposite! In photos I can look like I'm a hole short on my left leg.

It took a very good physio and a very good saddle fitter (who rode to GP in her youth) to pinpoint the issue and it was nowhere near my leg.

Sorting it is a whole different challenge.

Apologies OP for asking a question on you thread but hopefully it will help you too.

Where was the main issue @SEL ? ( if you don’t mind saying)

My osteo is working on my left hip but it so far hasn’t made much difference. My instructor is taking a more whole body view. Each lesson seems to add something else I need to use or place differently.

My new saddle bought last month isn’t perfect as F is a round barrelled, narrow shouldered mature Connemara with the beginnings of a wither and saddle fitting has been a nightmare but already I feel better balanced and F is moving more freely.

 

[Bernster]

Yeah tough one to figure out online but they’ll be some asymmetry, tension, twisting or weight going on higher up. For me it’s my left leg, my heel pops up when I’m trying to use that leg. I have to work on lightening the leg, relaxing the ankle, and lengthening the leg which helps. I also do off horse stretches and get regular physio for me and the horses.

 

[KEK]

It could be coming from anywhere in your body, and the asymmetry is then allowing the horse to roll you and the saddle. You have to look at horse-saddle-rider as each affects the other.

It may be that your saddle actually suits your trainers pelvis better than your own, the gold standard is a saddle that fits your pelvis, sitting you in neutral at rest,no pain or tension, but allows you to move a little. This makes you more stable and helps reduce the rotation you're feeling in your horses ribcage. So do consider saddle as part of the issue.

It may be worth seeing a different bodyworker though I generally like osteos, and then it's worth having an assessment with an off horse specialist, I don't yet know any that work similarlty in Scotland but recommend my customers to either Equimech in NI or Pilates at Blue House in Billingham, both online.


Most will hire out to others, they're not cheap machines as you can imagine

Thanks! I'm unfortunately in Perth Australia not Perth Scotland but I will have a look to see if we have any of them. I was thinking of getting the saddle fitter back out. I didn't have any choice of a jump saddle as there is not a lot that fits him here.

 

[Meredith]

@KEK have sent PM

 

[sbloom]

Yeah tough one to figure out online but they’ll be some asymmetry, tension, twisting or weight going on higher up. For me it’s my left leg, my heel pops up when I’m trying to use that leg. I have to work on lightening the leg, relaxing the ankle, and lengthening the leg which helps. I also do off horse stretches and get regular physio for me and the horses.

The trainers that do work online will have test exercises that essentially do the diagnostics, it can work very well.

Thanks! I'm unfortunately in Perth Australia not Perth Scotland but I will have a look to see if we have any of them. I was thinking of getting the saddle fitter back out. I didn't have any choice of a jump saddle as there is not a lot that fits him here.

If you get stuck I have a couple of contacts in Oz who might be able to help you remotely.

 

[KEK]

The trainers that do work online will have test exercises that essentially do the diagnostics, it can work very well.



If you get stuck I have a couple of contacts in Oz who might be able to help you remotely.

I would love your contacts, please!

 

[SEL]

Apologies OP for asking a question on you thread but hopefully it will help you too.

Where was the main issue @SEL ? ( if you don’t mind saying)

My osteo is working on my left hip but it so far hasn’t made much difference. My instructor is taking a more whole body view. Each lesson seems to add something else I need to use or place differently.

My new saddle bought last month isn’t perfect as F is a round barrelled, narrow shouldered mature Connemara with the beginnings of a wither and saddle fitting has been a nightmare but already I feel better balanced and F is moving more freely.

It's my shoulder!

I had a horse come over on me 25 years ago and a&e at the time confirmed it wasn't broken but thought ligament damage. Unfortunately I had no follow up and I'm not sure I knew what a physio was. If you look at my collar bone one side is higher than the other and a chiro I saw recently told me my first rib was jammed upwards.

That disfunction has caused me jaw, hip and knee problems for 25 years.... I had biomechanics lessons with a RWYM instructor a few years back but I literally couldn't shift into the position she wanted.

My saddle fitter told me to ride leg yield on the left rein and then I was putting my body into the correct place (for straightness). So for me to ride straight I need to think leg yield.

 

[sbloom]

One of the most common adjustments I make with riders is to slide the ribcage across to the side the saddle slips away from, especially when shifting means shifting to the inside eg SO many riders shorten on the left side and worse on the left rein. Saddle slips right. Most riders have collapsed their ribcage on that side, so sliding it back towards the inside of the circle, getting it over the hip, and a bit of a feel of taking that hip then over the left knee, helps a lot of riders. Take care to keep the shoulders level and be aware it would be possible to do this wrong, so best to try it with a good trainer and ideally mirrors. Obviously you can practice it on a mechanical horse but there's no centrifugal force to test it.

 

[KEK]

One of the most common adjustments I make with riders is to slide the ribcage across to the side the saddle slips away from, especially when shifting means shifting to the inside eg SO many riders shorten on the left side and worse on the left rein. Saddle slips right. Most riders have collapsed their ribcage on that side, so sliding it back towards the inside of the circle, getting it over the hip, and a bit of a feel of taking that hip then over the left knee, helps a lot of riders. Take care to keep the shoulders level and be aware it would be possible to do this wrong, so best to try it with a good trainer and ideally mirrors. Obviously you can practice it on a mechanical horse but there's no centrifugal force to test it.

Thanks! Will give it a try and am going to send my instructor this thread.

 

[Meredith]

It's my shoulder!

I had a horse come over on me 25 years ago and a&e at the time confirmed it wasn't broken but thought ligament damage. Unfortunately I had no follow up and I'm not sure I knew what a physio was. If you look at my collar bone one side is higher than the other and a chiro I saw recently told me my first rib was jammed upwards.

That disfunction has caused me jaw, hip and knee problems for 25 years.... I had biomechanics lessons with a RWYM instructor a few years back but I literally couldn't shift into the position she wanted.

My saddle fitter told me to ride leg yield on the left rein and then I was putting my body into the correct place (for straightness). So for me to ride straight I need to think leg yield.

This is most interesting.
You shorten the left leg. I shorten the right.

I damaged my right shoulder badly about 20 years ago. I have never known such pain. There was a chip out of the humerus caught under the edge of the collar bone. The consultant said no operation because it would cause more damage than would be corrected. I could not lift my arm for many months. After lots of physio I have the front lump, for want of a better description, of my right shoulder much larger than the left. I carried my right shoulder higher in case it was knocked and caused pain.

Which shoulder did you damage?

 

[Breather]

Hi,
I am majorly struggling with keeping my right heel down when riding, mostly in canter but also somewhat in trot. My L heel/foot are stable in the stirrup and don't move. My right toe keeps going down and through the stirrup, and my stirrup leather feels much longer (its not). The saddle can sometimes slip a bit to the R (no wither pony). My instructor doesn't know why it's happening and has told me I might need another opinion. I should have got vid of me riding, but was wondering if anyone had any thoughts? He is in a cavaletti jump saddle with a string girth. She rides him regularly and the saddle is fine. Also struggling ++++ with getting L canter lead on him (again he is perfect with her so it's a me issue).
Thanks in advance for any help!

A good place to start is noticing how you stand on the ground. Is your weight shared evenly down each leg? Keep noticing all day, eg when washing up, standing in a supermarket queue.
Is the weight spread evenly across each foot?
When you sit on a chair, or in the car, notice whether you're sat symmetrically, weight spread evenly.

Notice and correct accordingly.

Get a couple of bodywork sessions in to help straighten you out and get both sides of your body doing the same thing. Chiropractor, Bowen Therapy, physiotherapy?
Whatever suits you best.

Doing all the above will save you time, effort and frustration when trying to correct the issue with your right foot/leg while riding.

 

[KEK]

A good place to start is noticing how you stand on the ground. Is your weight shared evenly down each leg? Keep noticing all day, eg when washing up, standing in a supermarket queue.
Is the weight spread evenly across each foot?
When you sit on a chair, or in the car, notice whether you're sat symmetrically, weight spread evenly.

Notice and correct accordingly.

Get a couple of bodywork sessions in to help straighten you out and get both sides of your body doing the same thing. Chiropractor, Bowen Therapy, physiotherapy?
Whatever suits you best.

Doing all the above will save you time, effort and frustration when trying to correct the issue with your right foot/leg while riding.

Good points, will do!