when riding your horse, what are some ways to keep your lower leg still?

Question

My lower legs moves alot when i ride, and it bothers the hell outta me, but everything else is perfect. WHAT CAN I DO!!!!!

Answer 1

Ride without stirrus and do lots of lungeing lessons.? Do you have an instructor? Have some one work with you. You ride the hrose and have the other person lunge him. Dropyour stirrups and ride all gaits doing that. It may be that you are just weak in the legs. Which is normal. Also, when you are by yourself, stand in your stirrups as you are riding and sink all of your weight into your heels. Keep doing that longer and longer and that will strengthen your legs well.

Answer 2

hello..
I have been an experinced equestrian for more than 30 years. Lower leg position can be greatly improved by first starting with the basics.. Stand on a step with your heel lowered over the end of the step.. gradually raise and lower your leg, allowing a "pull" in the calf muscle.This first step in gaining control of the lower leg is very important. Riding with out stirrups, allow the leg to be long, will help to stretch the inner thigh and give you more stablity in the stirrup. Being too dependant on the stirrup will make you lazy and the leg will swing. Try looking up exercises on the internet for lower leg strenghtening.Reguardless of your disipline, basic dressage is great for both horse and rider and will help to built strong legs. Good Luck!

Answer 3

It seems like you aren't as balanced as you could be. I ride english, and this is something I do to tone muscle on my legs, and make sure that I am balanced. If someone looked at you riding from the side they should be able to picture a straight line going from your shoulder to your hip to your heel. This makes sure that you are correctly balanced in the saddle. Next, while the horse is moving at a walk- stand up in the stirrups and stay up. While doing this remember to relax and not fall hard back into the saddle. If your legs go back and you fall forward, you need to bring your shoulders back to correct the balance. If you can't stay up and keep falling back in the saddle, you need to bring your feet back so that they are under you a bit more. Eventually you should be able to do it in all paces, as your lower leg muscles get stronger and your balance improves.

Answer 4

After showing professionally for years the best way is to make sure that your stirrups are set right so that you have a slight bend and that it hits your feet right. your foot should sit in there right at the ball of your foot slightly turned. Then it is all about control and the muscles in your lower leg. Hope this helps and have fun!

Answer 5

Well, try to make the stirrups higher. That might keep your leg from moving. Keep it pressed against the horse's side and by the saddle, tighten the muscles in it a bit to keep it stiff, steady, but not too tense so you don't get sore.

Answer 6

pasley has the right adea. work you muscles, not your saddle or something. your leg muscles are having troubles staying "on" while youre riding.
this means that they are not stretched enough or are not strong enough.
do the stair exercise, with just the front of your foot on the stair, your heel hanging off, and try to weigh down so the back of your calf stretches, then lift yourself slowly so you are on tiptoe.

this will lengthen your muscles and make it easier to keep your heels down and your legs around your horse.

Answer 7

first of all try half chaps i had the same problem like ten years ago and somebody told me to wear half chaps so i did and i dont have any problems now. with half chaps you just put them on and they make your lower leg stuck to the horse. i was wearing them for like two years and i decided to not ride with chaps anymore and so i did and my legs were stuck there! bcoz i was so used to them being there it just became a habit it works :) theres always an easy way out of things haha :P

Answer 8

Eerrr.. I dunno.. I'm assuming you're riding western (if you were riding English, you'd have a trainer that would answer it in no time flat probably)

.. try trotting.. with a western saddle on.. and lift yer butt every other bounce.. that way you have to use your legs to hold yourself up.. I wouldn't imagine you could move your legs much if you're trying to use them to support yourself.?

Try sitting side saddle. It'd be pretty hard to move your legs a lot then! But be careful.. that aint easy !LOL

Answer 9

either concentrate on "heel down and out" to hold leg more steady - or brace your legs to your horses side more...

english or western? maybe your stirrup is too long?

Answer 10

Strap 'em down!
Lol...
idk.
Duct tape.