Ouch!

[Princess Filly]

Whenever I ride, my right calf always cramps up. At first I thought it was because my stirrups were too short. I've been riding with my stirrups longer, but it hasn't made a difference. I try to stretch it out and build up my muscles, but I can't seem to find anything that works! And it's only the right calf! Has anyone had a similar problem or have any ideas?

[DebO]

You must be forcing your calf muscle to stretch somehow, think about how you rest your feet in the stirrups and how you use your legs. You should just rest your foot in the stirrup and not force your heel down.

I used to do ballet as a kid and I know that if I really point my toes now, one toe will get cramp and bend down! Really hurts, but I am forcing my toes.

[FreedomStar]

don't force your muscle to stretch out. it'll just cramp up more. Before you ride, stretch a lot, and then when you ride, forget about ** muscle ever cramping up. It might be because you're gripping with your leg. ask your instructor.

[Esther.D]

I have a leg that gets pins and needles after riding - it also shakes sometimes and that foot keeps wanting to face outwards rather than forwards! I know this is no help with your cramp but if anyone has any ideas it would help...:)

[supergirl]

You may be leaning your weight into the right stirrup try riding to stirrups as this will help your legs strtch from the hip and get eitheer s friend or your instructor to watch you ride away from them to see if your leaning hope this helps

[Esther.D]

That sounds like a good idea, supergirl, I hadn't thought of that...I will ask my instructor next time I ride

[supergirl]

this tends to help and if all of that fails check saddle (it may need restuffing) i had the same sort of problem jumping with cramp in the ankle and thought it was strange because when doing dressage practise no stirrups it wouldnt happen and then it dawned on me!

[tarkia]

Try some work without stirrups, then take your stirrups back but have them quite long so it seems like you don't have stirrups, your aim is to keep your weight in the saddle and go with the movement of the horse so you don't end up bouncing around everywhere!

[Cochise]

i get pins and needles in my toes quite often when riding. I put it down to bad circulation. any ideas?