HomePony Know HowRiding TipsFlatworkTop 5 tips for a great leg position
-
Pony Care Tips
Learn everything you need to know about caring for your fave pony. From feeding and grooming to mucking out – we have it all here!
-
Riding Tips
Improve your riding with our fab articles! Whether it's building your confidence, riding shapes, or jumping spreads that you need tips on, we have something for every rider.
Latest News
Top 5 tips for a great leg position
Posted in Flatwork
Here are some ideas to help your legs get sorted when in the saddle!
Correct length stirrups
Make sure your stirrups are the correct length. For flatwork, the stirrup iron should be level with your ankle bone when your leg hangs beside the stirrup leather. If, however, you are having trouble keeping your seat or rising to the trot, you might benefit from shortening your stirrups a hole. Always shorten your stirrups by at least two holes for jumping.
It’s a ball!
Have your stirrup on the ball of your foot (the widest part). This allows you to have supple ankles, without them getting locked, which can happen if you just have just your toe in the stirrup.
Sticking-out toes = v bad!
Toes should face the front. If they stick out, your knees stick out, too, and the wrong part of your leg is next to your pony. Plus, you may get swept off your pony if you go through a narrow gateway!
Too much toe?
As you ride, glance down at your toes. You should just about see the very tips of your toes. Any more and your feet are too far forward. If you can’t see them at all, check that your feet are not too far back.
Riding hinges
You hips, knees and ankles should all be supple, and open and close as your ride. Think of them as well-oiled hinges.
Your Comments
2 responses to “Top 5 tips for a great leg position”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Wow, these are so useful and well-explained! I have riding lessons weekly and I’m aiming to get moved up the highest class, where my friends ride so I’ll definitely be using these. Thanks!
hi these are great tips because I’m going to start riding lessons.