stirrup/foot question...

[xrachelx]

In the past 2 weeks on one particular pony the stirrups won't stay on the balls of my feet, this never used to happen so why now? I'm not doing anything different with my legs or feet.

What can i do to cure this?

[Shizzity]

try standing up in your stirrups, this will force your weight down into your heels. Then when you sit back down, keep your leg in the same spot. you can do this at the walk, trot and canter. it really helps me.

[SharlieJumper]

Check your stirrup length. If your stirrups are too long, that may be the problem. Or they could be too short, or the saddle could be putting you in a bad position, causing to sit on your butt rather than keep weight in your heels. Otherwise, you might do a little two-point to help fix the problem.

[virtuallyhorses]

I'm betting on the stirrup length theory - is this pony any rounder than the others you ride? If so then you may need to shorten your 'normal' stirrup length to account for the wider spread of your legs :)

[Drummers mum]

is this pony any rounder than the others you ride? If so then you may need to shorten your 'normal' stirrup length to account for the wider spread of your legs

Lol, Can sympathise there!

Seriously though, I have the same problem on Drummer when I canter but I think I'm gripping with my lower leg!

[Dummer&Drummer]

virtually horses, that is great advice, you have just answered why i found it easier to ride with slightly shorter stirrups this weekend, that particular horse is much wider than the other i ride where longer stirrups dont seem to pose a problem

[horsemad]

Virtuallyhorses - thats an interesting point - I've never heard that before but it does make sense. I am prone to losing my stirrups and tend to have wobbly unstable lower legs.:o I have always tried to keep my stirrups quite long because that is the ideal in classical riding.

.....but I've come to the conclusion that the combination of my short legs and my lovely Cindy's erm...'round' belly does not make for an easy long leg classical riding position! So I tried shortening my stirrups and it did seem to make me feel more secure. I have also found that I can stand up in my stirrups ok when my stirrups are a hole shorter - with the longer length I couldn't get my balance at all. So I think I'll just give up on the 'ideal' and go with what works best for me :)