Lower leg stability

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poiuytrewq

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Something I've struggled a bit with since coming back into proper riding and I see seems to effect quite a few people (is a fairly regular question!)
This might be obvious but after a few lessons and exercises given to me it's not been mentioned so I wondered if it may be helpful to someone else in the same position (literally ;). )
I did a session un-mounted with a ride with your mind instructor recently who also didn't pick up on it but made me think... she said to really concentrate on how parts of my body feel on a horse and how even weight is distributed. It occurred to me yesterday that the weight in my stirrups is mainly on the outside so just behind my little toe as my ankles seem naturally to turn in and follow the horses contours. If I shift it to the proper ball of my foot problem solved! Position wise to an onlooker I look fine it's just something I realised after her talk.
It's difficult to keep it in the right place and aches but when I do I'm feeling so much more secure.
Might be completely irrelevant to others with the problem but is worth thinking about next time you ride!
 
Oh, that's definitely something to try! I switched from a dressage saddle with enormous blocks that wedged my legs in place to a GP that doesn't cause me agonising pain, and my lower leg's been all over the place since, especially in trot. I've also noticed my leg following the horse's contours, as you describe, but never put it together with lower leg instability.
 
I will definitely give that a try - my right leg position is improving hugely but it's been hard and I have to think about it all the time. I tend to focus on keeping it still and allowing weight to drop through it but thinking about where the weight is sounds v logical now you point it out!
 
When I consciously think about it it absolutely helps but is difficult to maintain at the moment.
There were things I didn't really agree with the ride with your mind/bio-mechanics coach but some that just made me think more. It was interesting!
 
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