Becca2403
Active Member
Does anyone have any tips for me to keep my lower leg forward when jumping, i'm beginning to wonder if my stirrups are the wrong length they just keep swinging back 
Lower Leg Woes
- Thread starter Becca2403
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Well-Known Member
What does your instructor say?
Photos would help.
Photos would help.
meesha
Well-Known Member
A good exercise is to first walk and halt then trot then canter then jump all stood up, to avoid using reins to balance you will need your lower leg securely under you. Did this in lesson with instructor at weekend. Make sure your saddle isn't making life harder for you and put stirrups short enough.
Embo
Well-Known Member
A good tip I've learned from some eventer friends & Trainers - 2 or 3 strides out of the jump, think about really pushing your heels down and allow your lower leg to come slightly forward. This is more of a defensive position for cross country riding, but it does translate well into SJ until you become more balanced and stronger in the lower leg.
Tips for become more balanced and strong - lunge lessons, lots of no-stirrups flatwork (building up to small jumps when you develop and independent seat), as above doing everything in 2-point and yes, shorten your stirrups!
Tips for become more balanced and strong - lunge lessons, lots of no-stirrups flatwork (building up to small jumps when you develop and independent seat), as above doing everything in 2-point and yes, shorten your stirrups!
PaddyMonty
Well-Known Member
Lower leg swinging back is often a symptom of stirrups being too long.
eggs
Well-Known Member
Could also be that you are throwing your upper body forward rather than folding from the hips ?
vam
Well-Known Member
Lots of 2 point in all paces, no stirrup work, think about putting you leg/heel in there armpit and short stirrups all help. Thinking butt back over a fence also helps to stop you going up the neck and the leg swinging back.
Also make sure your horse is properly in front of the leg, if you are trying to get forward your leg will be moving.
Can you tell what issues I have.....
Also make sure your horse is properly in front of the leg, if you are trying to get forward your leg will be moving.
Can you tell what issues I have.....
Becca2403
Active Member
Thanks for some of the advice guys. The horse I jump tends to back off the fence and I find I'm constantly having to push him on hard and my legs swing back. My instructor says when I ride a more forward to the fence horse, that my legs don't do this so much, only slightly. Just concerned that this could have also had another source. I'll try and shorten my stirrups to see how that works.
Becca2403
Active Member
So put into practice the shortening of the stirrups today, riding a more forward horse. Worked a treat, no lower leg swing, but now my instructor keeps shouting 'heels down' win some lose some hahaha