Lower Leg

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hobbit

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How do I keep it still???

Since I;ve got my new horse I've realised how poor my position actually is! My loan horse was a schoolmaster, off my leg, forward going etc...I've gone and bought myself a pony....and my leg is ALWAYS moving!! He's forward going on fun rides and cubbing/hunting...so my position stays better and my lower leg is much more still...but out hacking and when he backs off, my leg just ends up everywhere...I have regular lessons, and we're working on keeping leg still and getting him to move forward off my leg...but problem is...even when I'm not 'nagging' him to move on by kicking him...it still looks like I'm kicking him as my leg is everywhere....I used to have my stirrups one hole shorter for jumping...and one hole down for everything else...now I have permanently moved it up a hole...hacking or jumping!

out hacking he is slow, and even worst when on his own, he just backs off (he's 15, yet still quite spooky). His trot just isn't consistent in speed for me to find a nice rhythm, so I'm off balance, and my leg is everywhere.

I've always wanted a still leg...but it just moves everywhere....

This is my pony at his worst re being dead to my leg and just not moving forward (although he felt slower to me, than when I look back at the video). My legs are just flapping EVERYWHERE! whether kicking him on or not!
[video=youtube;lhaNG4g7HSU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhaNG4g7HSU[/video]


When it comes to jumping etc he is becoming more forward and confident, so it's much easier to focus on keeping my heels down etc...here's a video (not the best quality) of us jumping, he's more forward and I can just concentrate on my position rather than pushing him on
[video=youtube;XZqk3JRZPhI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZqk3JRZPhI[/video]



So...I know he has it in him to be more forward...and I know I have it in me to have a better position...so how do I get that position when he isn't the most forward going???

would appreciate any exercises/tips etc....
 
You need to get him off your leg on days like the dressage one. Carry a long stick and if he feels 'lazy' do as many transitions as it takes to get him off the leg .
 
Have you tried having a lesson without stirrups? This would help with your balance and you wouldn't be able to nag him with your legs like in your dressage video. Also the inconsistancy of the trott maybe be helped if you had a proper contact on your rein. If you look at the video you can see they vary from a bit washing line ish to contact, i think it could be as your legs flap if affects this too. (a bit like when a dog wags his tail his head moves side to side). Also if your used to riding a horse and then move to a pony it can be a nightmare getting used to the difference in paces. Just remember theres no rush, you have the rest of your lives to tweak these little things.:)
 
In the flat work vid it seems to me that your feet are quite far through your stirrups. I know my legs move less when they're where they are supposed to be, with my stirrups on the ball of my feet :)
I also think you'd make your life a lot easyer if you had a stick to back your leg aids up with, rather than nagging with your feet.
 
I think your seat is the issue. In rising trot, you're really throwing yourself up into the air, throwing your hands about and accentuating the pony club kicks. You need to learn to rise with him - i.e. not throwing yourself out of the saddle, but being lifted up and forward only as far as the stride dictates. If you can stay stiller, you can use your legs less dramatically and more effectively - particularly if you try and strengthen them a bit. I'd also not be kicking like that every stride on principle - it's having no effect and you shouldn't have to. Back your leg up with a crop and ensure he obeys instantly. Finally, you need stable hands to give him a steady contact to work into - so that if you can generate some forward movement, you don't lose it all out the front end!
 
JFTD said:
I think your seat is the issue. In rising trot, you're really throwing yourself up into the air, throwing your hands about and accentuating the pony club kicks. You need to learn to rise with him - i.e. not throwing yourself out of the saddle, but being lifted up and forward only as far as the stride dictates. If you can stay stiller, you can use your legs less dramatically and more effectively - particularly if you try and strengthen them a bit. I'd also not be kicking like that every stride on principle - it's having no effect and you shouldn't have to. Back your leg up with a crop and ensure he obeys instantly. Finally, you need stable hands to give him a steady contact to work into - so that if you can generate some forward movement, you don't lose it all out the front end!
Click to expand...

Agree with this. I had the exact same problem (still do sometimes!). Instead of thinking standing up and down, try to think of moving your hips forward over the pommel, tucking your bum under you and every time you rise and sit turn your heel outwards.
 
Had a lunge lesson with a friend and it helped immensely. I hate to say it, but loads of no stirrups! Also there are a few simple exercises to put your leg in the right position. It turned out my legs were slightly too far forwards, now they are in the right place (most of the time!!) my lower leg, and position in general, is much more secure.

Okay, can't find a video!!

Here are the ones that help me:

1) Put your knees up in front of the pommel, and try and feel if you are sitting equally on your seat bones.

2) Take your feet out of the stirrups, hold your legs away from the horses sides, and try and stretch them as far as you can.

3) Take your ankle and pull it back towards your bum, so that your knee is pointing to the floor, then let your leg hang down. Like a quad stretch on horseback!
 
Agreed also that as he gets more off the leg you will find it easier. Get your leg in the proper place, and if he doesn't respond to a gentle squeeze, use your stick! The more you kick, the more immune he will become to it :)
 
Elbie said:
Agree with this. I had the exact same problem (still do sometimes!). Instead of thinking standing up and down, try to think of moving your hips forward over the pommel, tucking your bum under you and every time you rise and sit turn your heel outwards.
Click to expand...

Absolutely this. If you think about working from your core - and that runs from the top of the pubis bone to your xiphisternum, rather than using your shoulders to pull you up, this should help. You need to sit on your tail bone (for the time being) - rounding your bottom underneath you and tipping your pelvis upwards, opening your hip bones wider. Think about squaring your shoulders back at the same time (or stick your boobs out, it's easier) and letting your arms hang from your shoulder to your elbow. By doing so, you would rebalance, and start to be able to drop the weight in your heels and use your calves to push the barrel of the horse.
 
Agree with all above. He is beautiful though! One thing that is completely unrelated and please don't think I'm picking, but your noseband is very low and the flash is wrapped a little too close to his nostrils. All the best with him though, look forward to seeing your progress.
 
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