swinging leg at the rising trot...help please

[josieP]

I have a problem that I have been trying to work on since I started riding about 5 months ago.
When I post the trot my legs are not still. My instructor at the time recommended half-chaps, which I promptly purchased. They helped a little. Since then, my legs have gotten a little stronger, but they still swing. It's not a big swing, but they are not still.

Is it just that I have to strenghthen my legs or is it my position, where I have my weight? Any insights out there?

Thanks in advance for any help.

[kedwards]

It's hard to say without seeing you. It may be that you are pinching with your knee, so you aren't letting your weight fall down into your leg, or it may be that you are putting too much weight in your stirrups and sort of "standing" in them as you rise.

[josieP]

Thanks,
On Thursday at my next lesson I will bring it up with my instructor and ask her what she sees.
I dont think I'm pinching with my knees, that's not usually one of my problems.
I'm not exactly sure what you meant by 'putting to much weight in my stirrups.' But that might be my problem. Where do you support yourself when you rise at the trot? I think I do a combination of 2 things: put weight in the stirrups and use the lower part of my calf (towards the back of the calf) to squeeze and lift... I think... Is that wrong?

[Scarlett 001]

I used to have wobbly lower legs and it was due to some knee pinching I was not aware of. Sometimes my instructor still catches me doing it, although I could swear I wasn't! So you might want to get your instructor to look, just in case. ;) Is your lower leg resting on the horse's sides and staying there - it will be difficult to do this if your knees are pinching.

No other suggestions, but this could be the culprit even if you don't think it is...

Good luck! :)