How to fix a waggly left leg (mine) !

[Bernster]

Like a lot of people, I am one sided when I ride. Right side nice and solid, left side waggles around in a most annoying manner. As a result, horse tends to be worse on the left rein (which is her weaker side anyway). I've tried heels down/toes up, thinking about putting my weight down through my left leg, focussing on pushing my thigh into the saddle and a few other things. I end up feeling like a corkscrew but apparently I'm straighter

Latest tactic is to use a stronger kick with the heel (aka socking poor, and very amenable, pony in the ribs) cos I have a non existent leg/weight aid. This has improved things a bit but also = more foot waggling!

How have you fixed your weaker side? Any suggestions for exercises (on or off the horse) to help this?

I've just had an M&S choc roll, I might have a spare one for you

 

[Archiepoo]

i have the same problem with my leg and ive had to change things quite a bit to make myself straighter;-
i now ride in a dressage saddle its much easier for me to keep my leg in the right place with large knee rolls.
i have compensating stirrups with a wedge which helps control my wonky foot and
i stand up in my stirrups and rebalance my weight down my legs quite often during a lesson or ride . could you use a schooling whip to give a little tap rather than a big boot on your weaker side?

 

[Roody2]

As above, and think about whether you are constantly 'on' with your right leg- is your horse ignoring/unable to react to your left leg because you are driving constantly with your right?

 

[Sprig]

I try to think about (and look to see) where my hips are. that will often be the driver for your lower leg position and it is easy to see if you are skewed, especially when rising to the trot.

 

[Shrimp]

I am the same! My instructor has a good way of making me more aware of it. As soon as my lesson starts she asks on a scale of 1-5 what weight have you got in each of your stirrups (5 being the heaviest). Usually I'll start of with 2 in my left and 4 in my right! It's usually because I collapse my left hip sometimes and as soon as i sit up and keep my weight level, I even out. Throughout my lesson she will ask me a few times and am usually much better once we've got going. She does the same for the contact to the bit as well and that really works to. A pretty simple idea but it works for me!

 

[milliepops]

I try to think about (and look to see) where my hips are. that will often be the driver for your lower leg position and it is easy to see if you are skewed, especially when rising to the trot.

^^ this. My horse's physio also treats me and when she came to see my horse last time I got her to watch me ride. She picked up on where I was unlevel myself and as she is a v experienced rider & trainer too, she was able to give me some pointers to straighten me up.
Still need to book in a session to get my muscles less wonky as I have a v tight right side but my left leg is dominant - odd as that sounds it makes my left leg much less useful to me when I'm riding

 

[A Musing]

i have the same problem with my leg and ive had to change things quite a bit to make myself straighter;-
i now ride in a dressage saddle its much easier for me to keep my leg in the right place with large knee rolls.
i have compensating stirrups with a wedge which helps control my wonky foot and
i stand up in my stirrups and rebalance my weight down my legs quite often during a lesson or ride . could you use a schooling whip to give a little tap rather than a big boot on your weaker side?

I like the idea of speshul stirrups . I ride in a close contact but I do have a dressage saddle, duh, so will try that and see if it reduces waggle factor. Using the whip doesn't seem to sort it but maybe I'm not using it right. I need to use the leg aid to keep her bum from scooching in on the left rein iykwim. Would def prefer something more effective than a sock in the belly

As above, and think about whether you are constantly 'on' with your right leg- is your horse ignoring/unable to react to your left leg because you are driving constantly with your right?

Very very good point. Had a test tonight and def think I need to relax the right aids whilst improving the left one. Feels a bit like rubbing tummy/scratching head though!

I try to think about (and look to see) where my hips are. that will often be the driver for your lower leg position and it is easy to see if you are skewed, especially when rising to the trot.

Tried this too and def helps, although found it hard to maintain and if I stop thinking about it leg goes wiggly again. Assume it's a mix of muscle memory and strength and the better I get the easier it will become. Brill tip though thanks. I'm def a bit skewed and my left hip is pointing out and away from the saddle whilst the right one is forward and in. Sigh. My nag gets loads of physio and exercising, I should try a little on myself!

Really helpful,stuff though, thanks everyone.

 

[Bernster]

Btw that was from me! Am on my friends pc and realised its posted on her account ! Numpty.