Exercises To stabilise lower leg

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Dizzydancer

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Looking for exercises to help strengthen and stabilise my lower leg- it keeps sliding backwards!! I think some of the issue is tight hips also.
Any suggestions please? Either in or out of the saddle
 
Flatwork or when jumping?

It's worth finding out why your hips are tight though, whether it's a bone/muscle issue or tension? Tension in your hips directly impacts on the looseness of your lower leg. The looser you are at the top, the more secure your lower leg will be. So for that, lots of no stirrup work and absorbing the movement. As you free up, you'll have more control over your lower leg and where it sits. Make sure you're riding at the right length too.

Once you've loosened up, lots of right seat work in both trot and canter, with weight into heels.


Re off the horse, depends where you're tight. I'm having to do a good twenty minutes of stretches before I ride at the moment where I'm pulling all sorts of shapes!
 
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Thanks- it's mainly flatwork but have noticed it jumping also I have had 8months out of saddle tho which has been the biggest issue I think, had injured horse but now have new horse so started riding again properly and keep nagging her as can't keep my lower leg still!
 
Try Core Connection for Horse anx Rider by Lindsay Wilcox Reid - there are lots of exercises which really helped me as I have similar issues. Which reminds me, shoulddust it off and pick up again as I've let things slide....!
 
Are you sitting upright? If you tilt forward your legs will go back. Tilt backward, legs go forward.

My legs have a problem of going backwards but it is because I am not sitting upright. Have a tendency to lean forward which pushes my legs back. If I sit upright they go back to normal.
 
Cortez said:
Rising trot WITHOUT stirrups. Cures EVERYTHING...........
Click to expand...

Including being pain free haha?! Seriously, I can just about flop about it sitting trot, rising would be hilarious. I'm a glutton for punishment though, and have the same issues as the OP, will def try this next time!

OP in my case I think it is tight hips and tippng forward slightly. Haven't cracked it but am working on no stirrups, trying to be looser in my body, and hip stretches off the horse.
 
Cortez said:
Rising trot WITHOUT stirrups. Cures EVERYTHING...........
Click to expand...

Learning to ride in the 80s, my instructor was a stickler for no stirrup work and I remember rising without stirrup lessons very well! Fortunately I developed quite a core and found it not too much bother, but there would be people slipping off horses left, right and centre when their legs finally gave up. I can still remember the 'thud' and then the instructor remarking, "and there goes another one.."

If nothing else, I have a lower leg like the Terminator as a result!
 
Thanks for the tips! Not sure I'll brave no stirrups for a few
Weeks yet as brand new horse and she can be very quick if she gets spooked, once she is settled tho will defo do this.
 
I have the same problem and find yoga helps and I have some specific hip exercises from my physio. If you google hip exercises things like bridge, knee drops and quad stretches can help. I use You Tube for yoga sessions.
I also have a spooky horse so not comfortable riding without stirrups so I stop often during my ride and drop my feet out then to stretch my hips for a couple of minutes.
 
Hey, I would definitely try some no stirrup work, helps a lot to stabilise your lower legs and put you in a better seating position.
 
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