Bringing Heels Up

[HorseManiac]

When I ask echo for canter i bring my heels up! how can i stop doing this ? Please HELP!:o

[iloveshearer]

try and sit as deep in the saddle as you can, with your weight in your heels. riding without stirrups would help you to sit deeper. it probably means you are gripping with your knees.

[Bay Mare]

It's probably because you're gripping. Easier said than done but try to relax :D Ok, not helpful ;)

Think about stretching up with your top half and let your legs hang down as though they're heavy. Don't try and put them into a position as that will make you tense.

Lunge lessons are good as are short transitions. Go into canter, think about relaxing, when you start to tense up come back to trot, get yourself back together and start again :)

It will all come with practice and experience and your really are more stable and balanced when you're not gripping although it doesn't feel like that at first :)

[SarahC]

I do this too and not just at transitions and yes I am gripping upwards and with the upper part of my leg. As I put the leg aid on and my heel comes up it also pushes my bottom out of the seat slightly and alters my whole position (only minimally but its enough). This has a knock on effect.

It can be really really hard to correct but echo everyone elses comments.

I've found that working without stirrups helps...but you have to keep your leg stretched down (as Bay mare said). It can still be tempting to try and ride with your legs in the same position as if they were in stirrups, but this can result in pain and bruising to the upper thigh as well as defeating the point of the exercise! With this work, I have actually lowered my stirrups by about 3 holes over the past few months.

S

[HorseManiac]

thanks soo much guys!!! BIG help!!!!

[horselover1002]

heels down toes up. i did it too. i just practice on my horse really hard.

[teapot]

lots of no stirrup work which will help lengthen your leg and you'll find your heels will drop naturally down