Keeping weight on inside of stirrups

[Em 1]

I had another lesson last night and although the tuition was much better, my riding was awful! It was a jumping session - only small fences but I couldn't get it together at all. I must have looked like it was the first time I'd ever seen a pole!

Anyway one of the biggest problems was that my stirrups kept slipping and twisting so the inside of the stirrup was up by my big toe and the outside was by my heel. Part of the problem was that I was gripping with my knees because I was tired and tense and had hurt my hip last lesson. However, my instructor commented I needed to keep more weight on the inside of the stirrup. Although I know what she means I just don't seem to be able to do it. My feet naturally tip outwards. Does anyone have any tips or exercises to help me keep them level? Is this a problem other people have and how have you solved it?

Many thanks.

[TBEventer2002]

I walk on the outside of me feet, so this is something I deal with as well. :) I also find that, because I put more weight on the outside of my stirrup (unconciously, mind you), my stirrups sometimes slip around a bit.

Something that I find helps me is either ride for a while without stirrups to get a longer leg & drop you heel (this helps stabilize your foot in the stirrup), shorten your stirrups, or just keep trying. If you can get your heel down, that should help a lot. Since it sounds like your bringing your upper leg away from the saddle because of your injury, I would try to think of bringing your lower leg away from the horse's side a bit. That will naturally bring your thighs in contact with the saddle and thereby drop the weight into the stirrup.

I actually find that riding with the outside branch of the stirrup against my little toe and the ball of my foot on the stirrup is VERY uncomfortable and highly insecure. That just happens to be my shape. :)

Good luck!

[FreedomStar]

Are you riding with the stirrups on your feet correctly?? If the stirrup is a bit large for you then the extra should be on the outside of your foot, and your foot more towards the inside of the stirrup.

[easyhorsecare]

Make sure that your stirrups are short enough for you when jumping. Put them up two holes from your normal riding length will help to keep a better position for jumping.
Try riding around in the 'jumping position' for a while before doing any jumps and feel where you weight is on the stirrup.
Keep the stirrup on the balls of your feet and a little more weight into your heels. Peep down so that you can see your feet facing forward.
Hope this helps.
From Tracy