Stirrup Horrors...

[Maisie]

*Groan* :( I'm having a bad time...my instructor refuses to let me ride with my stirrups at a comfortable length, and insists on letting them down to 'stretch the leg'. But I don't see how I can stretch that leg without hollowing my back and altogether making it a very uncomfortable ride for the horse. I goofed up everything because of the stirrup length, even things like rising trot...but am I right? I mean, dressage is about long legs and stuff, but it's so uh...sudden to be riding that long! :( Somebody help! Does anyone have the same problem here?

[Jo]

Hi

Well, there's riding long and riding long! As a rule, you should ride as long as you can while maintaining your balance. There's no point in having your leathers long if you tilt forward as a result. Your leg should lengthen, though, as you become more experienced. This is a sign of your improving balance and your ability to relax in the saddle (gripping up with the legs will result in lost stirrups).

Bear with your instructor as she knows your riding better than you do. It may be that the longer length will suddenly seem more comfotable when you are used to it.

[Maisie]

Well, my leg HAS lengthened somewhat since I started riding last year, but that day's stirrup length was really the pits...I was practically tip-toeing on it to keep my leg in it!

[fionahogg]

Hi
It does sound as if your stirrups are a little too long. Try letting them down gradually over a period of weeks and do lots of trotting without stirrups and bareback riding the latter I find really good. May be Heather will also say something to help you

[LindaAd]

Have you discussed it with the instructor, Maisie? If he or she is the sort you feel you can't ask about things, perhaps you should be thinking about getting a new instructor?

[Wally]

All that will happen by lengthening the stirrups too long too quickly is you will loose you balance and you will become stiff and tense throughout. Have them so you are happy. If your instructor isn't, well she's the one who is going to have to moderate he teaching tecniques to accomodate your particular problem. Every trick does not work with every person.