Heels

[GallopingWild]

Everytime I go for a ride my heels never stay down. I have tried all sorts of things but they do not like to stay down. Especially in jumping. I need different ideas for trying to keep them down. Please help!!!

[Whatanejit]

Rather than thinking heels down think 'carry my toes' - sometimes that works for me. You may also need to stretch your calf muscle. Try standing on the edge of a step and stretching your calf by letting your heels go down over the edge (don't fall off!).

It can take a long time to sort this one out so good luck.

xx

Dee

[fishiz3434]

When i was learning to jump i had this problem and my instructor said to just forget about everything eles and concentrate on heels down and everntually you wont even have to think about it!

[Mehitabel]

heels are generally a symptom of something else. mine come up when i am 'gripping up' with my thigh, instead of letting my leg hang down. sometimes people tense their calves to rise to the trot, or to give leg aids - tensing the calf makes the heel pop up too.
so you need to find out what is making them come up, and then fix that.

[LMayhewtx]

I have been working on keeping my weight way down in my heels too. It is amazing how much more balanced I feel when my weight is down in my heels. According to my instructor, when the weight is down in your heels, the horse can stumble to the ground, and you should still be sitting upright. To work on keeping my weight in the heels, I make sure my ankles are firmly against my horse side (not squeezing, but not flapping around either) and often will think of pushing my knees outwards to keep this position. I also go up into two point just riding around to help push my weight into my heels and then try to keep them that way when I sit back down. I am finding that it does take a lot of leg strength to keep my heels stretched down all the time!

[PonyMadGurlx]

What kind of boots do you ride in? Personally I think It would probably be more difficult to keep your heels down in Long boots, but I've never tried so I'm not 100% sure. But maybe they could be effecting your heels? If you think that might be the problem do you have any half chaps you can wear instead? They should be easier to keep your heels down in. You can always go back to your long boots later on =)

[Sparkie]

Long boots do affect your ability to put your heels down. I was taught to stand with your toes on a step, and let your heels drop down. It worked for me, but not sure whether it helps in the long run.

[doris]

Try not to force your heels down as this will only creat tension in your leg and hip area, both of which should be free and relaxed in order to absorb bumps and feel your horse.

[jenren!!]

I'll second that. At RS 'heels down' seems to be an exaggerated thing. You basically need the weight in your heels, but this DOESNT mean you push your heels down so far that they hurt. I see too much of this:
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b137/jenren22/general%20horsey%20pics/push_heel_down.png
When really it should look like this:
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b137/jenren22/general%20horsey%20pics/tip_toe.jpg

When they say heels down dont basically, just put more weight into your stirrup and heel, but dont push it down too far.

All i can really say is, just keep correcting yourself, and eventually they should behave and stay in the correct position :p

Jenny xxx