How to be a stiller rider?

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LiffWee93

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Hi all... Just after some tips on the above really!

I have regular lessons with a fab instructor, ride regularly working on it but I just can't seem to stop my lower leg bouncing? Whether I ride with my leg wrapped round or if I have it light, whatever length stirrups? I've tried using different muscles and really pushing my heels down and at all times my legs bounce a lot on time with the pony :(
It's not that I'm actively riding her forward at any point, she's more than forward enough!

I just want to work on becomeing a much tidier rider as looking at any videos makes me cringe- no matter how hard I try! Finding it really frustrating ha

Any tips would be awesome!!
 
Have you tried having a lesson on the lunge so you can concentrate on your legs rather than riding? I know it's old school, but it would be worth a try.

Or what about no stirrup work?
 
I have a similar problem with my weaker leg!! it is eventually getting better though - mainly due to my new horse being sensitive to aids so if i move my leg too much then i will get a flying change! Has certainly improved me!

Have you tried the symmetry straps equilibrium do? They attach to the stirrups/girth so you can't move your leg as much. May be worth a try short term.
 
I had this problem all the time on Pip, now whether it was her or her saddle i dont know but since riding Ruby i dont think it does it so much, well, Rob doesn't should at me so much about it anymore!

I cant be of any help as i dont know what fixed it :S
 
Having a horse who is in front of the leg helps, and a good saddle (I find it a lot easier to keep my leg still on one of my horses than the other). Plus lots of no stirrups work, lunge lessons etc as others have said.

Also strengthen up your legs - I used to lose my right stirrup a lot, then I started doing a very basic exercise every day. Stand on one leg, then go on tip toes (still on one leg) then slowly up and down without putting your heel down. It really strengthened and stabilised my ankles. You can even do it while brushing your teeth or any other boring standing activities!
 
I regularly ride without stirrups and bareback, so I don't think that's the issue, it's literally that my heels bounce!!
Saddle is great and it's improved since getting it, but it's not going to cure my issues haha :) I'll try slightly shorter stirrups, I don't reach for them at present at all, but worth a go :)
 
One thing you could try is doing one or two exercises to help you open through your hip and/or knee (one very good one is to lift you knee up jockey-style and rotate the leg out from the hip before dropping it back down; then same on the other side), because excessive motion often comes from muscle tension further up the leg.

You may also find that opening the hip up actually lets you reach longer stirrups more easily (had to put mine down two holes last time, I think, but then I have an iffy knee so lots of tension tends to build up there), and can be quite good for deepening your seat, too. Certainly won't do any harm, at any rate.
 
Get a rider assessment from a ACPAT trained physio some sports physio's also do rider assessments it's specialist stuff so you need to find someone who does that sort of work .
The other more off the wall thing to try is mind training now this sounds nutty but you can affect what you do by thinking about it .
There's a book that covers this by a dressage rider Jane Savoie it's called That Winning Feeling it helped me a lot a one point .
You also need to find a trainer who trains position really well so you understand exactly where your tight and how to influence it .
 
I know I hold tension through my hip flexors send have been given stretches for them.. Instructor is fab and we have corrected my position loads (for the better).. It didn't Happen before so maybe its due to weakness that it's happening as my muscles have to work differently?
Thankyou for the ideas :)
 
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