Left Leg Position - Help!!

[Alice25]

Recently I've noticed that the position of my left leg is all wrong. I first realised last week when out hacking Alfie, and after riding several horses in different saddles, the problem is definitely me!

When I'm riding, my lower left leg wraps quietly around him like it should, but my knee and thigh are pulled away from the saddle, leaving a giant gap between my leg and the saddle. If I then conciously make an effort to get my upper leg into the right position, it's really difficult, and I then find it impossible to get my lower leg right (if that makes sense)!! Basically, my leg doesn't seem to bend properly around Alfie, or any horse for that matter!!

Meanwhile, my right leg stays in the correct place whatever I'm doing, wrapped quietly around him, with my knee and thigh staying easily in the right position without me having to make any kind of effort!! I don't understand how my right leg does this but my left one doesn't. Can you be less flexible on one side?? Will it gradually sort itself out over time?? And is there anything I can do to help fix the problem??

Any advice would be much appreciated :)

[horsemad]

Hi Jellybaby

Well, I don't have any advice on how to solve the problem but I can tell you that you are not alone in being more flexible on one side.

With me, its my right leg that is the 'dodgy' one - I find it just about impossible to wrap my right leg round the horse, and my toes on that side stick out to the side. I also have more problems keeping my right leg still, I lose my stirrup more on that side....so it is definitely my 'bad' side. I think in my case, the problem comes from my right hip - not sure if this is the same in your case too.

[Sassafras]

I have a similar problem with my left leg - it wiggles around more than the right because it's weaker, a result of an old injury. What I found helps me is concentrating on position at the walk, doing some trotting without the right stirrup - for some reason this is much harder but is getting great results for strengthening the left leg. Last night while hacking I finally felt I had contact with the left leg during most of the ride - much better result than in the past.
I also just came across something on Galadriel's website about Pointing Toes in that I think may help you with your "knee gap" problem.
Good luck!
http://lorienstable.com/articles/riding/300-toes/

[Alice25]

Thanks horsemad and Sassafras - it's nice to know I'm not the only one who has this problem :)

The trotting without the right stirrup is a good idea Sassafras - I'll try it when I ride tonight! Horsemad, now that I think about it, my left foot is always the one which I would lose a stirrup, have it slip up my foot, etc, so it must be my "bad" side. I'm not sure why though - I've never really injured my leg or hip. Although I did break my left ankle a few years ago, which put my leg out of action for a bit. I don't know if that could affect my leg position after all this time though...

[Leksi]

When I rode saddleseat (before dressage) I noticed my left leg was "weird" too. Riding dressage and hunter/jumper for the past 12 years, it has totally gone away. It can be very easy to fix.

Try schooling in an arena one day, and ride around at the walk in two-point after you and your horse are warmed up. Rest your hands in front of the saddle so you can keep your balance for a while, and really feel your legs stretch under you, concentrate on feeling your ankles go further down, stretch all the way down and picture the tension leaving through the bottoms of your feet. Make sure your bum is not behind or in front of the saddle, but lifted above it as if you were jumping. You want your legs to be supporting you, directly beneath you.

Now sit back down, slowly, keeping the nice flexion in your ankles. You should find after a few sessions that your leg will stay. If not, get back up in two point and try again. Correct yourself every time to feel that flexion, this is what keeps your legs nice and extended, giving you the correct support. If you still find it difficult, lengthen your stirrups a hole so you KNOW that you have to extend to maintain the support in your legs. (if you jump, make sure you shorten them back up, but don't jump high until your legs are correctly placed and a good support system!) Try two-point at the trot as well. The two-point will help you have that nice natrual bend in your knee, extension of the lower leg, and good contact with the horse.

With your ankles flexed (ankles down, toes up) and your legs beneath you (you shouldn't be able to look down and see your toes in any dressage or huntseat), your legs are automatically going to be correct. As you post, feel the weight in your ankles, and your leg will automatically extend. Use saddles with good knee rolls to help your leg stay in the right place. I wouldn't use a close-contact saddle until your leg is "trained"! :p (Even if you ride western, english training and schooling can greatly improve your seat and balance. I used it for my barrel horses and students, and still recommend basic dressage training for any discipline.)

I hope this helps!

[Alice25]

Thanks Leksi, that's really good advice!! I'm glad there is something I can do about it and it can be "fixed"! :D I'll try it when I have my lesson at the weekend!

[Leksi]

Sassafrass, I really like that link you gave, that's something good to post up in the tack room!

And best of luck to you, Jellybaby. It's a pretty easy habit to fix, no worries!