How can I stop my legs from swinging backwards when we jump?

[Charmaine18]

I know it's virtually impossible to correct someone's riding when you've never seen them ride, so I really should be asking my instructor and not you lot, but I forgot to ask her today and now it's bugging me. I seriously need to book a jumping lesson! Anyway, every time we go over a jump, when Scoobs lands I end up tipping forwards and my leg comes right back. Obviously I need to keep my heel down more, and try to sit up straight as soon as we're over (damn my slow reactions, I'm still in jumping position when Scooby's landing), but I was wondering if anyone had any tips to help me actually do this? I'm lucky he's got such a thick neck and so much mane to grab - one of these days I'm going to come straight over the handlebars!

If you've had this problem before, how did you fix it?

 

[Munchkin]

I had this problem when I moved from ponies to horses, as I couldn't wrap my legs around them the same (I'm a short arse).

The best advice I ever got was "Stick your feet in their ears as you take off". By pushing my leg forward and heel down, it stablised me in the air. Look at photos of Meredith on Shutterfly - she uses the feet in ears method too

This pic is a little extreme but it nicely illustrates what I mean: http://www.fei.org/Media/News_Centre/News/PublishingImages/MichaelsBBaum,%20Friday%20Night.JPG

Also, make sure your stirrups are short enough and that you're folding rather than leaning forward over the fence. If your upper bodyweight is , your leg will automatically slip back. Try to keep your bum back over the saddle, and look up as you land!

 

[DiamondSR]

I used to have this problem - the best way to teach yourself to keep your leg in place over a fence is no stirrups! I had the problem when I was at Pony Club and my instructor had me jumping bounce fences with no reins or stirrups with my arms out like an airoplane!

I also did lots of bareback jumping. I would like to point out however that it was when I was a fearless teenager! Probably wouldn't catch me bareback jumping now...

 

[vallin]

I have this problem, what my instructor suggested (an it does work when I remember!) is to make sure your leg is forward enough, wrap you legs around the horse, and then when you jump sit a bit more up right rather than throwing yourself it 'traditional' jumping position ie. bum out, head and hand forward, to illustrate
not remembering (a little bit exadurated...)

remembering

 

[Charmaine18]

Oooh, thank you all for your help! Okay, I am going to be brave and try going stirrup-less tomorrow! Gulp!

 

[Annagain]

I had a similar problem, and my instructor used to tell me to forget about going forward and to just concentrate on sticking my bum out and stand in my stirrups - putting your weight through your legs right down to your feet should stop them shooting backwards.

 

[caramac1988]

i used to have this problem when changing from a pony to a horse it was because i was leaning forward to much and my saddle was not the right shape and throwing me out the seat i needed a flatter saddle aswel if that makes sense

x

 

[chaps89]

One thing I found helped was looking ahead over the jump- pick a point directly ahead of you and focus on that. If your head's up, your tend to be better balanced/less inclined to tilt so far forward which in turn would mean your leg stops sliding back.
Hope that makes sense, it's easier to explain in person

 

[Charmaine18]

Yes, that did make sense - I know I need to concentrate on looking up rather than down at his neck. And my saddle is quite uncomfortable and often feels like it's tipping me forwards - I'd never considered that as a factor before. But I can't afford a new one so I'll just have to work around that!

I've got a lot to try out now, thanks everyone! Can't wait to get to the yard tomorrow and start practising.

We will be at Hickstead one day, mark my words!

 

[sam1am]

I also find if you shorten your stirrups that will help,
Good Luck
x

 

[Cyberchick]

Or you can cheat like I do sometimes and use Equilibrum straps! lol

 

[HensPens]

I’m no expert (no, really I’m not!!!)

But as others have said, make sure your stirrups are short enough, it makes the world of difference, even on tiny jumps it’s a lot easier to stay in the right place with the correct length (useful for when your baby horse jumps from behind the placing pole!).

Also work on the leg muscles, last night we were standing in our stirrups, then rising trot but going in an up, up, down rhythm, then that was followed by cantering but in two point for the long sides and sitting for the short. It helped you maintain the rhythm of the horse in the different stances too.

Place a cone or a marker at the end of the school from the jump and don’t take your eye off it. It seems to be helping with my jumping as I aim for that and not the jump.

Hope some of that might help! God knows I am having enough jumping lessons at the moment!

 

[Kenzo]

open you legs (sorry I know it sounds rude) but there is method the madness and stop kissing your horses ears and keep your backside in the saddle (so I was yelled at my RI)

my jumping position is pants too, never seems to have failed me but its not 'correct' but my saddle is very straight cut and I can't ride with short stirrups in it....so I yell back with that excuse!

 

[Kat]

I've had this problem but think I have largely cracked it now.

1. Shorten your stirrups. Really short.
2. Stick you bum out. My instructor said that jumping position is just like the position you use when you want to pee in a public toilet without sitting on the seat.
3. Look forwards.
4. Open your hands to avoid jogging your horses mouth and to avoid leaning on your hands and tipping forward.
5. Open your knees and get your weight down through your ankles, if you are gripping with your knee this makes your lower leg secure.
6. Avoid sticking your feet forwards, this makes you brace and is ineffective for using your leg on takeoff.
7. Don't take off before your horse, that tips you forward. Sit up until he actually jumps, then just crouch, you don't need much jumping position until the fences get big.