The Horse Forum banner
Status
Not open for further replies.

omg!!!! what is causing this???

4K views 23 replies 12 participants last post by  XxemmafuriaxX 
#1 ·
i have just started doing classes and my instructor i always having to tell me off aboutmy left foot :? my toe goes outwards my right foot is fyn its just my left, im getting really frustrated!!! whats making it stick out? :-| has anyone else had this problem? my styrups are in the right place and the rest of my posture is fine, just my stupid toe wants to be a pansy haaha.
any advice is very very welcome lol thanks:D
 
#3 ·
I would guess part of your problem is you are naturally stronger on your right side so you turn your left leg out in an attempt to squeeze with the back of your leg.

Keep practicing and you will become more aware of it and the problem will go away.
 
#4 ·
aaahhh its so annoying and frustrating!! there are moments that i think my foot is fine and my instructor says emma your foot! it just makes me sooo angry lol also im thinking soo much on my damn foot sometimes i forget other simple things! like my leads and its just getting to me now!
 
#5 ·
Work on strengthening your ankles and legs on the left side. I've never had this particular problem, but strengthening the muscles definitely can't hurt. It's like Alwaysbehind said, you're probably compensating for your weaker leg muscles on the non-dominant side.
 
#7 ·
Do you have any history of ankle injuries. Previously stretched ligaments will not return the their original length/structure or whatever you choose to call it. I have had multiple injuries to my ankles so my ankles now automatically roll outwards. It causes even more injuries and also means I have to really focus on keeping my feet in the correct position. They always want to put the pressure on the outside of my foot, which gives me some really funky looking foot positions when I forget about it.

I'm trying to track down the article about the different types of ankle and their affect on riding position...
 
#8 ·
no ive never broken a bone in my life ......yet! ****(touch wood) ive tryed keeping it straight doing everyday things like when sat on a chair i keep it faceing forward, to see it i lack muscle strength on that side of my ankle... lol my instructor blames it on me riding in a western saddle for the last few months, as i feel safer on it when working with furia. i dont know i will keep you posted as i have a lesson in about an hours time ...
 
#10 ·
well i do remember being told to walk properly as a child, as instead of walking heel to toe, i would walk from the outside of my foot to the inside. so maybe it is just something wrong with my feet, also my ankles colapse to the side alot becasue of the way i walk haha maybe i should be takling that at the same time haha
 
#11 ·
Bingo. The collapsing to the side is exactly what I am talking about. Try strapping your ankle on the outside of your boot. The extra support should help you to get a feel for how your foot should sit in your stirrup.

The collapsing says to me that the ligaments in your ankles have been stretched out and are no longer supporting your ankle the way they are meant to. Adding the support using a brace or bandages should help. You may be able to train your foot to do it without the strapping eventually, but if you don't already have them I would invest in some long boots for constant riding support too.
 
#15 ·
Adding the support using a brace or bandages should help.
Thank you for this! I have the exact same problem, always have. My middle name IRL is Grace, and my husband jokes that my parents jinxed my by naming me such as I'm the world's greatest clutz. I trip over thin air...literally. I've fallen and my ankles have buckled so many times, I'm certain the ligaments aren't as they should be. This clears up a lot of things for me. Thank you!! I will def. be investing in a brace for both of my ankles and hope that it helps.
 
#13 ·
You can use one of those stretchy band things( I think they are called Bali bands?) and lay on your back, raise your leg with the band around the underside of your foot (held in both hands) and stretch your toe out for 10 repetitions to strengthen the muscles in that leg also try one leg squats. Do a few sets a day and you will build up the muscle so you can control it better.

You probably just have a wonky ankle. Talk to your trainer, explain that you are having trouble physically with the foot so she doesnt keep harping about it.
 
#14 ·
well i had a lesson last night and she said i am doing a lot better but there was one point i was thinking i had my foot perfect, and she said emma your foot, and it was physicaly imposible for me to turn it in any further! lol so i think she has actually realised i do try and i do want to do it perfect but theres just something.....diferent about my left ankle hahah i think ill get there it will just take me a little bit more time i will be practising between lessons on furia. thanks everyone!
 
#20 ·
ok sorry i havent been back have been hectic!!! im changing riding school as my teacher RELLY annoyed me on tuesday but thats another story, i think my foot is back in its rightfull place lol maybe just a tad to the outside but like people have said i think it my conformation! lol
 
#21 ·
I used to have the same problem...sort of! From the time I started lessons until the time I bought my first horse, I rode with my toes out. Not a lot, but I did a lot of jumping in my lessons, and they kind of just stuck that way. Then I started taking dressage lessons and my instructor was always on my case about how my toes needed to point straight forward. It hurt like crazy for awhile but eventually I got used to it. Now it hurts like crazy to ride with my toes out even slightly.

I just had to make a conscious effort to change my position and it got easier and easier until it was unconscious. Not a quick fix, but just know that it will get easier!
 
#22 ·
i have just started doing classes and my instructor i always having to tell me off aboutmy left foot :? my toe goes outwards my right foot is fyn its just my left, im getting really frustrated!!! whats making it stick out? :-| has anyone else had this problem? my styrups are in the right place and the rest of my posture is fine, just my stupid toe wants to be a pansy haaha.
any advice is very very welcome lol thanks:D
the same thing happens to me except it is the opposite way around! it sucks lol i hate it..my trainer just said sometimes people have problems with one leg, as the other is dominant. idk..i just stretch that leg a little more and roll my ankle to make it loose
 
#23 ·
I have that issue with my right foot, ankle. A previous horse fell with me, rolled over my foot/leg and crushed the foot and ankle. Went through lots of therapy but it just isn't as strong as the other one so I'm always being told to pull my lower leg back, get my toe in........ other leg is just fine! Sigh....... At least now it functions better. Used to get my heel down and then after riding it would be frozen for about 15 minutes as I hobbled around..... Much better now :) Goodluck to all of us conformationally/functionally challenged riders out there!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.
Top