weak left leg

[Portia]

Have been very determined and made myself start riding again, in part so that when I'm off for the riding confidence clinc in March I can identify what my issues actually are (think I may know already :o).

What I've noticed over the past weeks is that my left leg is very weak. By that, I mean that when squeezing to walk forward, pressure's fine with right, but on the left I just cant seem to get knee/ankle/ foot into the correct position to have any effect! And if I loose a strirrup, it's always the left.

Can anyone offer any advice or excercises? Thankfully Mrs B's very good - mostly (is respectful of daughter on board, but is working out that I am easy to dislodge!), and responds to voice command as much as leg pressure but this is becoming a problem for me :(

[Fanshawe]

Might be worth seeing a Physio/osteopath/chiropracter etc. Could be that you need something correcting so that you can then build up the strength. Not unusual to be stronger one side than the other. Very few people are even both sides!

[xloopylozzax]

my mum had the same problem. she broke both bones in her lower leg in 2 places- they were sticking out of her leg (horse incident obviously:D)
she found it really really hard so carried a long schooling whip in that hand to back up her leg and then started wearing a spur so that the horse wouldnt take advantage (was been broken in at the time)
she just worked harder on it and built up the muscle again
as with everything else its just time

hope this helps

[Karen/Folly]

Hey - dont worry! An awful lot of people are 'right sided', i.e. right handed & therefore right side of your body is stronger than left!

You will be suprised how many horses are weaker on their left rein, due to riders!

I have the same problem & really have to work & sinking my weight into my left heel on the left rein, but not collapsing or leaning my upper body!

Just wanted to let you know you are not by any means alone with this problem!!!! :D

[Portia]

Thanks Karen :).

I'm just not very good, thats all. It's not physiological - am fairly fit, run three times a week etc, but just cannot seem to apply pressure with the left leg; no matter how much I try, it seems to just hang there like a ham hock!

Think I just need to ride her more...and therein lies the problem!

[jenmac_85]

I am the same, although I am left handed!!!!

Tyler and I are both weak on our left sides. I find it more difficult to co-ordinate and also squeeze with my left leg. Takes alot fo concentration!!

I am trying to focus on my left side a bit more and work on leg exercises, but it is still a pain in the butt.

[white_sky]

My left legs weaker than my right. A lot of the school horses i ride always fall through their left shoulder because i can't apply enough pressure with my left leg.

I think concentrating on building your left leg muscles up will help.
Don't forget about your right leg though, or you'll be in same position but weaker on your right. :D