Help- tendency to tip forwards and heels up!

J

JessPickle

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When riding I seem to always have a constant battle with getting my heel down, I keep trying but really struggle
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I have now also got into a habit of tipping forward, when I was younger I used to lean way too back and then over corrected myself and went the opposite way
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Here is a picture that illustrates the problem

pickleoutline1.jpg
 
Lots and lots of work without stirrups

Or even bareback? I'm guessing that Pickle is quite comfy bareback? There's nothing like cantering bareback to teach you to relax your lower leg
 
I used to hav just the same problem as u, the reason u r tipping forward is because ur weight isnt down in ur heals, I found working with out strips is best for it. Many people don't like working without strips but I find it really benefits me, just when Im warming up I do 5 mins on each rein in trot and that normal sorts me out.

Hope this helps and good luck!
 
I do that and was told by my RI that my stirrups were too long. It really worked but it was odd because tjhey felt really comfy long but when I put them up my position really improved
 
Have to agree you look like you are reaching for the stirups slightly maybe go up a hole...? Then when you have done lots of work without stirrups and your lower leg is more relaxed then maybe go back down again.
 
I wonder is Pickle a bit lazy? Often if a horse is a bit behind the leg, then the rider tends to tip forward and bring the heels up in an attempt to get the horse more forward.

If that is the case, then it can help to work on schooling the horse to respond more instantly to the aids. Use a schooling whip and if horse doesn't respond to the leg, then give a quick tap with the whip.

Other suggestion are work without stirrups, and also practise standing up in your stirrups in walk, then trot, then canter - see how many circuits of the school you can do before you have to sit down! This really develops the strength in your lower leg!
 
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Have you checked the fit of your saddle? If it isn't completely level it will make it very difficult for you to sit straight.

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Yep it was fitted for him, also he is ridden by lots of other people who don't have that problem. He is on working livery so I see plenty of people on him
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allthough this is a picture of it, best one I can find

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I wonder is Pickle a bit lazy? Often if a horse is a bit behind the leg, then the rider tends to tip forward and bring the heels up in an attempt to get the horse more forward.


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Got it in one!
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I never really considered trying to get him moving would do that. I allready ride with a schooling stick he is improving but its slow progress to say the least
 
Try to think of toes up rather than heels down. Sometimes thinking of something in a slightly different way can make something suddenly click.

The piccie of you saddle looks to me like it might be slightly high at the front or low at the back, although the slight angle makes it difficult to tell. If this is the case it might not be helping.
 
It's hard to tell from that pic but I dont think your saddle is helping, for a start- it doesnt look long enough in the seat for you and hasnt got a big enough flap for your length of leg.

Firstly you need to lift your hands and have your thumbs on top. Then straighten your back, not by stiffening your shoulders (this will hollow your back) but by tucking your seat bones underneath you and breathing your shoulders up, roll back and relax (this will help your hands too)
You look like you need to soften your knee. I know it's nt easy on a lazy horse but forget about the horse for a few minutes, concentrate on creating energy through a good contact with the horse's side on your inside calf. Your legs are your stability- they hold everything further up in place by positioning your seat right.

Hope that all makes sense.....
 
Agree with Bossanova. Your horse looks as though he could take a saddle with an extra half inch longer seat. Also you need to bring your shoulders back and relax the knee and bring your lower leg back a bit. Dont think about kicking him along with your heel - you should be using the inside of your calf. If he doesnt go off a gentle pressure than tap with the schooling whip - much better than deadening him to the leg with constant kicking.

Practice lenthening your hamstrings by walking up stairs with your toes on the edge of the step and your heel low feeling the stretch on the backs of your legs. That is what you want to have when you are in the saddle (except be careful that in the attempt to get your heel lower you dont end up in a chair position).

Also, make sure your stirrups are the right lenth - let your leg hang naturally then the stirrup should be at your ankle bone.
 
You seem to be sitting too far back in the saddle and gripping with your calf and knees. Sit more in the middle of the saddle push down through your heels and relax more you look really tense. Don't look downwards or you will tip forward look up in front of you between your horses ears. There should be (an invisible) straight line down beween your knee and toe. Keep your shoulders back but relax. As someone said plenty of no stirrup work might help you stop gripping up. Good luck
 
the saddle is an 18.5" seat, because of my dad! allthough it is booked into be checked in 2 weeks time.

I agree with other advise though
 
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Is it really 18.5" seat? Wow - it doesnt look that long!

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yes sure is, had to be specially ordered!
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, dad is a big 6ft 3 so was for him
 
I'm no expert but I supect you're doing exactly what I do and locking your shoulders and upper arms. Blooming hard to keep shoulders relaxed but good contact in hands.

Also useful tip I was told was to literally get hold of buttocks/seat bones and tuck them under you to avoid the backward tilt before your start.
 
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the saddle is an 18.5" seat, because of my dad! allthough it is booked into be checked in 2 weeks time.

I agree with other advise though

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Jess are you saying that because the saddle is big it makes you sit at the back of the saddle (does it force you back with the size of it). If not try sitting central or maybe you need another saddle for when you ride?

Agree with posts above it doesn't look 18.5 must be the photo angle. How big is your horse?
 
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the saddle is an 18.5" seat, because of my dad! allthough it is booked into be checked in 2 weeks time.

I agree with other advise though

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Jess are you saying that because the saddle is big it makes you sit at the back of the saddle (does it force you back with the size of it). If not try sitting central or maybe you need another saddle for when you ride?

Agree with posts above it doesn't look 18.5 must be the photo angle. How big is your horse?

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well I suppose that is possible I do find it big to say the least, unfortunetly it really isn't possible to have two saddles and my dad can't ride in anything smaller.

It is marked on it and says 18.5 inches and the label that was on it said 18.5 inch. Pickle is 17.1hh just shy on 17.2hh
 
Jeese, I thought he was about 15hh and you were small! No advice, apart from ride without stirrups. I have the opposite problem, I ride with my legs too far forwards and tend to lean back!!
 
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