Stabilising Lower Leg

[mini_b]

I am by no means an expert but I know what wonky things I do. My feet shoot forward for two reasons
1. Defensive riding, heels forced down leg braced.
2. Habit of years of being shouted at "heels down".
It is my understanding that 'heels down' mantra is to counteract many novice riders from putting their weight through the balls of their feet causing the heels to rise and the weight to tip forwards. It is not the end point to have your heels down as far as possible as this fixes the ankle (my riding instructor explained this much better) and causes the leg to swing forward.
I always try to position my thighs by... Bend each knee to a 90 degree angle rotating the knee outwards away from the saddle and then gentling placing my leg down and taking the stirrups. Then I put my hand under my thigh and scoop the muscle back so the thigh lies more flat. I find this a good starting place any way if that makes any sense.

this!
i have very fixed ankles due to riding defensively for years... riding fast over rough country coupled with the threat of a dirty stop or a buck.

i have an event cut saddle where the stirrup bars are so far forward it really doesn’t do you any favours when doing flatwork and you need to work twice as hard as if you would if you were in a nice dressage saddle.

I’m another one for wide leathers (pravins) and wider tread irons.
and the standing up! It really really helps