Stopping toes sticking out and improving lower leg when jumping

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snooples

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I came back to competing after a couple of years break last summer, there was never really anyone taking photos when I was competing before so I never noticed this problem till now and I dont know why no instructor ever pointed it out to me but anyway when I jump my toes stick right out!!
Its awful and sometimes my leg just slips right back so there is no bend in the knee at all or else my lower leg slips back and I dont seem to be out of the saddle at all.
Basically Iv noticed my lower leg is awful and needs some major fixing, as the eventing season is starting for me in May so want to get it fixed by then!

Im going to try and attach some pics, its my first time so I hope they work.

Also spurs have been taken off since iv noticed this problem (my poor horsey) and wont be back on till its fixed
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[/url] 411410_10151054923099246_1449324031_o by snooples17, on Flickr[/IMG]
 
Lovely pics, what a nice partnership

I'd be putting my stirrups up a few holes for jumping and spending all my time hacking with mega short stirrups in two point, lots of pain, but worth it :D

but i'm sure you'll get heaps of advise - good luck, love that kind of happy horse face who clearly enjoys his job:)
 
I also had this issue for a while because I was switching between ballet and riding and my feet and lower legs were very confused with the whole in and out thing! I did a lot of half seat stuff in trot and canter to really force my heel down and drop my weight back in my calf. For me, I was compensating with a lack of strength in riding muscles with my ballet muscles in different areas, but obviously it can have lots of causes. How do you find your legs at dressage length stirrups? That's what made the most difference to me after strengthening my calves, doing no stirrups work and switching slowly to a much longer stirrup when doing flatwork, could be worth a shot, but I'd definitely call an instructor or two out on it!

Sorry if my ramblings have made little sense, just wanted to say as an aside that if it doesn't work out then I could take your poor horsey off your hands ;) so so gorgeous!
 
Thanks guys! He is a great horse alright :D

Il start riding out quite short and see if it helps, i actually think my lower leg cross country is slightly better than showjumping due to the shorter stirrups (no difference in toes though) so maybe il shorten stirrups for showjumping to cross country length for a while.

Zoecharlotte I actually find it hard to ride dressage length as if my calfs arent long enough and going by pictures my dressage length is still so short compared to other people so thats definately something I need to work on
 
Do you use a GP saddle or a jumping saddle.

My legs/feet used to be terrible in a GP saddle, but far better in a jump saddle.
 
In the J photo of the takeoff, it's like you're standing and then folding which will make you get in front of the horse and also swing back your legs and brace them a bit.

Could you try sticking a neckstrap/ bit of ribbon in his mane for you to reach for and then as you reach for this you have to try and push your bum as far back as possible? It will feel ridiculous at first but it does help and once you're going with the more exaggerated movement you can tone it down a tad?

I'm really bad for the pivoting on my heels and losing my lower leg, and this helped me. I'm not sure if it's a good fix or not though!
 
I found working in a 2-point seat very helpful, and having your leg wrapped on into the fences. The 2-point seat puts your leg in the correct position with your heel down and your weight flowing down the back of your leg. Then as afore mentioned - stick your backside out and pivot from your hips more. Practice going into and out of your jumping position on the flat.

You'll get there! I had hand issues that I only recently notice thanks to some photos, thankfully they are getting sorted... with some old PC and riding school techniques :) you never notice these things until someone snaps a pic of you! But good on you for picking up on it and acting positively!
 
Wench Im riding in a GP never actually even ridden in a jumping saddle so maybe its time for a change!

Lolo I definately do that standing thing instead of folding first. Where would you recommend tying the ribbon on the neck.
I found this awful photo of me doing the standing thing from last year, this is pretty much the epitome of what not to do when jumping!

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Im going to be crippled with all this 2 point work il be doing but id rather be crippled than stick with the jumping position i have! :o
 
A jumping saddle would probably really help. Obviously this is all expensive, and the trouble is with jumping saddles is they are hard to come by second hand.

One thing I had suggested to me whilst I had my gp... was to get some of the equlibrium stirrup velcro straps that attach to the girth. These will come undone if your feet/legs go wrong. You should be more aware of when things are going wrong then.
 
Halfway up the neck? Al has a neckstrap about 6 inches up Reg's neck she goes for. It does help- I also try and think of a balancing act. Whatever I put in front of the shoulders I must put behind them as well...
 
Good idea about the equilibrium straps, Iv a feeling they are going to be opening a lot!!

Lolo that balancing act analagy makes so much sense, will have to remember it when I jump
 
I do this too! Reading this thread with interest. Just gone down the jumping saddle route and I feel in better balance but it hasn't stopped me sticking my toes out and lower leg sliding back over bigger fences. I have been trying to ride a lot shorter and in two point seat whilst hacking and I am hoping it will slowly improve.
 
As others have said, spending time rididng in a two-point seat will really help adjust your weight and strengthen your calf muscles for jumping. I would also then swap and ride with no stirrups, even just in walk (you can gradually build up to trot/canter if you feel confident enough) as long as your horse is safe enough, as believe it or not it will also help to lengthen your legs on occasion and stretch the muscles down.

Regarding your position over fences, it looks as though you're pushing yourself 'up' and out of the saddle (you're bent forwards, but quite a ways above the horse!) rather than into horse and jump. This will also encourage your leg to go back. The two-point and stirrup-less excercises will help put weight into your heel which will counter this, but it would be worth thinking about what you do in the air too. Rather than thinking about getting your bum out of the saddle, try focusing on using your upper body to meet your horse's neck as he rises up in front of you to jumo. Sounds a bit odd, and will probably feel a bit strange, but it worked for me and should assist in improving your folding.

it could be worth you getting a copy of Tim Stockdale's 'Successful Showjumping Vol. 1' (not sure if it's on YouTube?), as he explains about using your seat and folding over jumps really well, and being a video being able to see it rather than just having it described is really useful.

Sorry to have gone on for so long, didn't mean to!! Hope you manage to crack it, you and your horse look like you make a great partnership!
 
I used to find my toes turned out a lot, and recently a sports physio picked up that I tend to be very tight through the hips. We've worked on this (mainly with stretches, no stirrup work and a little 2 point work) and it's cured my sticking out toes!
If you stand in a riding position (on the floor, not on your horse!) and practice putting your toes pointing forwards, you can feel the difference in stretch across your hips! I've come to the (non-scientific!) conclusion that toes pointing out is a combination of tight hips, lack of lower lag stability and lack of core strength - might be miles out, but it does seem to fit with most people!
 
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