lower leg whilst jumping

[amandaco2]

ive not jumped for a wee while
i just popped the 6 year old over a few xpoles yesterday and today and found i am really struggling to keep my lower leg from going right back....
even just doing jumping position in trot and canter was quite hard!
could i need to shorten my stirrups more.....?
i am having a lesson on monday so i will get some help from the ground then.

 

[sunlover]

It may help you if you can try and turn your toes out slightly - I know it sounds very contrary to everything you have learnt however, it may help stabilise your lower leg. Good luck with your jumping.

 

[Gonetofrance]

Spread your toes and put some weight into your heel.......... you're possibly unwittingly tensing your feet.......

 

[JustMe22]

Or pinching with the knee? I actually think the only way to fix it is lots of practice..and consciously thinking about pushing your lower leg forward

 

[Hels_Bells]

I find that to just think "up" instead of "forward" as you jump (if you are not doing big things) so that you are barely moving out of the saddle helps. Just kind of make yourself pretend you are trying to touch a piece of wood over the top of your head. Also lifting off horses back but really trying to fold as little as possible as you go over the fence helps me a bit. It's when you fold a lot that the leg sometimes automatically comes back. I've got into the habit in the past of jumping small fences like I'm Ellen Whitaker doing puissance so tried the above things to try and help me stop it!!

The recent Lucinda Green series in H&H talked quite a lot about keeping 3/4 behind the horse and keeping leg forward etc, might also be a help if you haven't already read it.

 

[cyberhorse]

OK. Make sure your stirrups are short enough (I usually go up at least 3 holes). As you approach the fence visualise yourself showing the soles of your boots to the fence this gets your heels down and plenty of weight in your legs to stabilise things. Also have a look at your saddle if it is a GP and you have some form of block then this helps - you can get the size of blocks increased or added to by a saddler.

Practice riding round in hover position mainly in cater (if you do to much of it in trot you just end up with sore ankles and knees). Also it is about a safe lower leg not the perfect position, find what works for you there are no marks for the style of your position with jumping. Just ensure you do not impeed your horse and that you land balanced and in control.