All good riders have one thing in common…an excellent lower leg position. Having the correct angles in your lower leg help to absorb the concussion of riding, give proper cues, and hold you securely on your horse’s back. Knowledge of this important ingredient of riding is invaluable and sometimes overlooked.
Knee
Another important angle used in riding is the angle that forms between your thigh and calf. When schooling for jumping, this angle should be about 90 degrees when seated. This angle allows you to get up off your horse’s back. Adjust your stirrups correctly by taking both feet out and letting them hang at your horse’s sides. The bottom of your stirrup should touch the top of your ankle bone.
When riding western or on the flat your hip angle will open to about 100 to 110 degrees depending on your conformation as well as your horse’s. Adjust your stirrups in the same manner as described above, but make your stirrups longer by letting the bottom of the stirrup hit your foot just below your ankle bone. You can adjust them to jumping length and then take them down a hole or two until you find which length works best for you.
Make sure you adjust your stirrups each time you train using different seats such as jumping or dressage. If your stirrups are adjusted too long for jumping you won’t be able to get out of the saddle and into a two point as effectively as you should, making it harder to gallop and jump. If your stirrups are adjusted too short you will have less leg contact with your horse’s sides and it may push you too far forward in the saddle, causing you to loose your balance.
Ankle
For a correct foot and ankle position, the ball of your foot should set on the stirrup with the outside of the stirrup a little ahead of the inside, as it should angle across you foot with the outside of the stirrup underneath your little toe. Your foot should be turned out just enough that your entire calf makes contact with your horse’s side. It’s common to see riders with their toes turned out too far. Riding in this position forces you use the back of your calf instead of the inside, which decreases your security and grip. Also, be careful not to point your toes toward your horse as this brings the rest of your leg off of the horse.
Your heel should always be lower than your toe. This allows your leg to act as shock absorber and secures your position. When your heel is down your leg lengthens, anchoring your seat and letting you have maximum contact with your horse’s sides. When your heel comes up your leg is shortened and your security in the saddle is decreased. Although keeping your heel down is very important be sure you are not to forcing your heels down, which causes stiffness throughout your leg. Think of lifting your toes up instead, which helps you keep your weight in your heels instead of on your stirrups.
Putting It All Together
Each angle of your riding body must work correctly both independently as well as coordinated together to cue your horse properly. You can improve your position by choosing a body part you want to work on and focus on improving it during each ride. You can also improve your position out of the saddle by staying fit and becoming as ambidextrous as possible.