Leg muscles are OH NO.. gone

[Ta]

I used to have, what I thought are, pretty stong leg muscles but in recent lessons I found that my upper body is doing too much of the work and my legs just hang there. I only ride once a week due to financial restraints but I as hoping that there are non-horsey exercises that could help me re-build my leg muscles.

[Maci]

There are many off horse exercises you can do to strengthen your legs!
You could:

*run, speed walk, or jog around your block
*if you have an exercise bike at home, put it so there's some tension throughout the wheel, which makes it harder to pedal, which builds up your leg muscles. Even a regular bike will do, or you can rollerblade.
*you can always do calf raises, and hold weights in the same hand that you are raising your calf.

Have Fun!
Maci :)

[Showjumper]

Swimming's excellent for building muscles as there is absolutely no strain placed upon the body at all.
Or cycling (especially uphill!) as it exercises the upper body as well as the legs. Step ups are good (you know, like on stairs where you alternate legs going up).
YOGA is a personal favourite of mine and there are thousands of books on it.
You could buy or borrow exercise books which will give ou more ideas!