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Lower Leg Problems ):

3K views 17 replies 6 participants last post by  Nikkibella 
#1 ·
So I love jumping, with a passion and my mare really enjoys it too.

She's a 15.3 hh STB. She weighs 910 lbs and that's not underweight. She's SO narrow.
I don't have the best leg either, but with her, it is SO hard for me to keep my lower leg near the girth.

I've improved some by really putting my heels down and REALLY holding with my thighs, but it still slides behind the girth.
I really want to fix this, but I can't afford to take regular lessons.
I'm putting money toward a few things, her shoes and my lessons. Shoes get more so lessons aren't as often as I'd like.

Does anyone know how I can fix this, a few tips on it?

This is a picture from this summer, I've improved the slightest bit, but not by much. I've also been trying to not throw my hands up her neck because I follow them too much and make her heavier in the front

The second, is on a different horse who has a way wider barrel. It's harder to see, but my leg is much more secure. Not great, but better than on my mare.
 

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#3 ·
I agree with you, your stirrups could come up a hole. If you are holding with your thigh as you said, you are also most likely gripping with your knee, which then acts as a pivot. This makes you lose your blance and support; your lower leg slips behind you and your upper body falls forward. You don't want all of your leg contact in your thigh, you want it evenly distributed through your leg, with a relaxed knee and thigh. It will be easier to keep your heels down, ankles flexed and your calf against your horse. Work on this position on the flat, then try it jumping. Good luck.
 
#6 ·
I would love to go stirrupless, but I SUCK at it on my horse, and I can tell my mare doesn't like it when I try to post without stirrups.

I can do a sitting trot with my irons crossed, I was thinking about trying a two point stirrupless also. When I post without stirrups (on her at least, everyone else I can do) she trows her head up and stops because she doesn't like it
 
#7 ·
Firstly, shorten your stirrups a couple of holes.
Try riding with jodhpur clips, tuck your jods into your socks or wear half chaps/gaitors. From the photo, your jodhpurs are riding up your leg which creates a section of bare leg which is uncomfortable and may be making you pinch with your knee to keep your lower leg away from the horse.

Next practice your two point position, sinking down into your heels and keeping your leg forward.
Don't throw your upper body forward so much and sit taller, this should keep your leg back.
Press you hands into her neck just passed the wither for your release.
Try to jump with straight elbows, this will fix your release and keep your back tall.

Think of almost standing up in your stirrups, for this size jump you hardly need to move your bum out of the saddle so keep it closer.

Don't throw yourself forward, think of the horse gently lifting you off the ground. Let your body follow the movement gently. Nothing should be sharp. It should all be flowing and smooth, like a song.

Hopefully this hopes.
Abigail, Riding Coach
 
#9 ·
I had left my tall boots at home that day, when I ride I almost ALWAYS have my half chaps or tall boots on.

I've been keeping my hands how you said, but keeping my arms straight.. wouldn't that make me in a really odd position??
 
#11 ·
No, I most certainly did not mean that she should ride with straight elbows.

I noticed that in the photo her arms are very bent and her elbows are sticking out which makes her duck her upper body down.

I meant that she should straighten her elbows a little, but not to ride with them absolutely straight. By straightening her elbows a little, her upper body would stay taller which would keep her elbows in, help create a straight line from elbow to bit and help keep her leg forward.

Arms should always be soft and move with the horse's head.

So sorry, I don't thinkI made it clear what I was saying.
 
#12 ·
Ahh!! thanks!!
Hopefully I'll have my younger sister with me on Friday so I can get a video for a critique.

Is there an angle for flat work that would be best for critiquing? Same for over jumps?
I'm assuming from the side?
 
#14 ·
Here is a video,

It is not an upper level show jumper or anything, this is one of my students (I know, she has the same name as me!!!!), she still has somethings to work on but I do this she has the right length in her arm.

Note how her back stays tall, this is becasue her elbows are a little straight.

She is also following the movement of her horse' s head well with her hands.
 
#15 ·
That horse's jump is so freaking cute!!! Ah!!!
I do see what you mean though

I had gone to a jumping clinic last month, and she had my two pointing the way you explained

The angle is terrible, but I remember everything being much smoother and comfortable when i wasn't throwing myself over the jump.

I'm not trying to make an excuse for a bad habit, but I think that stems from when I was teaching my mare to jump. I was always jumping ahead so she would follow me.
My plan was to work back to following her, but that never happened. Bad on my part!
 

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#16 ·
I had a really narrow mare once. I used a monoflap saddle with her, and it made a huge difference! It won't 'fix' any riding flaws, but it would help with feeling the horse in general. It did for me anyway!

I realize that a new saddle wasn't what you had in mind, but I thought I'd throw that out there. It might be something worth considering in the future :)
 
#18 ·
Shorten your stirrups a bit (from what i see in the first picture) and try to drop your all of your weight into your heels , really push them down over especially over the jump , this should help to keep your lower leg in place over the jump and help you keep a more steady lower leg .
Hope this helps !!
 
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