Horseback riding without stirrups?????

Question

ok, i put this question in the general sports section and it wasnt working so ill try it here. my horseback riding trainer is on a big "no stirrup" kick. i have been with 3 different trainers in the last year and they all have different ways on how to do no-stirrup work. should i just let my legs dangle down, or should i hold them as if i had stirrups? my trainer now says they should dangle down, i trust her judgement, she is a olympic level rider, but still. (just a FYI, i would like the answer to be directed toward a H/J rider). thanks!

my trainer does pritty much everything, she used to jump when she was younger and now is an olympic level dressage rider. i dont have my toes pointed down, my heels are actually down. but as i am a jumper, im used to short stirrups, so having my legs almost straight feels weired. im asking if ishould hold my legs as if i had stirrups or just relax them (as long as i have my heels down)

Answer 1

Riding without stirrups is for "Balance" you need to find it as well as strengthening your leg muscles. The proper position is to relax your leg , sink deep in your seat bones relaxed and simply point your toes up. You will be just fine.... Its the best thing for you hopefully she will have you in a 2 point without stirrups as well.... great riding comes from great pain and dedication

Answer 2

Generally, you should hold your position as if you had stirrups.
You should go through trial and error. If you had to show that way, what would look better to you? Dangling toes or heels down?

Now on the other hand -
I'm going to assume that you have a jumper trainer ...if you notice pictures of some famous riders the majority of them have very poor equitation.

Now, if you have a dressage trainer, they may/may not use the term "dangle" in stretching your legs down, and not necessarily mean to say that it's alright if your toes dangle towards the ground.

Answer 3

I think if you let your legs dangle you will lose contact with the knee rolls of the saddle and get thrown out of position.

I rode w/out stirrups over jumps in my younger days and would maintain position as if I still had stirrups. We did this as a strength and balance building exercise.

I'm pretty sure in a show class you would be expected to keep proper leg position. Your trainer may just be trying to teach you better balance though - ask her why one style over the other. You do work muscles differently w/longer leg vs shorter leg.

Answer 4

Your trainer may have a good reason for having you dangle your legs. Personally I put my legs in the natural grove that forms right behind the shoulder. Right where the ribs meet the front legs. From there, with good practice, you can even post bareback off the shoulders while the ribs keep you from slipping back.

However, an Olympic level trainer should know that and may have other reasons why she wants you to let the legs dangle. Ask her, you may learn some valuable advice.

Best of Luck!

Answer 5

I think U should ride however U feel comfortable. You'r the 1 riding, NOT the horse!!! U should take every precaution NOT 2 fall off. When I was riding an unfamiliar horse OR pony I ALWAYS used not only the stirrups, but ALSO the buck girth on a western saddle until I knew good & well that the animal wasn't gonna throw me. different ppl have different ways of handling, so go w/ yer gut feeling.

Answer 6

it's very good to ride without stirrups b/c it biulds up strength and balance on the horse.
And going along on that key it is deffinatly best to ride with your legs in postion as if your riding with stirrups.... b/c hanging your legs down enables the rider to wraps their legs around the horses belly..... but like you said, trust your trainer. She's the one training you, not someone on Yahoo Answers. :D

Answer 7

Each way will build up different muscles. I don't ride english, but I do ride without stirrups to build up leg muscles. Try doing one way, then try doing it the other way and see which one you like better. It will depend on how much muscle and where it is in your legs to decide which one is easier, so maybe you want to try that for a while and when you get confident try doing the other way and buidling up your other muscles.

Answer 8

I have an ex-racing thoroughbred. We both needed to get into shape when we decided that we were going to start competing in Jumping. Now, 2 things that helped me gain muscle and stamina was 2-point bareback; Something about that, you have to be cantering or galloping or else your basically just 2 pointing standing still the faster paces have you gripping tighter and working harder to stay on; and the other thing Ride backwards bareback; always wear a helmet for this, but i jumped backwards bareback and i galloped the same way it works your stomach muscles and your butt, thigh, and calve muscles. For your horse, Back him up-hill. If walking up-hill forwards works your horse, imagine backing him up it. I backed my horse (Blue) up hills daily, 4 times a day (It wasn't a large hill, the larger the hill the less you do it daily) , do 20 minute trotting sessions, cantering will strain his muscles and tire him out, you want him in shape trotting does tire but not as quickly and his feet are moving quickly; *Use Cavalli sets, make him pick up his feet. And lastly, LOUNGE LOUNGE LOUNGE. saddle him and lounge him, over jumps and small obstacles, and canter him. I hope this helps, I had to do this all myself with little internet help.

Answer 9

I did horse-riding for years and was in training for my BHS Stages. As stirrup-free riding is part of the curriculum, I was given lots of lessons including it. And gosh it can hurt if you're too stiff, haha!

Anyway, the best way to do it is keep your legs as long as possible, slightly tucked round the horse's belly. This is to lower your centre of gravity- if you tuck your legs up then you're more top-heavy and likely to lose balance.
You should also aim to keep your heels pointed down and inwards- like when they are in the stirrup- this encourages a better position when you do have stirrups and helps you keep your legs stretched long.

Keep your upper body supple, and don't let your legs swing. With practice it does get easier, good luck!

Answer 10

Stretch your legs down and around your horse. This is not an exercise to develop leg position but one to develop your seat. It will teach you to sit deeper in your saddle and feel what the horse is doing beneath you better, and how to influence him with your seat aids. It may be a dressage type exercise, but it will definitely improve your riding in any discipline.