strange problem - I can't get my legs on properly!

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bex1984

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OK - I know this will sound weird, so bear with me!

Since Murphy lost weight I've been increasingly noticing that when I'm riding, I feel like I struggle to touch his sides with my legs. He does need a lot of leg, and I find I draw my legs right back when I kick. So I thought I'd work on not drawing my leg back, and discovered I find it really hard to actually kick him
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Now, I've also recently realised that my saddle is too small for my big fat a*se, and is too straight cut. I borrowed a friend's saddle to try and the first thing I noticed was that it put me in a very good position and I could get my legs on, and Murphy wasn't nearly so lazy.

Has anyone else experienced this problem? Could it just be down to the saddle? Or can I do something to change my position to help with this? Or is it just down to my rubbish riding?
 
I find with Pip I ride too long, and putting them up to a more GP length rather than dressage I can get my leg on better. He does have no belly though- My heels can click together riding without stirrups...
 
Yes! I remember it happening when my horse went on loan (many years ago now) and they used an old-style hunting saddle on him. I thought I'd forgotten how to ride as I couldn't get my legs in the right place! Then I rode the next time with a normal GP and it was so much better. It made me realise how much difference the right saddle makes.

Admittedly I wasn't riding much at the time and I'm sure if I had been a bit more solid in my position it would have made less difference though
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IMO it probably is your saddle. My sister had something similar with her gelding - he's fairly forward but quite nappy and needs a lot of leg to stop him drifting about. She used to find this really hard in her old saddle but since having the new one her steering has improved tons! Old saddle was, like yours, slightly too small in the seat and fairly straight cut. She was sliding back in the saddle and her legs were coming forwards, putting her off balance and making it difficult to get her legs 'round' him. I think the right saddle can make a huge difference to your position so would look into a new one if poss. Otherwise, work without stirrups is always good for leg position!
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If a saddle doesn't suit you then it won't put you in a good enough position to keep your legs on. I have had this problem in the past, at least you have found a saddle to suit you
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If a saddle doesn't suit you then it won't put you in a good enough position to keep your legs on. I have had this problem in the past, at least you have found a saddle to suit you
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unfortunately I can't afford to buy my friend's saddle off her and she needs to sell it so I've given it back to her and am back to my saddle
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Am going to go on the lookout for a new saddle but I'm completely skint so might be stuck with mine for a while
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Still, I'm glad to hear that you guys think the saddle might be the problem too, as that's what i was thinking but I'm a rubbish rider and did think it could just be my rubbish position.
 
Can you not part exchange your saddle? You might be surprised how much you could get for it.

I found I was drawing my legs back to kick so my RI got me to but some symmetry straps onto my stirrups. They velcro your stirrups onto the girth and stop you moving your leg back so you learn to get it in the right place. I used them for about a month before my legs relearned where they were supposed to be. They are under £10 so would be a good solution to look at your legs until you can get a new saddle.
 
Two different things being discussed here,and I agree with both.Saddles must also fit the rider(particularlythe position of the stirrup bar!),and yes,My 18 HH ISH .His side curves in sharply about half way betwean my knee and ankle.
When no one is watching ,a good old pony club kick works wonders,but when we are with posh folk trying to do the stressage thing with long stirrups I simply cannot bring my heal into contact.I do use maximum length spurs to avoid the temptation to bring my leg back and up.
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Riding without stirrups always helps ...
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I rode bareback yesterday, and found it soooo much easier to get him moving (altho I did nearly keep bouncing off the side...
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dwi - I did look at those strap thingies, but the problem seems to be that when I have my legs in the correct position I just can't kick him properly - I have to draw them back in order to get him to move.

My saddle was fitted to my pony, but the saddler didn't mention whether it fitted me!!
 
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