heels

[Horsegal014]

I have an awful problem of not being able to keep my feet in the stirrups, I ride a lot without stirrups so I have problems keeping weight in my heels to keep them where they should be. I have tried raising them and lowering them but nothing has worked, any ideas??

[IrisSilverMoon]

i think you're just going to have to practice at it.

i spent almost a year riding just about exclusively without stirrups, so when i went back i couldn't keep my feet in them for the life of me...:o

it just took a lot of time to remember how to use them correctly so that they could sort of slide on or off at my will and my position wouldn't change..:)

[FreedomStar]

heels should be down down down!! You want to be sure your heels aren't slipping up, as they probably area. Then the stirrups can fall forward off your foot, and you are left clinging to the saddle. Also, make sure the stirrups are a comfortable length. if they're too long, then they'll definitely be falling off. Too short and you'll get cramped.

[virtuallyhorses]

If you ride a lot without stirrups and then have problems when you take them back you need to have a good review of what you're doing without them! Once you take your stirrups back you should generally feel like your stirrups are a little short and they should stay in place easily. If not then this means that you are doing something a little peculiar when riding without - this could be gripping with your knees, pointing with your toes or curling up your lower leg. Ask someone to take a photo of you when you are riding without stirrups and you should be able to spot the problem - or have a lesson with a good instructor to have them tell you what's going on.

To check your stirrup length - allow your leg to hang loosely (with a correct angle at your knee NOT a straight leg) and then see if you can slip into your stirrup by raising your toes - you shouldn't have to look or muck around much. If you are reaching for the stirrup then its not the right length.

[Torny]

I'm sorry, I have to disagree with the heels 'Down Down Down' thats far from being right. Not only is it uncomfortable but ramming your heels down takes your leg away from the horse and makes your toes point outwards in an awkward manner. Not to mention it doesn't look good to an onlooker.

The only thing I can think of is your stirrups may be too long so your reaching for them, or, you need to work on your position, possible even muscle strength if you find your leg moves a lot.
It's a bit hard to say without seeing you, but hope what I have said has helped.

I mean no disregard to FreedomStar, Sorry :(

[welshcoblady1]

hi horsegal , the worst thing you can do is force your heels down
as this tips your pelvice back ward and tips your upper body forward , and puts you on the back of the saddle and by doing this you are unable to have a shoulder hip and heel alinement .

when mounted have the bottom of the stiirup almost level just be low your ankle bone ,, you can alter if need ,,.
when riding sit upright with your tummy leading ,and with no gripping of the top or lower leg ,let your leg come down from your hip nice and heavy and relaxed around your horse ,
by keeping your leg long from your hip and letting your calf and ankle be your suspention you will keep the weight down through your leg and your heel will naturaly be slightly lower but with out force.
if you grip to stay on or apply leg aids ,this will push you away from your horses back and to counteract this ,you will bring your leg up away from your horse thus lose your stirrups.

also if you ride with a supple lower back and let your weight come down through your leg you will feel more comfortable and your horse will move more freely as you will be moving with your horse rather than against him.
best wishes .

[makebelieve]

Actually, the best thing for keeping your heels down in to stretch before you ride! Try it next time you depart for your lesson, and see what I mean. Most people probably think its weird, but it works 100%, I guarantee. Stretch your calf muscles by bending down w/o bending your knees. There are a million and one excersises for stretching. Take a good 10 minutes to stretch.

The rider in my class has that habit too, but she stretched beforehand today, and there was such a difference! The horse was even more willing to respond.