My toes won't turn in - help!

MrsElle

MrsElle

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Try as I might I just can't get my left foot right.

My right foot is fine, which surprises me as I have limited mobility in that ankle, but for some reason I just can't turn my left foot in.

Any exersises I can do to help? I am an old fogey of 42 and not as flexible as I used to be but this is just ridiculous!
 
i dont think they need to be totally in just not pointing out!! a tip from pat burges for me when jumping was to put the weight into the inside ball of your foot and push down and out!!! its almost impossible then to point out, takes a bit of getting used to but gives great security and lower leg strength!!
 
Like horses, all humans are conformed differently, and if you force something you are not built to do, you'll just create tension and discomfort.
If your feet normally point straight forwards when you are standing/walking, then perhaps you are slightly gripping with your knee and inner thigh. Think about slackening the knee away from the saddle to give a tunnel for the horse to go forwards into.
S
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Try stretching your adductor (inner thigh) muscles. I worked on that for months and now my toes almost point forward naturally.
 
Toes in don't come from your ankles. It's the inwards rotation of your thigh bone (starting in your hip joint) that lies your leg flat against the saddle and parallel to the horse.
As mentioned above you need to stretch your thigh muscles, especially hamstrings to allow for "long" leg at the back and practice the inner thigh softness vs outer thigh positive tension.

Best way to practice it first time is with someone actually rotating your leg while you are on the horse and instructor on the ground. This helps to make the movement small and doesn't strain the wrong muscles.
 
Love it JoBo!

Part of my problem is that Chad is rather 'rotund' with a back like a table - I find it physically impossible to get my legs round him and if I try it results in weird leg positions!

I will keep trying but might have to accept that I look crap - at least all we do is hack !

This is what I usually look like - how great is that leg position? lol
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[ QUOTE ]
Love it JoBo!

Part of my problem is that Chad is rather 'rotund' with a back like a table - I find it physically impossible to get my legs round him and if I try it results in weird leg positions!

I will keep trying but might have to accept that I look crap - at least all we do is hack !

This is what I usually look like - how great is that leg position? lol
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Image0060.jpg


[/ QUOTE ]
I still win, he, he! I know exactly what you mean, it is definitely harder to get your toes in/ straighter when sitting on a round/ barrelled one! I don’t find it anywhere near as hard on something skinner.
 
Could you try shortening your leathers a hole? You look as if you may be riding a bit long and 'reaching' for the iron a bit, if you shorten a bit it may help you to turn your toe in a bit.
Having ridden with turned in toes from a very young age, I think I have deformed my legs! My knees turn in and if I am not careful I walk with my weight on the outside of my feet
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but some bendy stirrups ! wonderful if of the bad back /hip brigade! and take your lower leg back in line with the hip. remember the ear shoulder elbow hip heel line!!!
 
Think about your knee - keep that pointing forwards, and really concentrate on it, and then you will find that your toes point forward
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if you think about your knees now, when sitting down, put them straight. Naturally your foot realigns to go straight too
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