Leg Position

[loopyh]

I think I know the answer to this but here goes anyway. I've had a lesson tonight which was videoed which was great because I could really see my leg position. My instructor says (and I could see if on the video) that I'm gripping with my knees which means that my calfs are too far away from the side of the horse to make any real difference. I also constantly loose my stirrups in that they slip from the ball of my foot to my instep. I am assuming that one way to fix this problem is to have some lessons on the lunge without stirrups? Anyone have any comments.

[Bay Mare]

That's one way, as long as you have a good instructor who can teach you correctly :)

Another .... there's an equisimulator in Wakefield which is used by a teacher which would also be very beneficial. I'm hoping to go up to her at some point when I get the time. It's great for your position but also for absorbing the movement in all paces and also for getting the 'feel' for things like the diagonals and canter leads.

[dilaika]

the no stirrups things is a good idea. Also, when riding with stirrups, try to think about stretching your heels not only down but in (not actually like gripping with your heels, just to get your legs to turn a bit), maybe think about turning your toes out a little bit.

[horseygirl123]

If you're gripping with your knees a good excercise to try is to open up your hips, so roll them outwards, then really let your leg hang long, trying not to push your leg forward, and put the weight into your heels.

Alot of people when they are starting out try so hard to keep heels down they push too hard and end up with their lower leg shooting forward, so try to keep a bend in your knee and your lower leg back.

It all takes time and lots of practice but you'll get there in the end ;)

[Daffy Dilly]

If you're gripping with your knees a good excercise to try is to open up your hips

Helps if you spend as much time as possible sat cross legged too. :)

[Pibstar]

Helps if you spend as much time as possible sat cross legged too. :)

oh thats a good one, i cant do that very well either!!

a tip my RI gave me was if you look down and you can see your foot then it is in the wrong position. the way to move it back is from the hip, grab your tigh with both hands and twist your tigh inwards and just let it hang. I have started doing this and praticed without strirups, i have started to rise from the hip more, my leg doesnt move as much, my horse is easy to move on as I am squeezing on her "button" (so to speak) and I am sitting back in the saddle more softly.

[PromiseMe]

It sounds like you have a really really good instructor!!
Knee-gripping is a very common bad habit... mine too. Unfortunately, I was never told about it (even though it was horrible!) until years into riding. So, sounds like you have a good instructor! :)
It makes sense that you might be losing your stirrup when you're gripping with your knee as it becomes your pivot point.

However, I do also want to say that the stirrup sliding to the ankles/heels does come with time... I promise! It used to happen to me ALL the time, and than now, less, and very rarely.

You can also keep in mind of lightly gripping with your calves. Its almost impossible to grip with BOTH your knees and calves. So if you think of gripping with your calves, your knee will pop right off (no more gripping there) and your lower leg will/should become more stabilised and closer to your horses' sides.

Hope that makes sense.

[loopyh]

Thanks for all your comments. My instructor is really good and I was lucky to get an hour one to one and the video helped as I could then see what she was getting at. She also got on for a few minutes at the end and showed me her leg position - all helps. I'll try a lunge lesson and work with no stirrups. Think I might have to resign myself to a lunge or no stirrup lesson once a month or so until I get it or at least improve. I'm fine in walk but as soon as I got into trot I can actually see my toes moving when I rise.