Riding without stirrups when schooling

[Supertrooper]

I had a lesson on weds (first one on new horse) I have mainly just been hacking but have got into the naughty habit of nagging with my legs. So instructor took my stirrups away and it has helped me to be I think more conscious of what my legs are doing and is helping me to keep them stiller!!

So I'm going to keep schooling with no stirrups but should I also try putting my stirrups down a few holes?

 

[Paint it Lucky]

Glad riding without stirrups is helping you. It will also help improve your balance and strength which should also help to keep those legs stiller! You'll probably find that if you take your stirrups back at the end of a ride you will want to put them down a couple of holes as your legs will have stretched out. I would be wary of doing it too much at the beginning though as you may find your legs move more as you are struggling to reach the stirrups all the time!