Stretching leg muscles

[james]

I have been doing some leg stretches before riding recently and have found they helped (better leg contact as legs wider and longer). Does anyone stretch for riding and if so which stretches do you find help most?

[galadriel]

I developed bursitus and have daily stretches for my hips. They do help a lot with riiding!

1) lie on stomach (I grab one of the rugs to put on the floor first), bend one knee so calf is straight up & down. rotate leg left & right. this loosens up the hips something incredible. I do this one 10x per leg.

2) sitting on flat surface (the pony's rug gets a lot of use), feet on ground, knees in front of me. hook one ankle over the opposite knee, pull thigh back till you feel a stretch in your hip. I do this one for 30sec 3x per leg.

3) standing by a wall or some such for balance; wall on right, cross right leg in front of left, bend left hip until you feel a stretch (then switch). I do this one 30 secs 2x per leg.

Now, these were given to me by my physical therapist. and I'm not sure how much a non-bursted person should stretch 'em. but they help a LOT with my hips feeling sore after riding--I stretch before & after.

[james]

Thanks for those suggestions.

Standing up:
1. I lean against a wall (straight leg) to stretch the upper calf and with knee dropped for the lower calf.
2. Whilst standing, I fold my leg behind me and pull to stretch the quad.
3. I squat like a sumo wrestler and push my hips apart & squat as deeply as is comfortable.

Sitting on the floor:
4. I put 1 leg out stright and bend the other at the knee to stretch the hamstrings.
5. I bend both legs at the knee, put the soles together and lean forwards (adductors).
6. I put one leg flat on florr, cross other leg over (bent at knee and with sole on floor) and pull this 2nd leg towards me (abductor).

#3 really has helped me to wrap my legs on well since I started it, though I would never do it at my stables as it looks so ridiculous!

[Kerry's Partner!!]

For about the last 6-8 weeks (after my two only so far lessons with Sue Carnell and after reading Heather's book) I just, at first, did some walking without stirrups (only about 2 mins on each rein) every time I rode my horse. Then I added in about 2 mins on each rein trotting without stirrups. I didn't try to position my legs in any way - just tried to let them hang and I try to move with my horse with my seat bones and hips.

Since my instructor at home (not Sue) has commented that I have developed a much deeper seat (and this is really in quite a short time) I think this has worked for me.