Help needed with my leg position

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SAL66

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I have been riding for a lond time , then had a 5 year break and the last 6 months or so and some private lessons and bought a lovely horse, my problem is my right leg, no matter how hard I try I cannot seem to keep the weight in my heel, the left is fine, its just my right.

I had a lesson last night and my right leg & foot position was awful, my foot seems to go through the stirupp and moves like a blooming jelly, I'm wondering if the problem stems from my hip as I am a mature rider and not as fit as I have been.

is there anything that I can do to try and correct this frustrating problem.

Thanks
 
Dont try and keep the weight in your heel as this will push your lower leg forward. You want the weight directly down onto the stirrup through the ball of the foot. This gives your foot security in the stirrup.
It may be that you need to bring your leg back a fraction to get the right feel. Make sure it's the inside of your calf that lies against the horse, not the back.
 
I know when I have got it right , but I can't seem to keep the ball of my foot on the stirupp, ( hope that makes sense), my foot seems to go through the stirupp and I struggle to get my ball back on, its so frustrating because I know I can do it albeit for only a short time.

But thanks for your comments Bossanova as I have do try and focus on my heels rather than the ball of my foot, I will try that later and see how it goes.
 
I have a similar problem, my right leg creeps up and turns outwards. I think a lot of the problem though is not in my leg at all but in my hips as I collapse a bit to the left through my hip and ribs as I'm weaker this side. So you may be right in your analysis! I try and think about keeping my weight on the inside seatbone when going to the right which helps a bit, also i try and keep the inside of my calf and thigh against the horse as it's much more difficult to draw the leg up that way.
But it is hard! My chiropractor has recommended stretching and strengthening exercises to get me more even and also suggests swimming as being really helpful for all round suppleness, evenness and strength (not that I ever get time to go!)
 
Thanks donadea, I do think it stems with my hip rather than my foot, I will try stretching , but like you , with kids and horses and oh , no time for swimming.!
 
ah hang on - you posted in new lounge too didn't you?! thought i was going mad as my post didn't appear - so you've basically got the same thing in there now!! sorry!
as said there, go see the chiro
smile.gif
 
Yes I cheated, I saw that there was alot more people on the new lounge so thought I would chance my arm on there, cos I'm desperate to sort this B problem out!!!
 
hmm that's an idea, , I gues its just practice practice, practice, either that or I will tie my foot in the right position (only joking, )
 
Try taking your stirrups off the saddle & compare them with each other...you might find that one has stretched so you're actually trying to ride with them different lengths.

Get someone to video you riding from all angles, then you'll be able to see if you're sitting square.

I had the identical prob to you & found I was riding with odd stirrups. I also sit to the left cos my right ankle is stiff from a riding accident. When I got my WOW, the fitter deflated the right side a tiny fraction to make me sit square, & the prob has evaporated. As has my horse's crookedness!

Hope you get it sorted!
 
Thanks catembi, riding without stirupps i think is the way forward, good idea about the video, hadn't thought about that one!
 
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