Exercises to improve my leg position?

[ecrozier]

Right, I've decided I need to crack this dressage lark, as having fixed my horse's issues over the last few years, now he is better than me and I'm holding him back!!
I have now purchased myself a dressage saddle

and got my OH to video me riding in it last night. I think I need to shorten my stirrups for a start as I'm sort of reaching for the stirrups a bit, if that makes sense? And my legs seem to flap a bit - not massively but I can notice it....
But also the biggest thing I can see wrong is that my leg is too far forward. I know this is a problem, and something I am trying to work on, but are there any tips/advice/exercises you have found work? I do have lessons with a good instructor (listed judge) unfortunately time constraints/lack of a school mean they are more like twice a month than more regularly than that!
Funnily enough I don't seem to do it so much when jumping, probably becuse I get into a more forward seat and therefore my leg comes back more easily if that makes sense?
I am moving yards in a while, and will have a school then, so will be able to do things like more work without stirrups (scary in a 10 acre hayfield on a slightly flighty arab!) and getting someone to lunge him with me on board, as there will be other horsey people around!
But any suggestions for in the meantime?

 

[ballvicki]

Hello I would be really interested in hearing any responses too!! I have a big wide barreled cob, and am a bit stiff in my hips, so my leg has a tendancy to shoot forward a bit too.

the only the things I have tried which have helped me a bit is:

1. Riding without stirrrups in walk for the first 10 minutes of my hack (I too don't have my own school so have to make do, as it would bankrupt me to hire it more that twice a week!)

2. Saw some excersises in a horsie magazine that use one of those pilates balls? I have been doing them for a week, half an hour in the evening, and it has deffinately improved my stomach muscles and made my legs stronger? Sorry I can't remember which magazine it was (not very helpful)

 

[not_with_it]

It sounds as though you need to open your hip joint more so that your leg can hang underneath you. It sounds as though you are doing the right thing by shortening your stirrups if your lower leg isnt secure. Do lots of rising trot, rising for 2 and sitting for one, this will only be possible if your balanced and have your legs underneath you. Work without stirrups but make sure you dont grip with your thigh or that defeats the object. When you push your weight into your heal do it by pushing your knee down and stretching your thigh, this way your lower leg is less likely to slide forward.

Hope that helps

 

[DalesBeauty]

It was the last issue of Your Horse - I saw it too. Interested to hear it helps as I've got a wide cob too. Might have to buy one of the gym balls then. I've also read about Yoga / Pilates helping. There are books you can get specailising in yoga / piltes for riding.

 

[HenryandPeta]

Yes, open your hip, open your knees, tuck your butt underneath you and RELAX!! Sounds oh so simple doesn't it?!

If you feel like it, try no stirrups, but rising trot - it will really strengthen your lower leg and make you rise from your hips rather than the ball of your foot.

 

[ecrozier]

Think my problem is similar as although my horse is an arab, he is in a wide to xw saddle. Don't seem to do it on my much finer WB, although think that is partly to do with her being much more lazy and therefore my leg s on her side the whole time to keep her moving forward!
Will have to go see if I can get that copy of Horse at lunchtime...
Thanks for ideas guys, think it is just a case of being aware of it the whole time isn't it