Secure Lower Leg, isn't this more dangerous??

Mine's got much more secure in the last year or so, and I stay on much better as a result! Interestingly, a lot of this has to do with more challenge to that position - more jumping, and of increasing height, and the body just seemed to adapt. I'm finally keeping my toes forward, so can wear spurs without it causing a problem with my fine skinned horse, my knees are behind the knee rolls rather than half a foot further out (so there is actually some point having them lol), and I'm more balanced in general.

Funny though - recently it's been all the rage to have toes out to make sure people aren't gripping with knees. I spent most of my life being told to keep them FORWARD (so knee behind knee roll and spurs off horse's sides), and now I've finally achieved that, everything (incl applying finer aids) is so much easier! I think with all good things, they get taken to extremes, and then the trend is in the opposite direction!
 
You cannot really compare a steeplechase jockeys position with that of an eventers. Firstly,most racing stirrups are extremely light Aluminium, and you need to keep your foot well home in the stirrup as they are very easy to loose and almost impossible to recover. Secondly ,betwean fences a jockey has to get into a well ballanced position (not strap hanging,though a lot of chasers do take a strong hold)so the leg comes back .But over a fence the leg is rammed forward hard. This is to absorb the shock of landing,or hitting the fence hard. You cant do this effectively with just the ball of your foot. A racing saddle leaves the leg free to move as required for ballance. Somthing which cant be done effectively on any other saddle.
 
I personally have a really rubbish lower leg and I will hold my hands up to it. However many times when the pony has hurled himself over a fence and pecked my upper body has held me up in the right place. SUrely core muscles will have an effect?
 
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