Leg weakness - mine!!

[elaine@dow-evan]

I dont know if this is in the right place, but,

10 years ago I had surgery for a ruptured intervertebral disc. The operation was a complete success as far as back pain was concerned but has left me with a slightly weak left leg, and "pins and needles" in my left foot due to nerve damage. This is no problem at all in ordinary life:) but,
I have had 4 riding lessons (and one fall - not in a lesson!!) and have noticed that my left foot moves/is not secure in the stirrup in rising trot - I had to keep stopping and putting the stirrup back to the ball of my left foot not my instep. No problems at all with my right foot. Plus, when I fell the frst part of the process was realising that I had lost my left stirrup (then my balance etc etc etc.) I dont know whether all this is due to the fact that my left leg is probably weaker than the other, or that I cant really "feel" the stirrup as well with my left foot, or what...

Has anyone got any advice? (I'm not giving up riding though:D:D)
Thank you!

[Rhein]

Snap! Are you me :confused::D
It's probably a combination of all the things you mention. I don't think there is a solution, it's a case of having to live with it. The more you ride, the better your leg position will become and you will lose the stirrup less. I can't feel my left stirrup and have no idea where my leg is :rolleyes:.
Another annoying thing is that I can't regain my stirrup without bending down and putting it back on my foot by hand :rolleyes::o.

It is difficult and frustrating when something that can't be perceived by other people makes riding so difficult. I sympathise.

[Bazzie]

Snapity snap!;)
Since fracturing a vertebrae last Feb, have had same problems but higher up in right leg/thigh, and the pins and needles are in hip. Admittedly, I haven't been back in the saddle long but have found that putting on pressure with both legs at the same time is difficult, and find myself slipping sideways sometimes in trot! There are ways of adapting though. Just look at the equestrian para - olympics for some great role models of people who ride despite adversity!

[doris]

I think you'll find you get better as you have more lessons - after all, just 4 lessons is not that many, and most people will have the same problems as you are having.
You may find that having the stirrup just behind the ball of the foot is better, and will help your balance.
Try and relax (hard I know) as you will be less likely to stiffen up through the body.
Try to remember to breathe - this will help you relax. It's amazing how many riders forget to breathe and relax - me included and I first got on a horse 45 years ago.

[curlycal]

I have never had a problem with my back, but like you when first learning to ride I found my left leg weaker then my right. (I am right handed)
My left foot moved around in the stirrup a lot more, and my leg seemed to move in trot more then my right which has always felt more stable.
My leg aids also seem a lot stronger with my right leg.

It has improved over the year I have been learning, but I still think of it as my weaker leg.
So you are by no means alone, and I think you will find it will get a lot better over time.

I would be interested to know if people who are left handed have a stronger left leg?

Cal x

[Mistertron]

I have the losing the stirrups problem when making transitions so i hear you!

Although CurlyCal i find my right leg is worse and i'm right handed?!? might just be me whos exception to the rule!

I KNOW this happens because of my leg position and i KNOW to keep my heels down but still I can't help it! :p

[Silvia]

Hi! I have a wonky leg too. :) Try putting toe stoppers on your stirrups. That's safer anyway because they stop your foot from getting caught if you fall off and they give you a wider tread so you won't lose them as much.

[parsharainbow]

Hi! I have a wonky leg too.

Me too since I broke my pelvis 18 months ago - I did loads of no stirrup work on a lunge to regain my lower leg position and lots and lots of physio - I found it really hard as I was sitting wonky too - you have my total understanding - I hope you find something that works for you. I still have a problem with my left leg moving around more than my right which is very frustrating but is better than it was :)

[elaine@dow-evan]

Thanks everyone - I'm so pleased to hear its not just me, although I do recognise that 4 lessons is not that many to have and that I may well get stronger as I gain more experience. Or, possibly not...
Anyway, floods and weather permitting, lesson no 5 is tomorrow, so I'll see what happens then!

[atillathefun]

I have a weak leg myself too. Can you exercise off a horse to strengthen your weak leg

[Rhein]

There are all sorts of exercises you can do to improve weak muscles, off the horse.

However in Elaines case the "muscle weakness" will not improve because it is due to nerve damage, rather than a weak muscle per se. Nerves can regrow; but after 10 years it is probably as good as it is going to get. More riding and exercise will help other nerves and muscles to get stronger, which will help somewhat, but unfortunately it will always be a bit of a problem (though not unsurmountable ;)).

Those of you who have muscle weakness form another cause will find that the more you exercise the better the muscle strength becomes :)

[Joyscarer]

Those of you that find you are having trouble keeping your stirup may not acutully have a weak leg as such but that your calf isn't able to stretch down long enought to keep your weight in your heel and instead your weight is on your toe. When this happens then your foot tends to go through the stirup.

I tend to find this happening on one side more than the other and it is because when I apply the leg aid because my weight isn't put throught to my heel then the part of the leg I should be using to apply the leg aids isn't in contact and I raise my heel up and in to compensate.

My legs are actually in the right place but my weight is all wrong.

I am starting to do stretching execises on my stairs at home to lengthen my calf muscles to help have my muscle on the horse making the application of leg aids easier and stop me putting my foot through the stirup and losing my balance/concentration as a result.