Lower Leg going back in canter...

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express_75

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Hi

My lower leg seems to go back in canter - not all the time but i've seen pics of my at shows and it looks awful:( I had a lunge lesson last week (without stirrups) and it helped loads but when i rode normally again the other night, i had the same problem! Usually its the right leg.

Please could you give me any helpful tips on how to keep my lower leg where it should be...

Thanks all
 
when that happens to me, I try and keep my heels down, pretty much impossible to move your leg back when your heels are down too. Repeating 'heavy heels' in my head works well!
 
Lunge lessons are a good idea.

As glosgirl says focus on keeping your heels down. Try not to brace your legs in position - relax, imagine opening your hips and wrapping your legs around the horse.

Sometimes riders legs come back because their upper body is tipping forwards so also check you are not doing that.
 
Yes, i think when ive become nervous i have tipped forward but this is getting better the more shows i do - im very, very tight through my hips and upper thighs, i feel im blocking the movement at times..

Thanks for the advice - i must try and drop my heels more
 
I have had the same problem, not able to ride at moment cause of bad back and I've found this was the problem, as I'm weaker on the right than the left, hopefully having it sorted out next thursday:D:D:D
 
express_75 said:
Yes, i think when ive become nervous i have tipped forward but this is getting better the more shows i do - im very, very tight through my hips and upper thighs, i feel im blocking the movement at times..

Thanks for the advice - i must try and drop my heels more
Click to expand...

My instructor used to say 'you're riding like a clothes-peg'.

She meant I was blocking and sort of wedged on instead of moving with the horse. It made me smile and relax, which in turn made my position improve!
 
I do this too and I agree, lunge lessons are a great idea. I am getting used to riding other horses after 10 years with the same animal and I found I have picked up loads of bad habits. I also need to sit back a bit at canter - what I think is upright is acutally me tipping forward slightly and it throws me off balance.
 
You're either tipping forward, or too tight and gripping too hard with the adductors (the big muscles on the inside of your thighs) - or both. I know, because I'm all too aware that I do exactly the same thing.

I completely endorse the lunge lessons without stirrups thing. (Says she, the biggest hypocrite ever, as I haven't had a lesson for ages!) Without stirrups being the key words here.
 
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