Legs!

[Juliaa_Faith]

Need some tips to help me keep my leg down and long, or some exercises!

When I ride ponies I don't seem to have that much of problem with my legs than when I ride bigger horses, though it's still visible. I feel like when I have my stirrups I solely rely on them, and I do try to stretch my legs but then I feel that for example in canter they come forward and I don't feel the weight in the stirrups (so I don't lose them as much as I did before but I'm barely keeping them) same goes for sitting trot, they'll just bounce around my feet and I feel like I'm barely keeping them, bare in mind they aren't that long.

I love doing stirrupless work and doing sitting trot so I do it often, however take my stirrups away my legs goes ever so long and underneath me, take my stirrups back and my leg goes more forward and I'm barely keeping my stirrups.

Don't know if this is relevant but I'm 5'3 so I am on the short side which short legs.

 

[AFB]

To me that really sounds like an issue with stirrup length - I'd try shortening them a couple of holes and see how you feel. Your lower leg should become more stable and you should find it easier to push your weight down through your heels.

 

[Kat]

Could also be a saddle issue, the stirrup bars could be too far forward.

 

[Shay]

I tend to edge toward an issue with the stirrup bars - if you are fine without stirrups then it sounds like the saddle isn't helping.

 

[shirl62]

I can sympathise regarding the short legs...I am only 4' 10'' . I have my stirrups quite short as I really have short legs! and seem to manage fine . I find it easier doing sitting trot without stirrups but am okay with the stirrups. I ride a cob who is 14.2.

Shirl