hiya,
i was just wondering if anyone had any tips for me on how to keep my lower legs underneath me when i ride and on how to keep my hands lower. it starting to annoy me as it has already meant that my instructor at collage hasn't entered me for my BHS stage one and he is always picking up on it.
When you get on your horse put your hand under your thigh from behind and grab all the flab and muscle and pull it to the back of your leg. This places your thigh flat against the saddle, where it should be and that will help with your lower leg. You will have to do this many times during a lesson.
If your hands are going to high it is usually because your reins are to long. Try shortening them.
I manage a barn and teach riding lessons for a living and I have a few suggestions for you. For your legs, if you have a cramp in your hip your legs are in the right position. If there is no cramp, slide your legs back until it is uncomfortable. As for your hands, I would suggest that you rest them on your horses shoulders for the time being, your knuckles just touching your horse's neck, until you make a habit of keeping your hands low where they belong. Above all else, you need to become very aware of where your body is while riding, and get into a habit of correcting your position.
a picture would be the best to help everyone understand exactly where your balance struggle is-sometimes it is your upper body leaning foreward that will through your lower leg off balance-forward or back.
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Sometimes it is your upper body as well that throws your hands high.
So does your lower leg slide forward-or slide back when you ride? If it slides forward, you are just trying to find balance through your lower leg instead of through your seat. Sit deap in your seat. Take your feet out of your stirrups and just let your legs hand there. Sit the trot and let your legs dangle. Loosen your hips, loosen your seatbones, your thigh, your knee, everything. Let your seat balance you and follow the horses movement. pretend you have no legs and you have to blance with just your seat. You cant grip with your butt and thighs because then the horse will want to stop because he can feel you stop moving with him, so just loose up and relax down into your seat. Lean back. Dont lean on your crotch.
Establish a good solid upper body and seat position-and then work on your lower leg if there is still a problem, then work on your hands. When working on your seat-if possible have someone lunge you and leg go of your reins. You dont want to be accidently pulling on the horses mouth and moving all around with your hands when you are trying to establish a seat. Try to just think about your self, and not the horse-and the only way to do that is to have someone lunge you.
OK, for keeping your hands down-unroll the billet straps on your saddle pad and hold those-not only will you be forced to keep your hands down, but it doesn't cause you to lean, or pull on the mane, or other bad habits you can pick up.
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Legs back? COMES FROM PRACTICE! Just ride in your 2-point position as much as you can, focus on really letting your heel come down (do some stair stretches).
If you can get a trainer to lounge you-learn how to post without reins. Do airplane with your arms and post ...
Also, DON'T lose the stirrups. Sit trot with the stirrups on-it will be weird, slightly scary, and uncomfortable-but you need to l earn how to connect your seat with your legs and this is the perfect exercise. It would be preferred if you were on a lounge line-and after you do the first exercise I suggested (posting without reins) ...
These are some ways I learned how to hold my position. I hope it helps
1. Ride a lot without a saddle or just without stirrups. (Best for keeping your legs underneath you.
2. Sit waaaay back. Even if you think you are sitting back as far as you can, sit back more. Especially if you are cantering.
3. Grab your horse's mane. Just be careful, because this can turn into a bad habit, too.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com Hope that helped!
