Your favourite exercises for keeping lower leg position secure?

Kellys Heroes

Kellys Heroes

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Hi guys
I have searched the forum but my computer is being uber silly and won't let me find any relevant threads!
I have major issues keeping my lower leg still, especially on bigger horses and it really winds me up! I can't have regular riding lessons, so I just tend to try and build on what we have worked on on my own.
I manage to keep my leg secure in walk but in trot it goes to pieces and I pick it up a little better in canter. My RI/YO worked with me in a jumping position in trot for a full lesson and it was brilliant but as soon as I have hacked out etc it just goes again, I don't think I have the strength in my lower leg yet. Its making me less secure in jumping too. I try and do a lot of work without stirrups as I find it easier to push my weight through my heels after. I'm far from a very good rider but this is what annoys me most!!
Here's some piccies (the best I have of recently), any tips or exercises would be most appreciated!!!
K x

At a standstill
197164_10150124088068860_676983859_6573895_5528387_n.jpg

Trot
197358_10150124087578860_676983859_6573882_5320949_n.jpg

Canter
206640_10150124088938860_676983859_6573918_4189399_n.jpg


ETA I dont know why photobucket hasn't resized them all but I did try...sorry!! She was chatting to the horses in the next field in the 2nd photo lol
 
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I'd say stop trying to push your weight through your heels, yes the weight should be dropped by gently stretching the muscle, but as soon as you push or force you create tension which tends to lock the knee and cause stiffness. You need to think about allowing the leg to gently wrap around the horse so that the knee is soft and slightly away from the saddle.

Exercises to help keep it in place would be to work without stirrups, getting the leg in the correct position to start with (someone from the ground might be useful to help) then lean forwards from the waist as far as you can (you can touch horse's ears with your hand if it helps) then the same going backwards while consciously keeping the leg in the correct position. Once you've done that a few times then touching the hand to the opposite toe while making sure the leg on the other side doesn't slide back is a good one to do. You'll probably feel quite a bit of stretch through the thighs and hips, but it all helps to keep the lower leg in the correct position.

Hope that helps!
 
touchstone said:
I'd say stop trying to push your weight through your heels, yes the weight should be dropped by gently stretching the muscle, but as soon as you push or force you create tension which tends to lock the knee and cause stiffness. You need to think about allowing the leg to gently wrap around the horse so that the knee is soft and slightly away from the saddle.

Exercises to help keep it in place would be to work without stirrups, getting the leg in the correct position to start with (someone from the ground might be useful to help) then lean forwards from the waist as far as you can (you can touch horse's ears with your hand if it helps) then the same going backwards while consciously keeping the leg in the correct position. Once you've done that a few times then touching the hand to the opposite toe while making sure the leg on the other side doesn't slide back is a good one to do. You'll probably feel quite a bit of stretch through the thighs and hips, but it all helps to keep the lower leg in the correct position.

Hope that helps!
Click to expand...

Thanks! Will definitely try that...K x
 
Another vote for lots of no stirrups I'm afraid. I used to have terrible movement in the lower leg and fell off at least once a week for a few months when I started jumping (the running joke on the yard was I free schooled at competitions rather than rode the horse!) Did lots of no stirrups, especially rising trot no stirrups, to strengthen my seat and leg, worked a treat but I did a good 3 sessions a week for a couple of months before the free schooling stopped!
 
Laura6544 said:
Another vote for lots of no stirrups I'm afraid. I used to have terrible movement in the lower leg and fell off at least once a week for a few months when I started jumping (the running joke on the yard was I free schooled at competitions rather than rode the horse!) Did lots of no stirrups, especially rising trot no stirrups, to strengthen my seat and leg, worked a treat but I did a good 3 sessions a week for a couple of months before the free schooling stopped!
Click to expand...

The only comment I'd make is that if you already have tension/stiffness through the hip/knee which causes the lower leg to lose position, then rising trot will make the situation worse as it encourages grip.
 
I can recommend a book called Centred Riding by Sally Swift, I have terrible trouble with my legs and since reading this book and having lessons with a Centred Riding instructor, it has helped no end! Still a long way to go, but I feel I am making progress! I really like the way they explain things, and it gives some great exercises. I got a copy out of the library, but I'm going to buy one as I've been so impressed.
 
Great, thanks guys lot to work on over summer :)
JustJasper, I have heard a lot of positive comments about that book, may well be worth looking into it, cheers! :)
K x
 
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