SJer's PLEASE help my leg position!

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toohorsemad

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Hey guys!
OK I have wanted to compete so so badly but there is only a few little minor problems that I think I can honestly solve but my main one which is really really affecting me ride is my leg position. It moves... its not secure and I want it so badly to stay! It is perfect in halt... when I concentrate it isn't too bad in walk and then in trot and canter its goes out the window. Another problem is that I have a 5 year old mare who isn't really off the leg and is a little green which I am working on but its hard work on me and her at the same time so I need some exercises to strengthen it up big time. Any ideas? By the way I am willing to go through ANY pain to get this right once it doesn't keep moving and I use my leg correctly so I stop messing with the horse and I can jump higher!
 
To be honest, we spent many year's trying to improve our daughter's leg position but have now come to the conclusion (since she manages to win jumping competitions) that it will find it's own spot if you stop concentrating on it! Working without stirrups is always good but I wouldn't necessarily work it too much with a young horse for a number of reasons.
 
I think you need to just relax and forget about it. As long as your position doesn't upset or put off the horse, then I wouldn't worry about it at all. My jumping position is far from perfect but its my natural one, I've never even thought about my position because as far as I can tell it hasn't buggered up my horses therefore why change it! lol.

I think if you try too hard at trying to change something like leg position, you'll find that something else goes array instead!
 
There is probably some stiffness and crookedness there which means that it is just physically impossible to put your lower leg on- possibly you have stiffness/crookedness in the hips and back?
I would see a Physio, chiropractor and a bowen therapist.

I would then also work really hard at personal fitness and weight ( it is always easier when you are trimmer and fit) and do loads and loads of Pilates and Yoga and stretching exercises. Think of trying to turn yourself into a ballet dancer- flexible, supple fit, and trim. With time it should come right!
 
agree with everyone else...try not to concentrate too much on it as you ride for the time being, my jumping position is hardly any good (see sig
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) but i have never really tried to change it, its just a natural one...so i wouldnt worry too much at the moment about your lower leg, and just work on strengthening the lowerr leg with what O_B described...

and also you could try trotting and cantering in your jumping position to strengthen the muscles in the lower leg, do some no stirrup work to make you use your seat and make sure you dont grip with your knees.

with time it should come right xxx
 
An insecure lower leg is generally caused by not putting your heel down and riding too long.

Are you heels always down? If not you have to work at stretching the muscles, this involved whacking your stirrups up so the only way they are comfortable is to have you heel very down. Also give you a much more secure base for jumping.

If you are long legged you automatically have an advantage I think and should find it easier to train your leg (I'm short and I have to work on it all the time and still haven't got that perfectly secure heels down position)
 
The biggest cause of this problem is an incorrect stirrup bar position. If the stirrup bar is too far forward, as soon as you put any pressure on the stirrup , your leg is drawn out of position.Fighgting this then makes the rider tense and look awkward.
 
I had a problem with my left leg swinging back but only my left leg which seemed quite ridiculous!

my instructor noticed that I was gripping with my knee and that then rendered my lower leg useless and so it was kind of flapping about and swinging back from the knee. Turns out it was actually a problem in my hip that meant my leg was in the wrong position and so my upper leg and knee were clamping to the saddle
 
as long as you feel balanced it shouldn't affect how big you can jump. many showjumpers don't have textbook positions but it doesn't stop them, jumping position wise just practise over small jumps so you can concentrate on your leg position, and try altering your stirrup length until you're comfortable, and as said above, heel down is very important it also stops you tilting forward. are you competing at the moment?
 
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