Riding Position

[TicTac]

I am a fast aging mature woman who has ridden all her life but has, in recent years slipped into some bad position habits. Admittedly I do not ride as often as I used to but I still try to ride my horse 4 times a week during the summer.

My main problem is my lower leg. My heels come up and I tip forward slightly. I do have lessons as often as I can afford and the position is corrected during thease lessons however, old habits die hard.

You'd think it would be really easy to get on your horse and put your heels down and get them to stay there but because I have become stiff with age, there lies the problem.

Are there any excercises that I could do on the ground, or with a swiss ball or any other such object that could help me to develop a bit of core strenght to help me sit deeper in the saddle? I know there's no substitute for riding but looking at some recent photos that were taken, it would be nice for my horse to have a half decent rider on top for a change instead of the old crook that she put's up with!

 

[MrsMozartletoe]

Pilates, preferably equi-lates (or whatever it's called lol).

Ride without stirrups.

Use the flexible stirrups, much kinder on aging joints (and I speak from experience

).

Try standing on the bottom step of your stairs (hold onto the bannister). Put the balls of your feet on the edge of the step. Gentle dips up and down. It will lengthen your tendons, etc..

Try not to wear high heels, they tighten everything up.

Stretches before and after riding.

 

[brighthair]

my YO taught me if I am tipping forwards, it's when I drop my hands. So if I keep my hands up, I sit back more

 

[Walrus]

I used to do this, my instructor made me put my toe in the stirrup as opposed to the ball of the foot. It forces your heel down, made my ankles hurt though, I thought she was trying to torture me! Obviously only do it on a safe horse and not for long periods at first when it starts to hurt!

 

[newhorse]

I have been having the same problem to the point I got annoyed in my lesson and blamed the whip???? I always always wear high shoes and this could then maybe be the problem. Apart from wellies I am always in 4 inch heels all day every day!

 

[Partoow]

The instability in the lower leg comes from a tight pelvis.
It is the base on which the upper body is supported, core muscles support and then the lower leg can more readily 'hang' from the open hip . By not pinching at the knee the weight of the leg is suppported in the stirrup. Its important to keep the ankle relaxed and supple and rather than trying to force the heel down just lift your big toe up inside your boots this will help and at the same time not force you out of balance.