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Effective Leg Position
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- Опубликовано: 14 авг 2024
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Most all riders struggle to find the correct leg position AND to be effective with the leg. It can be a challenge not to nag your horse, or grip with the lower leg, or use the spur excessively! Here are some tips to find the correct leg position and to use your leg more effectively!!
1. Make sure you have the correct alignment: The heel must stay under the hip. Some riders tend to have the lower leg too far forward (chair seat) or have the lower leg too far back (which tips you forward).
2. Make sure your toes point forward - to get the toes to point forward, rotate your leg in from the hip to allow the toe to point forward. This allows the rider to use the leg without using the spur. This also helps to free up the hip and allows the rider to follow the motion of the horse.
3. Knees: Your knees should be in contact with the saddle. They should not be gripping nor should they be flapping away from the saddle.
4. How to use your legs: first close the calf, then close the heel, then add spur, then take the leg off and give quick kick. Be sure to get a reaction! If the horse does more than you wanted (ie. canters off) be sure to praise them!!
Common Mistakes in leg position:
Gripping with the lower leg: causes the hips to stiffen and lock up, and horse gets dull
Knees flopping out of the saddle - causes ineffective leg aids and tight hips
Rider shortens the leg to use it. Be sure to keep your legs long when you use them! There really is no need to draw the leg up to use them!
Loose/floppy lower legs - this causes inaccurate leg aids and the horse will start to ignore the leg!
Remember that the legs are the DRIVING AIDS! They are what get the horse to go! It is so important to remember pressure and release! Be sure to apply the leg aid, get what you want, and then take your leg off and REWARD YOUR HORSE!!
Make sure you have the correct alignment: The heel must stay under the hip. Some riders tend to have the lower leg too far forward (chair seat) or have the lower leg too far back (which tips you forward).
Make sure your toes point forward - to get the toes to point forward, rotate your leg in from the hip to allow the toe to point forward. This allows the rider to use the leg without using the spur. This also helps to free up the hip and allows the rider to follow the motion of the horse.
Knees: Your knees should be in contact with the saddle. They should not be gripping nor should they be flapping away from the saddle.
How to use your legs: first close the calf, then close the heel, then add spur, then take the leg off and give quick kick. Be sure to get a reaction! If the horse does more than you wanted (ie. canters off) be sure to praise them!!
Common Mistakes in leg position:
Gripping with the lower leg: causes the hips to stiffen and lock up, and horse gets dull
Knees flopping out of the saddle - causes ineffective leg aids and tight hips
Rider shortens the leg to use it. Be sure to keep your legs long when you use them! There really is no need to draw the leg up to use them!
Loose/floppy lower legs - this causes inaccurate leg aids and the horse will start to ignore the leg!
Remember that the legs are the DRIVING AIDS! They are what get the horse to go! It is so important to remember pressure and release! Be sure to apply the leg aid, get what you want, and then take your leg off and REWARD YOUR HORSE!!
This is really helpful! I struggle with my toes sticking out so will try picking up and rolling my leg round from the hip 👍
Yes!!
Staring to learn low jumping. All of this superfine horsemanship is of great use to me. I want to be solid and balanced. Want to give the correct cues in the correct way. I'm and ever-student all-around rider. These videos are amazing for me to practice. Love these videos. Attention to detail --even if you aren't preparing for the Spanish Riding School. HA! Thank you.
WONDERFUL info! Amelia, could you do a video on what part of your leg you use for each transition/ movement? Thank you so much
When I was in Europe, they taught a progression of leg aids specifically to address spur use:
1) normal passive leg draping over the horse's sides, 2) gently close the leg- pulse to give an aid or hold gently to support. 3) activate calf more than 2) by essentially making a sideways toe-tapping motion toward the horse (the head instructor was very much against the common "flappy lower leg" technique (when asked, his response was "it's a technique, but nobody ever said it was a good technique" ) and wanted the leg much more still). 4) Assume position 2) and raise the heel to scrub the spur gently against the horse and finally, and only if absolutely required, 5) turn the heel and give a deliberate poke.
I have never seen anyone else teach such a progression of aids for the spur- in most places once your leg is quiet enough you are simply told to get a set of spurs and it is pretty much just assumed you know how to use them (or told to NOT use them, in whichever case why even wear them), or in some cases, spurs are basically used well before a rider is ready as "turbochargers" for "lazy" horses...😡
I’ve been told by classical folks that the spur was originally to split hairs, very subtle
This is a great explanation on the progression of leg aids! It is FAR better than mine! Can you make us a video and I will post in on my channel 😂😂
My position is great at the walk, it's the trot that's the problem lol. I have a lot of trouble with keeping my lower leg back. I think it has a lot of do with hip stiffness (and stiffness in general), because I practically have to do a yoga session before riding to stretch and relax those muscles XD Great video, awesome advice as always! Thanks for showing it on the horse and not being afraid to show a work in progress. A lot of horsie youtubers will heavily edit their content to show only the "perfect" parts, but it's just as important to know what it looks like when it's not done correctly.
Thank you! It's scary to put out the not so perfect moments! Some people are so critical 😳
Omg, we have the exact same problem! I too am great with my position at the walk, but it all falls apart in trot, MY legs come forward, and it is further complicated by riding a horse that is very difficult to get going at the trot, haha, I have to kick very hard sometimes and very continuously ( all at the command of my instructor- I HATE kicking personally, but when you ask you have to keep asking until you get the desired result, or that is what I have been taught!) and it throws my legs off even more! I also do a decent amount of yoga, I wonder if my hips are STILL tight?
@@pariahmouse7794 That's what I'm told too (kick and keep kicking until the horse goes), but I find this to be not only ineffective and exhausting, but it also shows little knowledge of pressure and release, and progression of pressure on the part of the instructor. When you kick continuously, you are telling the horse kicking doesn't mean anything since you don't stop and they can't find the right answer. This produces "dull" or "shutdown" horses and then you have to work three times as hard to get a response. IMO I see kicking usually taught to children who don't yet understand progression of pressure, or pressure and release. Instructors who don't understand pressure and release usually don't move on from the "kick to go" concept.
What I see Amelia doing is squeeze lightly -> kick -> use spur/whip with leg -> STOP once you get a response (maybe not the one you want, i.e. going from walk to canter instead of walk to trot, but it will be refined later). This tells me she has a good understanding of progression of pressure because she starts soft, only increases when necessary, and aims to keep aids soft. Through consistent progression of pressure, you will teach your horse to move off light aids. It doesn't seem like your instructor understands this.
In general, I also find that 99% of stables that offer lessons will skip over groundwork and go straight to riding. They do not teach basic horse/human body language, pressure and release, progression of pressure, and the riders and horses are far worse off than they would be if they had that basic foundation before getting in the saddle (especially children). I have been fortunate enough in the past to ride at a stable that focused on groundwork first before riding, and the difference is HUGE. Horses and riders had a much better relationship, and I never once saw excessive pulling, kicking, anxious horses, shutdown horses, or just poor/forceful handling in general. I currently ride at a stable that does every single one of the awful things mentioned above (and more), and yeah...the horses aren't happy, and the people aren't focused on the horses at all (ironically, it's also a dressage stable). It's a sad sight. People are way too obsessed with riding these days rather than learning to understand, communicate effectively, and pay attention to the horse before moving on to riding.
@@victoriaolender6289
I agree completely with what you said- my instructor SHOULD understand this, she was a Gran Prix level dressage rider in England, but I think she has been teaching little kids and therapy kids too long, my barn is primarily a therapy barn for special needs children, I volunteer for extra horse time, I love just connecting with the horses on any level- I disagree with many things my instructor says in regard to relationship between horse and rider, she is of a more dominant mindset than I am, my primary riding goal is to be able to sensitively influence the horse and bring its best performance out, I have no hard goals for myself other than to be a quiet, intuitive, sympathetic HORSEPERSON, I want to learn all the aspects of their behaviour and whatnot, so I can have a pleasant symbiotic relationship with any horse I ride or handle...
Hopefully I will find the people and the place that can help me achieve my goals- until then I soak up all the good knowledge I can, and supplement it with reading and further research on my own- I do love my instructor, but I also think she has allowed years of bad beginners to dull her teaching just a bit- I hope I find the right fit someday, horses are the best part of my life, I want to make them my vocation, however that happens! Good luck finding a barn more in line with your desires, I have a feeling they are few and far between! If I ever win the lottery I know what I am doing with the money, haha- rescue horses gently re-trained in a very horse-centric manner, proper horsemanship from the ground up, as you say...
One woman who boards at my barn has a mare she rescued from a kill pen, and she has done NOTHING but slow gentle groundwork from the start, she says if she never rides the mare she doesn't care, she just wants her to be happy and healthy and balanced. THAT is how I wish all horsepeople were, this woman is a shining example of doing it right, I hope to follow her lead one day with my own rescue!
Anyway, sorry for the rambles!
Best of luck on your equestrian journey!
@@pariahmouse7794 perhaps doing groundwork in a rope halter, dressage whip will help you with getting better results. I am finding that working on the ground first is helping a great deal.
I have trouble keeping my toes pointing forward. I don't wear spurs on my thoroughbred in my profile picture because if I do bump her at the wrong time I be catching a flight into the dirt. It's interesting that you grabbed your outer thigh and physically rotated your leg. My wife had an OT practice using horses and she would often adjust leg positions on the kids that rode using the same method.
Yes! It really helps!
That shirt is great for seeing your alignment! Love these videos, and how you break things down. My issue is drawing my legs up, cutting in the fetal position a bit. I strive to look like I'm melting into/ around the horse like you!
Glad the videos are helpful! Keep working at it! You will get there!!
My Sweetheart Erica who competed in dressage and jump in BC, likes your instruction the best. You are very clear and uncomplicated.
That made me laugh so much when you rode with you feet pointing out and knees off the saddle towards the end of the video, that’s one of my biggest faults 🤣🤣
I have a hard time keeping my ties forward and they probably get to far back sometimes since I always need to bring my shoulder back... i slightly tip forward!
Thanks for the great videos! 🙂
Thank you for demonstrating this. This requires constant focus and effort in my case as my knees routinely open up and end up ON the leg roll vs behind it. I’m sure that is not helped by the fact I curl up instead of keeping my legs extended. It seems so simple, but like every other thing in riding and dressage, takes practice to have consistency!
You're so welcome! And Yes!!
Fantastic video Amelia, thank you so much. I have a big problem with my toes pointing out, I’m going to try what you recommended to physically roll my thigh in. Thank you again. I love your videos they are so helpful!
Glad it was helpful! I have the same problem!!
Thank you. Loving your videos Amelia!
Thanks so much for watching JEnni!
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Ok that’s the lot I promise. Have an awesome day! 🐴
Very helpful video Amelia, thank you so much.
Thank you so much!
My Sweetheart who competed in dressage and jump in BC, thinks your the clearest and concise instructor
I've been working on this. I do find it easier to be in the right position with my feet out of the stirrups. Once I pick up the stirrups, it all goes downhill from there :(
Lisa Ross me too!
You're not the only one!! Keep working on this!!
Me too, it's very frustrating sometimes!
Me too
How can I ride effectively with my toes not pointing out and leg behind the girth I am really struggling with this.
You don’t need a crop, bit, and spurs to get your horse to do this. Also, kicking your horse should be a one time thing, when you first start training a horse/ start working with a horse you haven’t in a while, then you may need to kick at first to get them to understand the question, (gradually increase pressure if they don’t understand the first time) but if you ride your horse all the time, they should already know what you’re asking for with the slightest pressure. It shouldn’t even look like your legs or feet are moving. Any horse is capable of learning very subtle and soft cues, it’s just for some horses it may take longer because they “aren’t as sensitive”. Just a suggestion, maybe it helps!
Also, I love your name, my middle name is Amelia :)
Thank you this is a very helpful video.
AWSOME Amelia thank you so much 👍👍👍👏🙏🙏❤️😘 has help me a lot my homework xx
Recently, after taking up riding again, I was actually having the opposite problem: turning my toes out to close my heel & spur, to ask my horse to go more forward. My toes naturally point forward & it's an effort to turn them out while riding. 🙃 I ascribe this to practicing a therapeutic style of Hatha Yoga for 27 years.
I trained yoga teachers & practiced yoga therapy; foot & knee misalignment is very common. The lower part of the upper thigh bone is not in line with the upper part of the lower leg bones. (You can feel/see the two bony protrusions at the ends of each bone above & below the knee - the top two should by aligned over the bottom two like the corners of a square.) When the upper thigh twists too far inward you get knock-knees. You'd think a person would then walk pigeon toed, but most, though not all, compensate by turning the toes outward. Over time Hatha Yoga hip-opening poses will help with this, especially, the seated or reclining ones where you really let the tightness across the groin, that's rotating the thigh bone into a knock-kneed alignment, release.
Great tips and video, a good reminder to my self about the correct leg position :)
When will i should use a spur when proper riding a horse?
Even your kicks are so subtle!
I tend to be okay with my position in the walk, but I lose it in the trot trying to keep my horse forward (I ride very lazy horses- guess since I am a bit high strung, haha, it's the best fit, but I get so tired, literally sometimes, of kicking!)
I am really struggling with influencing with my leg at the rising trot, I think you have a video on that that I need to watch again! Great video, I would love to support you on Patreon one of these days, I owe you, your videos have helped my riding SO much! Is it anatomically possible to have your knee away from the saddle but your toes still pointing forward? I have noticed my knee will often not be flush with the saddle (though it depends on which saddle I use- in one my knees are perfect, but it doesn't fit the horse I usually ride for lessons- the saddle I have to use on him makes me feel like my knees have no proper spot to rest comfortably, but my feet are always pointing forward, I am lucky there. I will try rotating my thigh tomorrow and see what it does for my knees! Could stirrup length play a part in my knee position? I like mine shorter than my instructor would like, haha, especially for posting...
Thanks again!
I've got this issue as well!!! Please tell me if you've done anything to improve it xx
Thank u
Hey Amelia, I love your videos - so, so helpful!!
I’m currently riding a school horse and have an issue with my legs creeping up which I’m working on.
My instructor told me to turn my leg out during my ride today - and to open my hip. Im a bit confused because I was turning my toes and everything in. Is it so I’m sitting deeper in the saddle? Perhaps I was gripping and it was popping me out of the saddle. Just a bit confused - what am I supposed to do?
I’ll work on it and hopefully improve my balance and leg position 😊
What’s your biggest leg problem!?? My lower legs want to flop all over!! 😵😵
Hi Amelia
My heels are not always down. I ride a lot without a saddle which is good for developing 'soft' seat but this doesn't help with a foot position or a leg position... Unfortunately I feel more effective bareback than with a saddle...
@@joannatuczynska3508 i think heels down is just as bad as "grip with your knees". Ive been told both. Honestly putting pressure down from the top of your foot into the ball is more important than heels down. Imagine the horse is taken out from under you. You should land on your feet not on your heels.
My toes point outwards and my lower leg is unstable 🙈
@@joannatuczynska3508try to think toes up instead 🤗 that helps me! If I push my heels down I get tense.
Great Video thanks! where did you get that jacket? that would be helpful for my lessons?
Thank you ❤ I have one leg that wil not stay in the right positie I Will try your adviseur.
Best of luck! Have a look at our Rider Position Transformation Course: amelianewcombdressage.com/rider-position-transformation/?RUclips&FLASHRPT
What I have difficulty with is knowing whether my leg is in the neutral position when I'm mounted since I can't see my profile in its entirety. My coach tells me that I should feel like I can stand at w/t/c and that's helped quite a bit. Any other tips tips? (P.S. I love your videos!)
Does anyone have advice on keeping lower leg back (especially in the trot)? I really struggle with this
Think of squeezing a tennis ball behind your knee this will help!
@@AmeliaNewcombDressage thank you! I'll give it a go next ride :)
You might also want to have your saddle checked for fit for both you and the horse. My horse is built extremely uphill, and even after getting a custom built saddle, it had to be adjusted twice more. When it was too low in the back, it put me in a backseat position and I had a chair seat. Look at your saddle and see if it sits level on your horse.
@@mcrcequestrianakamoonchase9143 That's a very good point, I'll definitely have a fitter out. Thank you!
I think many of us are riding in saddles that have the stirrup bars placed too far forward. Once I got a dressage saddle with adjustable bars, and bring them back, I was able to keep my leg in alignment with ease and not need "thigh tacos" anymore either. :)
Thank you from a cowboy trying to improve his seat.
As I watch this, I keep thinking there is more to this "effective leg " position " . What about describing the use of the core to propel and .."gather up the horse.." and how you use your body to achieve this ? Ellen Jane Paisley