schools of riding? (poll)

[parsley]

Although I have been riding since very young I have not had formal lessons until recently (I'm 40 now!). The instructor I have lessons with leans towards the Mary Wanless riding where the thigh is kept in contact with the saddle and straight down allowing the lower leg to come back to line up the heel, hip and shoulder as I understand thing. I am becoming aware that there is a different school of thought that you should allow the knees to come off the saddle with very relaxed thighs, while you keep the calves in contact with the horse. Both seem to agree on the other basics of position.

Are there any other ways of doing it and what do the rest of you do?

 

[pottamus]

I have always been taught to let my legs hang loose down my horses sides and keep my knees and thighs off so I can wrap my lower leg around his sides. This works for me because I ride pretty long, which works for what I do...hacking and pleasure riding. But I don't think that would work too well for jumping or hunting though!

 

[PapaFrita]

I keep thighs and calves 'wrapped' gently around horse. The knee is in contact, but not 'gripping' (which is how I was taught to ride many centuries ago)
In an emergency though I grip with every muscle I've got!!

 

[jenbleep]

ages ago i was taught to let me legs hang loose and keep my knees and thighs away from the saddle. however, i have been having lessons lately from this great trainer and i have been told to keep my knees and thighs in contact with the saddle ("pretend i have no lower leg unless i need to use them!") and not grip. this makes more sense to me because if you spread your weight over more area it will be more comfortable for the horse and it should be more willing to work properly. if youre sat there with your legs away from the saddle you are more likely to dig into the horses back xxxxxx

 

[__Annie__]

when I startrd riding I had to put a penny between my knee and the saddle, woe betide if I returned pennyless

 

[Bex7]

Lower leg and calf wrapped and holding and the knee on but not gripping.

i find the lower leg security helps with my seat so this way works for me

 

[Kate_13]

I ride with thighs and lower calves of the horse. My knees are on the saddle but not gripping it. I find with fiesty horses that if I don't have an lower leg wrapped around, when I ask for something they freak, but by keeping a leg by the side allows them to know im there and I ask when required.

My thighs work hard too, I use my thighs and seat a lot when riding (hence why my thighs are huge!) I use them for trainsitions, half halts e.t.c

Have you ever tried rising trot with no stirrups??

 

[Daphnelia]

i get taught both by two different teachers at college, one of the reasons I stopped riding there - it gets very confusing!

 

[Forget_Me_Not]

I don't grip with my legs....I put my weight into my heels and this keeps my in balance with the horse (hard to explain) and ride through my seat....My legs are alway on contact but no tension. I was taught the Tim Stockdale idea that stirrup leathers should be straight. (however this is all in thoery, I think like most people my riding is effected by horses, saddles, muscle state etc)