Keeping your legs on the horses side...Help!

[Sunkist]

Ye-up, It's me again!
I need help on this- "Keeping your legs on the horses side"
I really need help on this, this is one of my PRIME problems.
I just can't seem to keep my legs nice and steady, they are usually lose. Though I try to keep them there but I just can't get the hang of it... :(
Any advise?

[Bertie]

have you tried taking your stirrups away? I find this is a really good way to help me concentrate on my general leg position as your not having to worry about your foots position in the stirrup, if you feel comfortable with no stirrups especially in trot I find it really helps with keeping my leg still but with a contact should I need to push my horse forward.

Good luck :)

[Hallmarked]

It could be that you are a bit stiff in your hip joints and/or lower back.

If you are tight in your hips then it seems to have an effect lower down your leg and cause them to move about. You want to have your whole leg draped down the horse's side, like a wet rag, soft but sticky;)

If this is indeed the problem then you will find regular stretching, eg something like Pilates excercises, benefitial such as in this link.

http://www.horsemagazine.com/CLINIC/Fitness/part2/lisa_part2.html

[Sunkist]

It could be that you are a bit stiff in your hip joints and/or lower back.

If you are tight in your hips then it seems to have an effect lower down your leg and cause them to move about. You want to have your whole leg draped down the horse's side, like a wet rag, soft but sticky;)

If this is indeed the problem then you will find regular stretching, eg something like Pilates excercises, benefitial such as in this link.

http://www.horsemagazine.com/CLINIC/Fitness/part2/lisa_part2.html

Oh! Thank you so much! I do some exercises but these could help me more.
And I love the way how you put it "A wet rag, soft but sticky" I'll keep that one in mind!

I looked in some pictures when i'm doing sitting trot without stirrups my feet went back. With stirrups I sometime put to much weight in my heels which bring them forward. *sigh* I have so much to work on...sometimes I think I'm not good enough to ride.. :eek:which makes me so sad cause I love horses so much. :D

Thank you all for all your good information!
God Bless!

[Joyscarer]

I have so much to work on...sometimes I think I'm not good enough to ride.. :eek:which makes me so sad cause I love horses so much. :D


Consider yourself slapped :D

We all have our problem areas and aspect of our riding that we want to improve on.

Even the top riders still need lessons so quit putting yourself down ;)

[Sunkist]

Consider yourself slapped :D

We all have our problem areas and aspect of our riding that we want to improve on.

Even the top riders still need lessons so quit putting yourself down ;)

:D Hehehe thanks that really made my day :D :D :D :D :D :D

[Sunkist]

My lesson on Molly last Thursday was absolutely amazing. I couldn't believe how well it went! I felt so calm, relaxed, and Molly jumped every jump we had to go over- I couldn't believe it... Thank You Lord!
:D
Thank you all!

Practice, practice, practice. :D

[Welshgirl]

Sunkist, as has been said many time 'practice makes perfect' however, if you want t o cut corners, Robinsons do a training aid to keep the legs on the girth! you could try that!