Help with lower leg position

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CobsGalore

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Can anyone help me with my lower leg position?

I seem to have an inability to keep my lower leg still in rising trot. It kind of shoots forward (bit of an exaggeration, but gives you an idea) when I rise, and then goes back to the correct position when I sit.

I have only noticed it since getting my new horse, who is rather round and ridden in a treeless.

So, is it his shape, the saddle, stirrup position or something I am doing wrong which is causing my leg to move too much?

Thanks!
 
your leg position should be solid regardless of what kind or shape of horse you are riding. Do loads of standing in your stirrups while doing transitions from walk to canter, trot to halt, halt to canter, and work on keeping the leg steady.

If your leg is moving forward to rise, it means you don't have the strength in your leg or core, and and your heels aren't down. Just needs a few exercises to strengthen it and you should see the difference.
 
as paddi says this is about strengthening your leg and core

but also about your weight which needs to drop through the whole of your leg

this link was written about keeping heels down - click on the 'red' words -
but it applies equally to your issue...

sit on the edge of a chair and swing your leg backwards and forwards...

then apply either of the 2 exercises - detailed in the link above -to your leg and try again..

you'll see your leg becomes less mobile and more 'stiff' (in a good way)

btw check that you aren't 'over' rising... ie pushing your self out of the saddle rather than letting the horse's movement naturally 'throw' you up AND FORWARD (with gravity completing the equation)

the good news is that recognising and identifying the problem (as you are) means you're half way to fixing it :)
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Thank you so much for the article, very interesting, I will certainly try these exercises and hope I see an improvement with my lower leg.

I have always been taught heels down, but fustratingly, it isn't helping my legs in this situation.

Is there anything else I can do to strenghten my legs and core?
 
thanks for taking the time to respond and for your kind feedback...

re a strengthened 'core' -
obviously one can physically strengthen the muscles over time

but generally most people don't utilise their existing strength because the methods are rarely taught....

at most one gets a cursory 'sit up', which is ultimately correct, but not exactly illuminating...

thanks for raising the question, I will add it to the list for explaining in one of my future training newsletters (available via sign up form on the blog and FB)

in the meantime keep us posted on how you're getting on with 'taming' your lower leg!!!
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This sounds like a problem I had for a while, I was balancing on the rein and creating my rise from my foot rather than my core. 'Think' it and you will probably be more successful when you try it. I think of a string from my stomach being pulled upwards and out over the horses neck. Stupid but it works. Lessons on the lunge with no reins had the problem fixed within a couple of weeks - now everything feels different :)
 
I agree with the above but would also advise that when you get on the horse and several times whilst you are riding, is to place your hand under your thigh from behind and pull all the 'flab' for want of a better word, to the back.
This puts your thigh and knee flat against the saddle and lower leg under you and will help with keeping your leg more still.
 
Hi. My mare used to swing my leg forward, not a prob I had with other horses!! I realised tho I really needed o keep my leg further back in general and keep my foot level rather than forcing my heels down as this pushed my leg forwards. I really used to have to concentrate to keep my leg back. Now it's much more natural round me.

A really good book to help with rider positing is Mary wanless ride with your mind.
 
Billie1007 said:
I was balancing on the rein and creating my rise from my foot rather than my core. 'Think' it and you will probably be more successful when you try it. I think of a string from my stomach being pulled upwards and out over the horses neck. Stupid but it works. Lessons on the lunge with no reins had the problem fixed within a couple of weeks - now everything feels different :)
Click to expand...

This is exactly what I am doing, rising from my foot.

The string thing doesn't sound silly, can you explain it a bit more please? Does the imaginary string go from my stomach to the horses neck - so I need to think about pushing tummy forwards rather than trying to go up from my legs?
 
Foxhunter49 said:
I agree with the above but would also advise that when you get on the horse and several times whilst you are riding, is to place your hand under your thigh from behind and pull all the 'flab' for want of a better word, to the back.
This puts your thigh and knee flat against the saddle and lower leg under you and will help with keeping your leg more still.
Click to expand...

Thank you, I will try this too! :)
 
A lot of this is dependent on where the stirrups are - they massively effect your position. If too far forward they pull your whole leg forward and you end up with your heels 3 inches infront of your hips, rather than in the ear>hip>heel line.

When you rise think about lowering your little toes then aim your hips towards the horses ears, not in an elvis thrust (!) just lightly, rather than standing up down up down, then slow your descent with your thigh muscles before beginning again. Get someone to lunge you and take away your reins too :D
 
CobsGalore said:
This is exactly what I am doing, rising from my foot.

The string thing doesn't sound silly, can you explain it a bit more please? Does the imaginary string go from my stomach to the horses neck - so I need to think about pushing tummy forwards rather than trying to go up from my legs?
Click to expand...

String from your tummy - to the poll. The more I think about it it is two strings actually. One above your belly button and one below. Tighten your core and thrust from there. This will stabilise your upper body and your lower body, I think we are in the same area - if you fancy some lessons/aren't having any at the minute I wholeheartedly recommend my instructor. Taught me more in 10 hours than I had learnt in 5 years. She is wonderful. She is away for 2 weeks at the moment but let me know if you want her details. Where are you?
 
Billie1007 said:
String from your tummy - to the poll. The more I think about it it is two strings actually. One above your belly button and one below. Tighten your core and thrust from there. This will stabilise your upper body and your lower body, I think we are in the same area - if you fancy some lessons/aren't having any at the minute I wholeheartedly recommend my instructor. Taught me more in 10 hours than I had learnt in 5 years. She is wonderful. She is away for 2 weeks at the moment but let me know if you want her details. Where are you?
Click to expand...

Thank you, yes please - I am in Buckinghamshire :)
 
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