Lower leg position

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~Howrse~Mad~

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I'm concious about my riding position i use to have riding lessons on and off for a bout a year and a half, and haven't for about three years. My lower leg position needs correcting, i watched several videos on you tube and read several tips, techniques and blogs on the internet. I don't have lessons anymore and don't have a riding instructor, i know lunging lessons help, working without stirrups and practicing the two point position work, but is they're anyway as well, and besides from getting a riding instructor what else can i do? I know they should be a straight line from your elbow to your hand through to your horse's mouth, and a straight line from you ear, to your shoulder, to your hip, and through to your heel, but when your riding and looking down to your heel, how do i know im right without someone else observing and telling me, i know you can get a strap to strap to your girth around your leg to keep you lower leg still, Thanks
 
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You'd be better off getting an instructor than tying your leg to the girth.

The only alternative is to video yourself, and try to correct yourself. Unless you're completely obsessive about it, you'd be better off getting a new instructor.
 
Thank you, sorry i didn't make it clear that i wasn't thinking about tying my girth to my leg but i know it is a suggestion, my leg does move to a certain degree, but i can't keep my heel and leg in the right position with my weight down, thanks.
 
Mirrors!

Eyes on the ground though are the best though - even if it is just a friend who knows the basics.

What I teach my riders is to check and correct their position BEFORE they do anything, so for example before you ask the horse to trot, check your position, reins and contact then ask to trot.
 
If you can't keep your lower leg in the right position its very likely that your saddle doesn't fit and is tipping you too far forwards or back. I'd guess back and your let legs goes forward, this is really common I see it all the time!
 
another thing which has helped me is to think about opening your hips and knees so you arent gripping:) and saying in 2 point in trot for as pany strides as you can.
 
Video - and if you are brave you could post a clip on here for critisism!!

Your lower leg will never be secure unless your upper leg is correct. Check both knees are level and push then down as much as you can (bet you need to lower your stirrups by 3 holes!).

Get someone to video you before and after doing this and see if you like the results.
 
The things that helped me with my wayward lower leg were:

Make sure your stirrups are the right length for you, I find if mine are too short in particular it makes my leg wobble about horrendously!

Practice standing in the stirrups, keeping heels down and toes in (not pointing out at a 90degree angle to your horse) and not balancing on the hands in walk and trot.

Make sure you aren't pushing yourself up with your feet in trot, use the muscles in your upper legs, hips and bum rather than shoving yourself out of the saddle with your lower legs and feet.

Rope a friend who knows what they should be looking for into watching from the ground and tell them to shout at you if your legs shoot forwards.

Keep practicing, it does come in time! Mine still occasionally have a relapse and we have to have words again ;)
 
The only way we ever develop steady lower legs is by staying on the horse using balance alone. So not gripping anywhere, for example knees, calves, hands etc. The best way to develop this balance is through lunge lessons and work without stirrups. You need to work on core strength and hold yourself up in the saddle independent of what's happening with your legs and hands. I would get an instructor to be honest, even if it's only sporadically as they can send you away with exercises to practice, as it's really important to have these basics down as these are the foundations you build on to move ahead.
 
Thank you for all your advice, how do i know i am not gripping with my knees, calves and balancing with my hands and how can i stop doing this if i am, thanks.
 
~Howrse~Mad~ said:
Thank you for all your advice, how do i know i am not gripping with my knees, calves and balancing with my hands and how can i stop doing this if i am, thanks.
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just make a mental note of checking these things. I had a lesson last night and in forward seat in canter the instructor shouted to me to relax and open my knees and it made a difference straight away. Balance in 2 point in trot really is the best one for me - if you can do this and not use the reins to balance you know you arent balancing with your hands ;)
 
I only have minimal control over my lower legs walking never mind on a horse so I understand your frustration! Keep focusing and good luck
 
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