Securing lower leg...

adventurerider

adventurerider

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Hi all,

Does anyone have any tips or exercises I can do to relax and make my lower leg secure whilst using stirrups?

Sold my horse a year ago and had a break, now back on the lunge going over the basics. Im now finding it easier riding without stirrups-rise/trot fine, canter fine. Bring the stirrups down and I'm a moving/flappy mess!

Any suggestions? It's driving me crazy :s
 
You could try the Mary Wanless RWYM DVD's - there in one on rising trot and should help you remember the mechanics of the whole thing. To be honest they are pretty good all round if you want to be reminded of how to have a good classical position.
 
canteron said:
You could try the Mary Wanless RWYM DVD's - there in one on rising trot and should help you remember the mechanics of the whole thing. To be honest they are pretty good all round if you want to be reminded of how to have a good classical position.
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echo this I have just started lessons with this and have been totally gobsmacked at the difference in my riding. Truly amazing

best book is the Ride with your mind essentials £10 inc pp from amazon
 
soulfull said:
echo this I have just started lessons with this and have been totally gobsmacked at the difference in my riding. Truly amazing

best book is the Ride with your mind essentials £10 inc pp from amazon
Click to expand...

I didn't really understand the books before having some lessons, but I think the DVD's would give anyone a lot of good hints ..... I actually find Mary Wanless quite severe, but they are v good DVD's. I use them sometimes if my riding is getting sloppy just to remind myself what it is all about!!
 
soulfull said:
echo this I have just started lessons with this and have been totally gobsmacked at the difference in my riding. Truly amazing

best book is the Ride with your mind essentials £10 inc pp from amazon
Click to expand...

I have this book and I had lessons with a RWYM instructor for over a year. I no longer have the lessons but I did learn a lot about my position and straightness. I do ride a lot like that still but I must admit, I sit up and I have to use my legs to keep her together and for bend. But I am aware of my seat bones etc.
The person that you are having lessons with, are her initials DOR as this is who I had and she is in your area? She is very good. Sorry, just being nosey. :)
 
My instructor gets me to shorten my stirrups (drastically!) and ride in light seat to strengthen my leg muscles - on the lunge at the start of my lesson.
 
Boring old standing in your stirrups works well - keep a soft ankle/knee/hip and practice standing till you are stable at walk and trot without holding on to anything.
Then practice double posting - at trot, rise for two beats and sit for one, if you can do this in balance it should mean the lower leg is fairly secure.
You can go on to Sevens - 7 strides rising, 7 strides sitting then 7 strides standing, repeat till you are comfortable with it.
 
Thanks a lot guys, shortening the stirrups and staying up for a long time is a good one :) may have to invest in some Mary DVD's.

Let's hope for a better position soon :) xx
 
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