Any recommendations for strengthening the legs?

[Teasels_Mum]

Hi all, I'm new to the forums but thought I would stick my head above the parapet and ask for some advice. I started riding again about a year ago after a 24 year break :eek: - and am even more addicted to horses and riding now than I was when I was a teenager!

My main problem (well one of them) , even though I ride every day and am not unfit, seems to be that my legs are just not strong enough to keep up with all the 'pushing the horse into the contact' - has anyone got any advice for strengthening the leg, and for giving legs more stamina?

[baxter]

alternate work between jumping stirrups, dressage length and no stirrups... hacking is a good way to strengthen legs without realising... and just time and practice... stretch before and after to avoid pain also.:)

[Whatanejit]

Rising trot without stirrups!:eek:

I can still hardly walk from Sunday.:p

[teabiscuit]

the leg muscles you use in riding arn't often used at other times so riding and more riding works.
try this: lie on the floor on your side, keep your body straight, raise your upper most leg up and down slowly whilst keeping the leg straight, swap sides (it hurts if you do it right:) ).
also yoga exercises for suppleness help, they're quite complicated to describe though.I'll find out the names and you can look them up :)

[Mehitabel]

how about looking to go at it from the other edirection, and ask the horse to go from lighter aids? it shouldn't take an enormous amount of strength unless your contact is too firm or you are doing the work for the horse and reall y holding it together. being thoroughly lazy, i don't like to hold the horse up together, i like the horse to do that itself.

if the horse is not forward thinking - either naturally or because it is backing off the bit for various reasons, then it does need a lot of leg to keep it in front of the leg and persuade it to go into a contact - but that's not ideal.

[teapot]

lots of trotting in your jump position whilst hacking in your jump length stirrups and NO rising to the trot either - just "hover" does wonders for your legs and ankles.

I used to accompy a lot of hacks and I always used to do whilst trotting. It does work wonders

[teabiscuit]

oooh yes teapot that's a good one.
good yoga exercises for supple hips- the spinal twist, the triangle and the forward bend and variations.
also some exercises to help balance- the eagle, the crow and the headstand.
all good for body awareness and control :)
i wish i had more time to do yoga, it really helps my riding.there is a website that talks about yoga and riding, might be worth a google

[Hanamoon]

After my sorry display of sitting trot yesterday my RI recommended yesterday that I get a Thighmaster....

[teabiscuit]

ooo whats a thighmaster?

[Hanamoon]

It's some sort of contraption they used to advertise on late night TV info-mercials where you have some sort of spring-loaded thingummy that rests between your thighs and you have to squeeze your thighs together to close it. I think they were sold by actress Suzanne Sommers.... anyway clearly not something you want your instructor shouting across the ring at you!

[kelsey]

Get one of those stability exercise balls and squeeze it between your calves when you are watching TV....you do need to have strong leg muscles to give light aids, as they give you more control of your leg

[Bay Mare]

Pole dancing :)

[Teasels_Mum]

Many thanks to you all for your excellent ideas :)
I think I may give the pole dancing a miss though!

[Bay Mare]

I think I may give the pole dancing a miss though!


Aw, why? It's great fun and IS good for the legs, the arms, the tummy, the back .... :D

[Teasels_Mum]

I'm sure it's excellent for the physique..... and I'm sure my other half would appreciate it! Maybe I'm dismissing it too quickly ;-)

[horselover1002]

jogging is how i keep my legs strong

[Just.Jump]

I had that problem during the summer- I was working really very hard to oush my mare through the bit and keep her from squirting out and letting her shoulders fall out from her outline- I simply couldn't keep it up because it was either constant holding or constant controlled bumping from the legs, etc.

My suggestion is to do alot of long distance running. It builds muscle, and definately adds stamina. As soon as the snow melts here I'm throwing myself outside and running my 7 km track. Hoping to kick it up to ten km by summertime and do a terry fox run in the autumn ^.~

[Abi B]

Are you sure its your legs and not just a lazy horse? My legs kill me after riding my friends cob because he is a lazy little Bu***r. You shouldn't have to constantly push your horse forward into the contact, not so much that it strains your legs. If I were you I would try riding with a schooling whip to reinforce your leg aids.

[jUmPingIsLifE]

Ice skating!!! i didn't even notice how well it was keeping me in shape but after 2 weeks of non stop icehockey over vacation i went to go for a run for the first time in months and didn't break a sweat after 3 miles haha. and once spring rolled around after hockey and running i never had a problem getting a horse to get moving:p

[joosie]

Definitely jogging!

[kedwards]

Honestly, if you feel like you have to use more leg strength than you have available to get the horse forward and into contact, then the problem lies elsewhere. It shouldn't take strength at all.

Leg strength will be important for keeping yourself out of the saddle if you are galloping or jumping, but actual leg strength shouldn't be needed to send a horse forward.

A "strong leg," in that context doesn't really imply leg strength at all, but a balanced seat, good timing, and "correct" use of aids.

Exercises involving core body strength can help to deepen the seat and improve the connection between seat and hands. Work on the longe can help to learn to isolate aids, as well as to improve balance and position. It may also help to work on timing of aids, so that forward aids are given when the horse's inside hind is rising. It may also be that the horse needs a few sharpening up lessons where he is immediately sent forward strongly if he ignores a light aid.

[EquestrianRider]

Do lots of 2-point work around the arena, do no-stirrups work, and (if your trainer is with you) try standing in the stirrups. Don't be afraid to grab a martingale strap or mane).

Most likely, you'll find with more time and riding that your leg muscles will gradually build back up. Good luck!!

[LouHarvey]

I used to do whole hour lessons (three times a week) standing in my stirrups in walk, trot and canter to help build up my lower leg. Then it moved to doing whole hours in jumping position, now I have a great lower leg which I hone by doing at least two hours of bareback/no stirrups work a week. It's bloody hard work but definatley worth it!

[Fluffey]

After my sorry display of sitting trot yesterday my RI recommended yesterday that I get a Thighmaster....

I don't think this is good advice. If you are grasping on with your thighs, this is not correct riding and could be the reason why your horse is not going forward. You should not be strong in the thigh area, you should be loose and have contact at the calf area only. You do not need stronger thigh contact!

Some great exercises for this are done on the lunge line, with no stirrups. At the walk, and trot, ride with your legs doing a marching motion - up and down (but not tight against the horse). This will help your thighs from grabbing on to the horse.

One of the top level dressage riders in this area told me you cannot get in good shape for riding by riding alone. I always thought this was good advice, even if I don't always follow it.

Good luck!