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Post by Blonde Donkey on May 11, 2008 10:24:39 GMT
i'm really confused what to do with my knees when i'm riding. should they be gripping the saddle or should they be loose?
When i grip with my knees my heel comes up and toe goes out but if they are loose i feel insecure in the saddle. Help!
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Post by kateflashy on May 11, 2008 10:40:23 GMT
i was always taught that you should be able to fit a fist between your knee and the saddle only your calf should be against the side of the horse
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Post by spotti on May 11, 2008 12:34:02 GMT
Maybe if you feel insecure you should try lengthening your stirrups, and if you still feel insecure, ride bareback/without stirrups to lengthen your legs a bit...trust me, it works!
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Post by Blonde Donkey on May 11, 2008 12:39:53 GMT
will try that thanks
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Post by maximum on May 11, 2008 18:41:31 GMT
they should NOt be against the saddle in that there should be no gripping, they should be lying against the saddle but not gripping.
you need to work on developing an independant seat. lots of work without stirrups and lunge lessons would help. when you work without stirrups imagine that your legs are stumps, they have been cut off at the mid thigh and use only the upper thigh and seat to balance.
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tina
Newbie
Posts: 57
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Post by tina on May 11, 2008 19:33:28 GMT
Ditto Maximum totally. So many people you see grip with their knees.
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Post by Blonde Donkey on May 11, 2008 20:10:00 GMT
yea well i hate doing it i don't do it delibratley. i am going to do some work without stirrups because lungeing with savvy is a no go area. i just wanted to know where to go from there and whether it was wrong or not thanks guys
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Post by brigadier on May 11, 2008 20:53:13 GMT
HI Savvy,
try this exercise. sit in the saddle and lift both legs out- up and off the saddle and sit so your kneess are together on the pommel- only your seatbones should be on the saddle. then let your legs flop gently down so that they land flat against the saddle with no tension. repeat as many times as is comfortable then ask for walk forwards not allowing the leg to tense as you do so. the aid should be really light- back up with a tap from the whip if necessary. Your bum should remain relaxed also Concentrate on keeping the feeling of your legs relaxed against the saddle- as soon as they tense (and they will) stop and repeat the exercise.
Its quite a tricky exercise but will free up the hip. People grip with the knees when their hips are tight. Side leg raises off the horse when stood will also help.
The ridden exercise can be done at walk trot and canter- when you can do this at canter I can guarantee you have an independant seat- but build up to it!!!!!!
brig
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Post by fleabitten on May 12, 2008 16:03:03 GMT
Every time you ride savvy, cross your stirrups over in front of the saddle and ride like you would when you have stirrups - we do a bit of work without stirrups in every lesson that we do at my riding school and it really helps - you will feel really insecure at first and it will take a while but once you have got an independent seat you will keep your hands still when trotting and when you are jumping you wont be propping yourself up on your ponys neck - or even go bareback!!
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ceej
Administrator 
im back.... :)
Posts: 5,363
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Post by ceej on May 13, 2008 8:25:19 GMT
HI Savvy, try this exercise. sit in the saddle and lift both legs out- up and off the saddle and sit so your kneess are together on the pommel- only your seatbones should be on the saddle. then let your legs flop gently down so that they land flat against the saddle with no tension. repeat as many times as is comfortable then ask for walk forwards not allowing the leg to tense as you do so. the aid should be really light- back up with a tap from the whip if necessary. Your bum should remain relaxed also Concentrate on keeping the feeling of your legs relaxed against the saddle- as soon as they tense (and they will) stop and repeat the exercise. Its quite a tricky exercise but will free up the hip. People grip with the knees when their hips are tight. Side leg raises off the horse when stood will also help. The ridden exercise can be done at walk trot and canter- when you can do this at canter I can guarantee you have an independant seat- but build up to it!!!!!! brig last time I tried to do this I got cramp in my hip joint and the only way to get rid it to extend my leg (pretty uncontrollably - its qquite painful) but VERY funny when astride a horse...so imagine me in soasms of pain with my leg sticking straight out crying CRAMP CRAMP!!!, , but then wheezing with laughter!! |
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Post by kitcat on May 13, 2008 8:45:33 GMT
OMG I so know that one lol
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Post by Blonde Donkey on May 13, 2008 16:15:13 GMT
gonna try all these whne in next ride but cars buggared so relieing on my brother to take us so might not be riding for a while
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for so much hard work we thank ye!!
