Losing my stirrups/foot too far in stirrup

Jenna1406

Jenna1406

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Hi,

Was wanting some advice on what to do about constantly losing my stirrups or my foot going to far in.

When riding I am struggling with keep my weight in my stirrups and this is caused by my tight hips, which cause me to grip with my knees (probably a habit now). I am recieving physio for the tight hips and it is slowly getting better (I used to be in agony sitting on a horse and this has eased to being sore after being in the saddle for a long length of time, however, I am left with the stirrup situation.

So, does anyone have any tips on exercises to help with this and/or which stirrups would be best to help me? I have been told angled grips may help??

TIA
 
Old fashioned schooling with a good instructor if need be, standing up in stirrups throughout, helps with weight into ankles, softens knees and helps with position in the saddle, also work without stirrups helps enormously too...I have the flexi stirrups (with flexi rubber bits on sides) helps my ankles (which are screwed from years of breakages etc!)...
 
I had this problem with my flexi stirrups and changed them to Freejumps - problem solved! They're a bit expensive if they don't work for you though so (if you can) make sure you try before buying them :).
 
Lots of work without stirrups, including rising trot without them. Only do a bit at a time, otherwise you will not be able to walk the following day :) This will help you to open your hips, and let your leg lengthen, it will also help to strengthen your core. When you rise without irons, rise from the calf, not the knee, otherwise you defeat the object of the exercise.
 
Micky said:
Old fashioned schooling with a good instructor if need be, standing up in stirrups throughout, helps with weight into ankles, softens knees and helps with position in the saddle, also work without stirrups helps enormously too...I have the flexi stirrups (with flexi rubber bits on sides) helps my ankles (which are screwed from years of breakages etc!)...
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Ive been working with an instructor as well but some days are worse than other days which is probably down to my tight hips. Standing up is a good one. I will need to ask to borrow my OH horse and mine has just turned 4 so working without stirrups might be a challange :D

Flexi stirrups is what I use at the moment.

DirectorFury said:
I had this problem with my flexi stirrups and changed them to Freejumps - problem solved! They're a bit expensive if they don't work for you though so (if you can) make sure you try before buying them :).
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Well you say free jumps, my OH has them on his saddle and love them when I ride his horse. So may have to borrow them for using on Breagha.

YorksG said:
Lots of work without stirrups, including rising trot without them. Only do a bit at a time, otherwise you will not be able to walk the following day :) This will help you to open your hips, and let your leg lengthen, it will also help to strengthen your core. When you rise without irons, rise from the calf, not the knee, otherwise you defeat the object of the exercise.
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I will maybe try this on my OH horse before attempting it with my 4 year old as dont want to panic her if I tense up.

Also, my horse is in an extra wide saddle which makes things harder and OH horse is a med/wide so he is alot easier to sit into.

Thanks everyone.
 
You are not alone. I have this problem, particularly with my right leg but I learned to ride nearly 60 years ago when we were taught to grip with our knees. Good advice above. My instructor has been a great help today he suggested I just shorten my leathers one hole that worked.
 
Rollin said:
You are not alone. I have this problem, particularly with my right leg but I learned to ride nearly 60 years ago when we were taught to grip with our knees. Good advice above. My instructor has been a great help today he suggested I just shorten my leathers one hole that worked.
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I start of from where I should be riding and if I am struggling, I put my stirrups up one but sometimes then tips be forward, its a battle at all times. My horse is only 4 and when I start really asking her with my legs, is when I start losing them and start gripping with my knees. Its a hard habit to break but I try each time I ride. My OH has a lovely leg position and his legs stay put, im very jealous lol.
 
From personal experience: being worked on the lunge whilst with no stirrups / holding rising trot position with stirrups helped alot - means you can forget about (to a degree) trying to ride and just work on yourself (neck strap advised just incase). Also if "heavier" on one side than the other then remove that stirrup; quickly makes you have to correct out how (un)balanced you are to the offending non-lengthened leg.
 
RAF Rider said:
From personal experience: being worked on the lunge whilst with no stirrups / holding rising trot position with stirrups helped alot - means you can forget about (to a degree) trying to ride and just work on yourself (neck strap advised just incase). Also if "heavier" on one side than the other then remove that stirrup; quickly makes you have to correct out how (un)balanced you are to the offending non-lengthened leg.
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I will work up to that, had a bad experience with my retired horse when my instructor decided to lunge with no reins and she took off. Havent tried it since and that was about 3 years ago.

Will maybe attempt it at a walk with someone that is good at lunging. Will need to see how good OH horse lunges.
 
I've been taught to take most weight (but not gripping) through my thighs not my stirrups. You should be able to rise without your stirrups. Too much weight into your stirrups pushes you out of the saddle. Your lower leg should be independent so that you can move it to give different commands. Many people also ride with stirrups too long especially in GP saddles that are not designed for a longer dressage length.
 
I have this difficulty due to riding wide horse(s) and me having narrow hips; the legs don't 'drape' as they should as the length of my thigh is taken up going outwards, rather than downwards. So the natural position is riding toe out a bit (5 to 1 on the clock). A lot of petite riders seem to adopt this position as their comfort zone and although it's not pretty it's effective.

I found the riding without stirrups fairly ineffective - if your hips aren't wide enough, no amount of exercises will assist and it's a matter of adapting a style that works and is comfortable. I nice deep saddle helps me, as does the gel-out pad - when my seat is secure my legs are better too.
 
Sussexbythesea said:
I've been taught to take most weight (but not gripping) through my thighs not my stirrups. You should be able to rise without your stirrups. Too much weight into your stirrups pushes you out of the saddle. Your lower leg should be independent so that you can move it to give different commands. Many people also ride with stirrups too long especially in GP saddles that are not designed for a longer dressage length.
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My loan saddle is pretty straight cut at the moment and I think my hopefully "fingers crossed" new saddle is quite straight cut. So im limited to how short I can have my stirrups but the weight in the thighs I have not heard before, thanks.
 
Cobbytype said:
I have this difficulty due to riding wide horse(s) and me having narrow hips; the legs don't 'drape' as they should as the length of my thigh is taken up going outwards, rather than downwards. So the natural position is riding toe out a bit (5 to 1 on the clock). A lot of petite riders seem to adopt this position as their comfort zone and although it's not pretty it's effective.

I found the riding without stirrups fairly ineffective - if your hips aren't wide enough, no amount of exercises will assist and it's a matter of adapting a style that works and is comfortable. I nice deep saddle helps me, as does the gel-out pad - when my seat is secure my legs are better too.
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I am 5'6 and because my hips are tight I struggle to take my knees away from the saddle (I try hard not to grip but its a habit i have gotten into now). I find it hard to push my lower leg on as essentially that is trying to open my hips up which doesnt always work. A saddle for my 4 year old we are struggling to get one to fit her shape so fingers crossed its comfy.
 
Jenna1406 said:
I am 5'6 and because my hips are tight I struggle to take my knees away from the saddle (I try hard not to grip but its a habit i have gotten into now). I find it hard to push my lower leg on as essentially that is trying to open my hips up which doesnt always work. A saddle for my 4 year old we are struggling to get one to fit her shape so fingers crossed its comfy.
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It might be worth you trying a solution saddle, we have them for our oldies and our youngsters, as they change shape along with the horse. Both sister and I find them incredibly comfortable, so it may be worth a try.
 
YorksG said:
It might be worth you trying a solution saddle, we have them for our oldies and our youngsters, as they change shape along with the horse. Both sister and I find them incredibly comfortable, so it may be worth a try.
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Thanks - got a saddle to fit her last night. A very comfortable Ideal Highland and Cob - delighted! Actually needed to bring my stirrups up one hole on this saddle and its helped my legs a little. So will try it out again tonight and maybe steal OH horse for some no stirrup work.

Thanks everyone.
 
For those of you with tight ps (pelvis actually!), try doing some yoga or Pilates at least once a week if possible, this will help you become more flexible supple and also increas your core muscles, which in turn will help with rising trot, sitting etc...good luck!! Ps I'm 5'8", slim build, and ride a cob X , narrow twist in saddle helps...
 
Micky said:
For those of you with tight ps (pelvis actually!), try doing some yoga or Pilates at least once a week if possible, this will help you become more flexible supple and also increas your core muscles, which in turn will help with rising trot, sitting etc...good luck!! Ps I'm 5'8", slim build, and ride a cob X , narrow twist in saddle helps...
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I was going to buy a pilates DVD to do at home to help with things. If anyone has any suggestions of a good DVD - let me know?

What do you mean by narrow twist?
 
The narrow twist is the top/front of the saddle where your crotch sits (sorry not very poetic but the only way I can explain) - if it has a scalloped/narrow cut, this helps the rider to sit a little more comfortably, rather than feeling like your hips and legs are straddling a table top.

At least I think that's what a narrow twist is :-)
 
I had this issue. Like you I had tight hips (psoas muscle I think) from years and years of riding short. As a result I had toe out conformation and a 'pinchy' seat.

It took a while, and though not completely resolved my toes are forward and I don't tend to lose my stirrups as much. To start with my stirrups were taken right down so my toe was basically just resting on them. Over time the stirrups have been shortened. From my experience, the focus was on keeping going. If you lose your stirrup it doesn't matter, if you're trotting at a snail pace it doesn't matter. Keep it going and over time you will release.

When I was first allowed my stirrups back to a more normal length for ages I suffered with my right leg. My left leg behaved but my right one bobbled about and I would lose the stirrup or sometimes my foot would get wedged right on it. Unless it was a danger (not too happy about foot being wedged on!) I just kept on. It does take time but now I hardly lose my stirrups. Also think it's important to define 'weight'. I used to think of it as stepping down then my instructor was like "no no no!" and explained it's not coming from the feet. The right side of my body tends to creep up (normally my shoulder). Thinking on 'weighing' that side down actually helped me keep control of my right leg
 
Elbie said:
I had this issue. Like you I had tight hips (psoas muscle I think) from years and years of riding short. As a result I had toe out conformation and a 'pinchy' seat.

It took a while, and though not completely resolved my toes are forward and I don't tend to lose my stirrups as much. To start with my stirrups were taken right down so my toe was basically just resting on them. Over time the stirrups have been shortened. From my experience, the focus was on keeping going. If you lose your stirrup it doesn't matter, if you're trotting at a snail pace it doesn't matter. Keep it going and over time you will release.

When I was first allowed my stirrups back to a more normal length for ages I suffered with my right leg. My left leg behaved but my right one bobbled about and I would lose the stirrup or sometimes my foot would get wedged right on it. Unless it was a danger (not too happy about foot being wedged on!) I just kept on. It does take time but now I hardly lose my stirrups. Also think it's important to define 'weight'. I used to think of it as stepping down then my instructor was like "no no no!" and explained it's not coming from the feet. The right side of my body tends to creep up (normally my shoulder). Thinking on 'weighing' that side down actually helped me keep control of my right leg
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Thank you for that information. It is that muscle (easier to say hips as people know what you mean). I used to ride really short and also went on medication that affected my muscles and joints a few years ago and it never really recovered and then my horse was retired, so dont think it helped not being able to ride as much.

My "hips" are much better than they were as I was nearly crying sitting on the horse at first and constantly wanted to pull my leg forward (like for tightening the girth).

I find that when I have stretched out on a hack (i take my legs out and let them hang down for ages) then one left plays ball and the other is doing whatever it feels like.

This is good advice. Thanks.
 
I'm sure there is a equi Pilates dvd but can't think for the life of me what it's called, sure it would come up on google search though...I use Davina mccoll yoga dvd, it's the stretches that really help me and I hurt where I didnt think I would!! Let us know how you get on...though it takes months so be kind to yourself and try not to focus totally on this wee issue, as it will all fall into place eventually!
 
Try (in the saddle) lifting your leg up, out and down, concentrating on trying to lift your leg away from the saddle. The up doesn't need to be high and the out not that wide but repeated it helps a lot. Also rotate feet clockwise and anti-clockwise- it all helps to release the grip on the saddle and loosens your leg. I do this and stretches before I get on. If I feel myself gripping, I go to walk and repeat these exercises.
 
Micky said:
I'm sure there is a equi Pilates dvd but can't think for the life of me what it's called, sure it would come up on google search though...I use Davina mccoll yoga dvd, it's the stretches that really help me and I hurt where I didnt think I would!! Let us know how you get on...though it takes months so be kind to yourself and try not to focus totally on this wee issue, as it will all fall into place eventually!
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Thanks - I have some stretches that I was given by the physio that I need to do before getting on, so I do them also but feel that I need something to do away from the horses to help me overall :D Thanks. Will keep you updated.

Ceriann said:
Try (in the saddle) lifting your leg up, out and down, concentrating on trying to lift your leg away from the saddle. The up doesn't need to be high and the out not that wide but repeated it helps a lot. Also rotate feet clockwise and anti-clockwise- it all helps to release the grip on the saddle and loosens your leg. I do this and stretches before I get on. If I feel myself gripping, I go to walk and repeat these exercises.
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When you say lift my leg, do you mean almost like I was to put my leg in front of the saddle (tightening girth sort of thing) then put and down??

TheOldTrout said:
You might find yoga helpful for loosening your hips. Also good for balance and keeping calm.
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Will have a look at Yoga also - anything to help me overall will be good.
 
Jenna1406 said:
Thanks - I have some stretches that I was given by the physio that I need to do before getting on, so I do them also but feel that I need something to do away from the horses to help me overall :D Thanks. Will keep you updated.



When you say lift my leg, do you mean almost like I was to put my leg in front of the saddle (tightening girth sort of thing) then put and down??



Will have a look at Yoga also - anything to help me overall will be good.
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Bend and raise knee in front of you - not quite like when tightening the girth as the idea is to raise away from the saddle. Raise only a small amount and then rotate hip away from saddle (do your knee is away from saddle), then lower again. My instructor suggested I get so used to doing it that I can do it in walk without tilting or shifting my weight (not easy)! I grip with my knees and it really does help. I do it after getting on and during breaks for my mare.
 
One tip I was given which I found really helpful was to think about what I was doing with my toes. When I concentrated, I realised I was subconsiously scrunching up my toes in my boots, probably trying to hang on to the stirrup. Now I focus on spreading my toes and lifting them slightly in my boots. This helps lengthen the back of my lower leg and "weights" my heels without me pushing down and distorting my leg position. Hope that helps x
 
Ceriann said:
Bend and raise knee in front of you - not quite like when tightening the girth as the idea is to raise away from the saddle. Raise only a small amount and then rotate hip away from saddle (do your knee is away from saddle), then lower again. My instructor suggested I get so used to doing it that I can do it in walk without tilting or shifting my weight (not easy)! I grip with my knees and it really does help. I do it after getting on and during breaks for my mare.
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I will maybe try this at a stand still for the first few times to try and help my legs. I have brought my stirrups up one again to help keep them in the stirrups just now and when I do more exercise, I think I will put them back down again.

Thanks

tatty_v said:
One tip I was given which I found really helpful was to think about what I was doing with my toes. When I concentrated, I realised I was subconsiously scrunching up my toes in my boots, probably trying to hang on to the stirrup. Now I focus on spreading my toes and lifting them slightly in my boots. This helps lengthen the back of my lower leg and "weights" my heels without me pushing down and distorting my leg position. Hope that helps x
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Will need to see if I am doing this, its not something that you actually think about when you are riding as you have so many other things to think about. Thanks
 
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