Can't keep my heels down!

T

thorney84

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This is really annoying me as i have to wear high heels at work and this does'nt make it easy for me to keep my heels down when i'm riding, and when i canter my leg goes back. Might have to break the rules and wear flats. Any one else have the same problem? x x x
 
thts one thing im actually good at when riding cause the yard i was at when i was younger, the owners pet hate was not having heels down. so every time he noticed he would come across and re adjust our feet he he!! so kinda stuck
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i was always used as the example for it cause i got so good he he!!!! i was so chuffed with myself :P

are ur stirrups the right length?
 
Try flexi stirrups or Sprengers - they do make it easier! I know what you mean about high heels - they play havoc witth the muscles and tendons in your legs. I have a friend who can't wear flats for very long as it makes her legs ache.
 
Yeah ive had them long and short. I know i do have tight calf muscles as i wear heels but i think i'm gonna have to change that! I just look silly when i canter coz my leg goes back coz my heels wer'nt down, then i start gripping with my leg and that causes me to bounce like a crazy loon in the saddle....bad times! x x x
 
spend 2 weeks riding with short stirrups in jumping position - works a treat, friend had awful heels she did this (trotting hacking out hacking constantly on knees) for 2 weeks and her heels are fab now!
 
try taking your knees off the saddle - bring them a couple of inches out, away from the knee roll - when they're there, you can't bring your heels up & makes you put your lower leg against the horse.

Think of using the muscles down the back of your leg to push them down, rather than the ones on the top/front of your legs pulling them up......

Also, make sure that your shoulders are not tipping forward - that'll bring your heels up every time!
 
Also if im trying to constantley push my heels down too much won't that slow the horse down or down to trot from canter say? I think a calf transplant might be the only way forward! x x
 
I have this problem when I'm on a less than forward going horse, especially if I'm in short boots for some reason. I had a lesson yesterday where she had us standing up in the stirrups (not leaning forwards) and thinking about dropping our heels in walk and trot. It really helped to get the feel of stretching those muscles along the back of your legs as well as training you to keep your lower leg steady.

And no, it doesn't slow the horse down. It means you can use your seat more to push them forwards!

ETS: Standing up in the stirrups, not in the saddle. That would be a bit too hard!!
 
Hello,
Heels up and drawing legs back in canter are only symptoms of tension in your base of support (i.e. pelvis & hip joints).

Ask your instructor to give you exercises (ideally on the lunge and if you have a suitable horse - bareback) which will help you to relax in the hips (hip joints specifically) and lower back so you can learn to absorb the horse's movement without unnecessary tension.
Observe how the horse's muscles move when you lunge or watch horses in the field. try to notice how the hind legs move the back muscles in trot an canter and ask your instructor to show/explain how the pelvis and upper body have to move in order to absorb those muscle movements.
Once your hips can absorb the bounce of trot and canter you will be able to drop your entire leg down and rest your feet in the stirrups with relaxed bouncing ankle.

On a separate note: Pilates is great for stretching contracted muscles which helps improving rider's position enormously.

Good luck
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Forget about keeping your heels down, it will only encourage you to brace the leg forward. Think instead of keeping your toes up. You get exactly the same effect.
 
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