Riding problems - leg position

[Casey76]

OK OK, I've now been riding 4 months (or there abouts), only once a week for a half hour private lesson. For the past 4 weeks this has been for 1 hour private lesson. Howeve my leg position seems to be getting worse :( :rolleyes:

First of all I ride with my stirrups really long, like when I stand up in the stirrups I'm still only about 3 inches off the saddle, but I still feel secure and always had a steady pressure on the stirrups.

In trot my leg position is getting worse and worse. I know my legs are 'pinging' when I'm rising, but I don't know how to correct this. I mean I'm not rising to high as my bum hardly leaves the saddle. I do use the motion of the horse to push me out of the saddle, and I'm not landing heavily or anything. consequently I'm finding it more and more difficult to nudge with every stride, and my legs are falling behind the movement almost.

Secondly whenever I see myself in the menage mirrors me feet look hideous, like they're really pointing out to the side, but my instructor has never said anything about my foot position. When I try to make then point forward my elbows stick out :rolleyes: :o I can't win. I don't know if it's because of my bad hip, but I've always walked funny even before my accident (all the weight on the outside of my heel, so my feel stick out when walking, and my knees aren't really aligned with my thighs).

Thirdly in canter, although I really enjoy it, it still terrifies me, so although I can now usually go three laps round the arena without falling back into trot (and I'm now supposed to be learning 'feel' and 'control') I'm still hanging on for dear life and my legs are clamped to the horses side. the oustide leg my toes are straight down, and although the stirrup never moves it just feels ungainly after concentrating on all this 'heels down' (although I try and concentrate on toes up) business.

Finally (phew!:rolleyes: ). I'm never sure if my feet are in the correct position in the stirrup. :o Usually the stirrup tread is directly underneat the widest part of the ball of my foot - is this correct. Any further forward, although I can get better flexion in my ankles for the heels down I feel completely unsafe and unbalanced (and my feet 'ping' even more than before).

Not sure whether I'm looking for advece (but it's ver welcome:D ) or I'm just having a rant.

You'd think I'd be better at this by now

[Piaffe]

Hey! - you've only been doing this for 4 months!!!! Thats no time at all.

Have you discussed all this with your instructor? - I feel you should possibly print out your post and discuss these things with her/him.

Have you tried shortening your stirrups just a little? although you say you feel secure, if your stirrups are too long, you'll always be 'reaching' for them, therefore your lower leg will be insecure and will move.

You will find shorter stirrups will give you more control and a more secure seat in canter as well - unless you are riding in a dressage saddle which will automatically put you in the 'correct' position and therefore allow you to ride longer.

If you have an old injury which interferes with your walking, it will also interfere with your riding, particularly if the problem is hip, knee or ankle. You may find that with regular riding, the muscles may be 'retrained' to put your leg in the correct position.

Your feet sound as though they are in the correct position.

Don't beat yourself up - you should be pleased with your progress after only 4 Months!!

:) :) :)

Please speak to your instructor - we all have our bad days/weeks/months - I am sure she will be able to help you further!