Strides for Success

Tag: Leg Aids

  • Securing Your Swinging Lower Leg in Trot and Canter

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    Have you ever glanced down mid-trot or canter and seen your lower leg doing a full-on windscreen wiper impression? You’re not alone. I see this all the time. Novice riders trying to figure out how to stop that swinging lower leg from distracting their horse (and them!).

    The issue is that so often, trying to ‘fix’ your lower leg won’t work. This is because your lower leg is not the issue… It’s just the most visible side effect of something else that’s going on in your riding… 

    Whether you ride with a sensitive horse who thinks you’re asking for more speed. Or a fairly laid-back horse who simply tunes you out, this issue can quickly throw a spanner in the works. So today, let’s get right to the root of it, and more importantly, figure out how to fix it in a way that works long term.

    What Is a Swinging Lower Leg

    First off, let’s be clear on what we’re talking about here. A swinging lower leg is when your leg below the knee moves excessively while you ride. It often swings or flaps forward and back like a pendulum. Or a windscreen wiper! It usually shows up during trot (especially rising/posting) or canter.

    It might look like:

        • Your leg shooting forward when you rise, then swinging back as you sit.

        • Your lower leg losing all contact during canter and flapping uselessly.

        • Your aids becoming inconsistent—or even unintentionally sending the wrong signals.

    And while it’s easy to focus only on that swinging lower leg, the truth is this: the lower leg is rarely the actual problem. It’s a symptom of something else going on in your riding.

    The Real Reason Your Leg is Swinging

    Here’s the hard truth that most riders miss; your lower leg is swinging because something else is out of sync. It’s not about gripping harder or squeezing your leg tighter. In fact, doing that will very often make things worse.

    Instead, think of your body like a kinetic chain. When one link (your seat, your core, your shoulders) is unstable or misaligned, the result often shows up in your lower leg. So rather than treating the symptom, we’re going to dig deeper and fix the actual cause.

    To do this, first you have to figure out when your leg is swinging…

    Step 1: When Does It Happen?

    Get curious about when this is happening for you in your riding. Become a bit of a detective! If you ride alone, the only way to really know for sure is to capture your riding on video.

    First, check what happens in the trot. Particularly the rising trot. For many riders, the swinging lower leg pops up when they are posting. You’ll see that your lower leg (below the knee) shoots forward every time you rise. Instead of being underneath you (as in the Click Your Fingers Rule), it will be somewhere up at your horse’s shoulder or elbow. Then, as you sit back in the saddle, it will swing back under you again.

    I then suggest testing yourself in the canter. You might find that things are fine for you in the trot, but as soon as you transition into canter, that swinging lower leg makes itself known!  It’s like your leg develops a life and mind of its own! Doing its own thing! And, unfortunately, usually either causing your horse to increase speed or tension, or completely ignore you altogether!

    So grab your phone, whip out your Pivo, or get a friend to record you riding. Look closely. When exactly does the swing begin? Is it the trot? Or maybe it’s the canter for you…

    Fixing the Swing in Rising Trot

    Let’s start with trot. If you’ve got a swinging lower leg here, chances are your rising or posting technique needs to be revisited and updated. Most riders learn to post by being told “up-down, up-down.” Combine that with “heels down,” and what you get is standing up on your stirrups. That forward push causes your leg to swing because you’re using the wrong parts of your body to post.

    Instead, here’s a better way to think about it:

        • Imagine squeezing your glutes (your bum cheeks!)

        • Let your belly button travel forward and slightly upward towards your horse’s ears

        • Focus on moving diagonally with the horse, not up and down like a piston

    This subtle shift changes everything. Now, you’re not standing up on your stirrups, you’re moving with your horse’s motion. Your seat stays connected, and your lower leg stops swinging like it’s trying to escape. This also allows your lower leg to become an effective aid when you need it.

    Fixing the Swing in Canter

    Now, if you’ve got a swinging lower leg in the catner, there are a couple of different reasons this is happening.

    1. Are You Gripping with Your Knees?

    Gripping with your thighs or knees turns you into a human clothes peg! And not only does this cause your lower leg to swing, it can also cause your horse to feel uncomfortable.

    Instead, allow your thigh and knee to stay soft and open. Think of your legs ‘draping’ over the saddle. Let your seat move with your horse. And keep your lower leg gently against your horse’s side. No clamping, just resting against your horse’s side, ready for when you want to use your aid.

    2. What Are Your Shoulders Doing?

    This one surprises a lot of riders. But I’ll say it; your shoulders and your lower leg are very often just doing their own thing in the canter! And this is an issue, because it actually STOPS your seat from moving with your horse.

    If you’re doing any of the following in the canter:

        • Circling your shoulders

        • Rocking back and forth like you’re on a swing

        • Collapsing through your upper body

    …then guess what? That movement is disrupting your balance, and your lower leg is paying the price.

    Instead, keep your shoulders steady and aligned. Think tall, soft, and grounded. Let your seat follow your horse, and trust that you don’t need to ‘ride the canter’ with your shoulders. Let your seat do the talking.

    In the canter, your shoulders and lower leg remain ‘consistent’ while your seat and hands move with or follow your horse… 

    Why Holding Your Leg Still Won’t Work

    A quick reminder here: you can’t force your leg to be still by gripping harder or focusing solely on it.  That approach kills suppleness, flow, and the energy that needs to move through you and your horse.

    Instead, your goal is to create consistency through your upper and lower body, while allowing your seat to follow your horse’s movement.

    How to Train a Secure Lower Leg – Without Burning Out

    Like any new habit, improving your leg position takes time and consistency. But it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

    Here’s how to start smart:

        1. Break it into short, focused blocks. Choose two 8–10 minute sessions within your ride to specifically focus on your lower leg.

        2. Start in the walk. Then move to trot or canter – not both. If both gaits are an issue, focus on trot first until that improves.

        3. Use video. Every few rides, film yourself again. You’ll be amazed at the progress once you train your awareness and refine your feel.

    This is not about “riding better for the whole ride.” That will come. Riding now, if you have a swinging lower leg, you need deliberate, short bursts of effort. This will help you to rewire the habit. To upgrade this ‘basic’ in your riding so that it serves you as the rider you are now.

    It’s a simple (but not always easy) swap. Change the old basic that got you this far, and replace it with a more refined basic that takes you to the next level.

    If you’re dealing with a swinging lower leg, don’t just accept it as something you have to deal with forever. Your swinging lower leg is simply a signal that it’s time to upgrade some of the foundational skills that got you started – but aren’t serving you anymore.  The good news? This is fixable. And it starts with consistent, intentional focus during your rides.

    3 Action Steps for a Swinging Lower Leg

        1. Record yourself riding this week – identify exactly when and where the swinging leg appears

        2. Tweak your rising/posting in trot – aim diagonally forward with your seat, not straight up

        3. Check your shoulders in canter – be consistent with your shoulders and lower leg, and let your seat follow and move with your horse

    If you’re ready to take the next step and refine all those basics that are holding you back, pop over to www.returningtoriding.com and join the waitlist for my free training. I’ll help you make sense of it all so you can go from frustrated passenger to confident rider.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    More on This Topic:-

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  • Tipping Forward while Transitioning into the Canter

    Tipping Forward while Transitioning into the Canter

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    Have you ever fallen into the trap of trying to actually get your horse to canter? It’s a sneaky one that hides in plain sight. And it is an exhausting one as well. The good news is that you’re not alone! Over the years, I have seen so many riders make this mistake.

    Because trying to make your horse canter, and asking your horse to canter are two completely different things…

    And the latter, asking your horse, is so much easier, balanced, and enjoyable for all involved. It also has a much higher success rate as well ;)

    Tipping Forward while You Transition into Canter

    There are lots of reasons why riders find themselves tipping forward when getting into the canter. Lack of balance, coordination, self-awareness, position, and correct aids, to just name a few. And, as already mentioned, believing it’s your job to ‘make’ your horse canter also causes many challenges.

    Whatever the reason for it, finding yourself tipping forward on entry into canter is often not the best place to be, for the transition and for the canter itself

    And tipping forward not only makes things more difficult for you, but it also really can become a hindrance for your horse as well. It can negatively impact your horse’s ability actually to complete the transition. Just like us, our horses need to try and remain balanced, coordinated, and ‘forward thinking’ during the transition. And on the off chance that he does indeed make it into the canter, the rider tipping forward can make it difficult to establish a good quality, forward-moving, and engaged canter.

    The transition into the canter is an ‘upward’ transition, both between gaits and physically as well. If you throw your weight forward, you are blocking the horse with your body

    The Transition into Canter for Your Horse

    As your horse prepares to move into the canter, whether it is from walk or trot, he has to ‘reorganize’ his body a little. This is due to the canter being completely different from the walk or trot. The footfalls, the energy, the rhythm… All of it changes.

    In an ideal situation, your horse would maintain balance, engage the hindquarters, lighten the front end, and literally ‘step’ into the canter from the previous gait

    If the rider has tipped forward, this becomes close to impossible. The rider’s weight will have shifted onto, usually, their knees and inner thighs. This prevents the seat from connecting through the transition. The rider’s hands will also be affected. Either they will run forwards, up the mane. Or drop downwards, further leaning weight on the withers and shoulders.

    Often you will see horses responding to the rider tipping forward by ‘running’ through the transition. Or failing to transition at all into the canter

    Focus on Your Seat & Posture

    So, let’s say that you have identified that you do, indeed, have a bit of a habit of tipping forward through the transition. The first two things I would suggest to work on this is to try to remain engaged through your seat and aware of your posture.

    Work on trying to keep your shoulders above your hips, not in front or behind, both before, during, and after the transition; this will require self-carriage and engagement of your core

    As your horse ‘steps into’ the canter, notice how your belly button (your seat) will lead the rest of your body into the canter. If your shoulders are ahead of your hips, your seat cannot move with the horse into the canter.

    If you can maintain your posture before, during, and after the transition, it will allow your aids to work freely, independently, and with clarity to communicate with your horse

    Pay More Attention to Timing & Accuracy

    Rather than just seeing the transition into a canter as being random, become more specific. When and where do you want it to happen? From what type of trot or walk? And on which lead are you asking your horse to ‘strike’?

    By investing time and effort to better prepare your transition, you can then also decide when is the best place inside of the stride to ask…

    Asking for the transition at the wrong time in the stride of the current gait can often result in your horse becoming too tense. Losing relaxation will cause both rhythm and balance to also be lost. Also, horses usually want to please, and your horse may feel like he adds a ‘hop, skip, and jump’ just before the transition to get there!

    Any tipping forward of your body can make all of these things worse and cause an even greater loss of balance – for both of you!

    Focus on Your Hands and Legs

    A practical piece of advice is to focus on your hands and legs throughout the transition. Notice if you tend to ‘drop’ one of your hands… Or maybe lift a hand. Also, pay attention to how you move your hands through the transition.

    Your hands are the aids you can actually ‘see’ when you ride, so use them as indicators or guides as to how well you are maintaining your posture and seat before, during, and after the transition

    Remember, all of your aids are connected, so tipping forward will have a domino effect on all of the ways you use to communicate with your horse. Once you have your hands pretty independent through the transition, focus on your legs. Are your heels and lower legs coming up? Maybe just one is due to you tipping to one side – a very common issue, especially to the ‘inside’.

    By noticing if you can maintain the weight into your heels, you can begin to assess what your lower body is doing through the transition

    Your legs are there to both help ‘ask’ for the canter, but also to support your horse, especially if he’s green, into the canter and in the canter itself. This means they need to be in the right place and independent both before and when you ask. They also need to assist with establishing the canter after the transition as well. They cannot do any of this when you are tipping forward through the transition.

    Ask and then Allow

    My final suggestion is the one that I use all the time with riders. I want to simply remind you that it’s your job to ask the question. It is NOT your job to canter!

    Get really clear asking the question, and then get out of your horse’s way and let him respond

    Getting out of the way means positioning yourself in the best possible place for your horse to answer the question. You can do this by maintaining your posture, your own independence, and balance.

    The more you can begin to focus on setting the transition up as best you can, and then creating as much clarity as possible with your aids, the better your transitions into canter will become

    If tipping forward as you transition into canter is a habit that you have had for a long time, it may take a little work to replace. However, I also know that the key to doing this is to become mindful of your body and actions.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

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  • Riding a Laid Back or Lazy Horse

    Riding a Laid Back or Lazy Horse

    Working and Riding a Lazy or Laid Back Horse

    Some days does it feel like a mammoth task just to get your horse to put one foot in front of the other? He has no motivation whatsoever to do anything with any hint of enthusiasm or energy…

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    But first, I want to be clear; the term ‘lazy’ is not one that I enjoy using when it comes to horses. I believe that there are horses out there who are just more laid back than others. Lazy always sounds so derogatory. And often, those ‘lazy’ horses are actually wonderful trusty steeds.

    We need all sorts of horses in the world to suit all sorts of riders…

    However, if your horse is more laid back than most, I also understand how you may just want him to show a little more enthusiasm where his work is concerned.

    Lazy or Unresponsive?

    First, let’s look at the difference between a ‘lazy’ horse (yes, there is that word – again!) and an unresponsive horse. Often these two terms are used interchangeably. People feel that they are the same thing. I don’t agree. Yes, often there is a cross over, however, for the most part, they are different. Figuring out which your horse is is the first thing I would suggest you get clear on.  The reason being that one can be ‘changed’ and one has to be worked with or around. 

    An unresponsive horse is, in my opinion, often created or trained that way due to rider error. 

    I have spoken a lot about this before HERE and the great news is that, with a lot of mindful riding, it can be undone.  The simple truth of the matter is that your reactions or responses are always training your horse.  For good or for bad.  It is a good concept to keep in mind as you work with and ride your horse. 

    A laid back horse, on the other hand, is usually just that way inclined.  His personality and temperament is such that he tends to naturally just take all situations as they come.

    Once you are clear that your horse is indeed just a laid back soul, you can begin being mindful of how you can work ‘with’ him in each ride…

    It All Starts with Your Position

    I know, I know; it seems like a bit of a cheap tip – work on your position – but it is so important! Remember, if your horse’s natural inclination is to do as little as possible, he will look for ways to make that happen.  He will look for ways out!  

    He will also, when feeling confused or conflicted, rather stop and wait than take action and hope it is the right action!

    A good position will ensure that you are clear on what you are communicating in the first place.  This is the first hurdle when it comes to motivating him to go forwards. There is a direct correlation between how frustrated a rider becomes and how well (or badly!) they ride.

    Pay Attention to Lower Leg

    In my experience, riders who are becoming a little frustrated with a lazy horse tend to have ‘wandering’ lower legs. Their lower leg can end up too far back. Almost close to the flank somewhere; okay that is a slight exaggeration, but you get the picture! Either way, if we snapped our fingers and made the horse vanish, the rider would land on their face!

    The other extreme is the lower being too far forward; up at the horse’s elbow and shoulder.

    This is often caused by the rider trying to push and shove the horse forward using their seat.

    Whatever the reason, again, if we snapped our fingers and made the horse vanish, the rider would land on their bum!

    The ‘Click Your Fingers Rule’ is always a good way to access how well your position is at any point in the ride.

    Being in the Right Place Consistently

    While being lazy (that word again!) and being unresponsive is different, if you are riding a ‘laid back’ horse you will have to up your game where responsiveness is concerned.

    You have to first improve your riding and how you are showing up before your horse will improve his performance.

    Showing up means being in the right place to ask the right questions. Having a solid position means that you will be clear when you apply your aids.

    There is less chance of your horse becoming confused about what you are asking; or how he should respond to each question.

    Be Prepared for the ‘Skip’

    If you have ever ridden a lazy or laid back horse, you will know exactly what I am talking about here. Imagine that you are on your wonderfully chilled steed. By some miracle, you actually get him to move forward; to put more energy into his way of going.

    Rather than transitioning smoothly from one gait to the next, he ‘skips’ or hops into the new gait. If there was a sound to describe it, it would ‘Hup’!

    If you are not prepared for this ‘skip’ it can be very unbalancing. To the point where you end up falling backward and then stopping or blocking the forward energy.

    The big issue when the rider becomes unbalanced is that the contact is often lost. Either the rider pulls on the reins in order to try and re-balance themselves. Or the rider throws the contact at the horse in an attempt to avoid catching him in the mouth.

    Either way, as soon as the contact is lost, the forwardness is also lost. Which means returning back to square one.

    Riding into Downward Transitions

    The final key element of riding a lazy or laid back horse is being able to actually work through a downward transition. Horses who are inclined not to really go forward, to begin with, are surprisingly quick to change down gears!

    Your job is, again, to remain balanced by having and maintaining a good position all the way through the transition. This good position will help you to keep your leg on, therefore keep the energy flowing,

    Allowing your horse to fall into downward transitions will make the next gait also lack forwardness and energy.

    Make sure you are setting each transition up correctly and then riding the horse through it. Ask bigger questions and expect more from him.

    Shift Expectations & Have Patience

    I really think that it all comes down to your position first and foremost. I also feel that as the ‘team leader’ you are all the time looking for new ways to keep your horse inspired.

    Simple things like getting out of the arena and riding out with others are often enough to begin seeing the energy move.

    Keep in mind that in order to move forwards, in the true sense of the word, your horse must engage his core. His core is going to take time to develop, so have patience and look for a few strides at a time initially.

    Using natural slopes is a great way to help him get started. However, once again, you being in the right position is essential in order for you both to then capitalize on this.

    Happy Riding

    Lorna

    Some other resources to help with this topic:-

  • 3 Mistakes Riders Makes when Riding the Sitting Trot

    3 Mistakes Riders Makes when Riding the Sitting Trot

    3 Mistakes Riders Make when Riding the Sitting Trot

    What this episode is all about & how it can help you:-

    • Think different words which will help you to move differently
    • Stop holding on in the sitting trot
    • Understand how to balance rather than ‘grip’ with your legs

    [smart_track_player url=”https://op3.dev/e/traffic.libsyn.com/dailystridespodcast/1072-The-3-Mistakes-Riders-Make-when-Riding-the-Sitting-Trot.mp3″ title=”3 Mistakes Riders Make when Riding the Sitting Trot” social_linkedin=”true” social_pinterest=”true” social_email=”true” tweet_text=”What not to do when riding the sitting trot with your horse… Daily Strides Podcast episode” hashtag=”horseriding” twitter_username=”strides_success” ]

    The sitting trot can be a challenge for many riders.  Being told how to ‘absorb the movement’ which can leave you scratching your head.  Or just move ‘with the horse’.  Another confusing term, especially when you have never managed it before.  This is going to be a little different…

    Have you ever noticed how it is often easier if you’re told what not to do, rather than what to do.  Sometimes the ‘don’t do this’ are easier to follow along with.  You can identify yourself better in those situations, possibly because they are already happening to you!

    In this episode of the Daily Strides Podcast I want to tell you what not to do in the sitting trot.  I hope that by hearing at least one of these things, you can have an ‘aha’ moment.  Knowing what you are doing wrong is one of the easiest ways to begin swapping out those habits for ones that better serve you.

    I believe that one of the reasons you might be struggling so much with the sitting trot, is because of how you are thinking about it.  Your mindset around the sitting trot.  The words you are using to describe it, which are influencing how you ride it. 

    Changing the Words Around the Sitting Trot

    If I asked you to think of the sitting trot or describe the sitting trot in one word, what would that word be?   For many riders the words bouncy or uncomfortable are top of the list.  Those types of words create a resistance in your mind, and therefore your body, when it comes to riding the sitting trot.

    Another common way riders make the sitting trot difficult for themselves is by thinking that they must ‘stay still’. No, you must move with your horse! In fact, ‘staying still’ will only cause you to work against your horse…

    If you can begin to reframe the words you are using to describe the sitting trot, you will begin to respond differently in the sitting trot.  ‘Moving with’ rather than ‘bouncing’.  Begin thinking about what you are telling yourself the sitting trot is, or is not.  Using different words will allow you to feel differently about how you approach the movement.

    Stop Holding On!

    One of the things that really drives me a little crazy when it comes to riders and the sitting trot is holding on.  Why do so many riders want to grab the pommel of the saddle, or the neck strap, when riding sitting trot?

    Holding on with your hands to something in front of you will NOT help you to ride a better sitting trot.  Your arms are simply not long enough! 

    What you will find is that holding on will cause you to either tip forwards into a fork seat, or close your chest and slouch your shoulders.  Both of those position faults lead to unbalanced riders, so rather don’t do either!

    Why This Affects Your Sitting Trot

    If you put a measuring tape from the point of your shoulder, across your chest to the point of your other shoulder, we want this to be wide.  When you hold on, it causes you to literally close or shorten your chest, which means you are no longer carrying yourself in the saddle.

    This ‘slouching’ and heaviness caused by not carrying yourself through the top half of your body stops your hips and seat from moving.  It shuts down your ability to follow your horse.  

    Disengaging your core, and therefore your seat, interferes with your overall balance, your ability to communicate with your horse and your effectiveness as a rider. It changes you from being a rider to being a passenger in the saddle.

    The result is that your movements, which will happen as the horse moves underneath you, will be too slow and stiff.  This leads to you moving against the horse, which leads to the ‘bounce’ or discomfort many riders experience in the sitting trot.

    How Lessons on the Lunge Can Help You

    I am a huge fan of riders taking lessons on the lunge.  You are on the horse, while a trainer or instructor is lunging the horse and giving you a lesson.

    It allows you, the rider being lunged, to not have to focus on the horse, and just focus on yourself and your habits.  

    One of the ways that I find it really helps riders to become more natural when riding the sitting trot is due to them being able to ride without reins.  Holding their arms out, or just ‘pretending’ they are holding the reins helps the rider to carry themselves.

    Lunging allows you to truly build your position and correct your posture in the saddle. Keeping your chest nice and open.  Keeping your chin up. All to allow your hips to move with your horse.

    Stop Gripping with Your Knees

    So many riders believe that if they grip hard enough, their legs are going to keep them in the saddle.  Unless you have legs of steel, your legs are not going to keep you in the saddle.

    Your legs are for communicating with your horse, not holding you in place when you ride!  

    In my experience, children don’t do this.  For the most part, their legs do not come far enough down their horses sides to be an effective ‘grip’.  However, adult riders are different.  I have met so many riders who are exhausted after each ride, purely from the effort required to ‘stay on’. Horse riding should not be that difficult!

    If you are gripping with your legs in the sitting trot, it can be a difficult habit to break…  Try thinking about how it is negatively impacting both you and your horse…

    For your horse, the gripping acts like a vice-grip on the horses back and most (maybe all) horses really don’t like that feeling.  They will try to get out from underneath it by hollowing or ‘running away’.

    The Clothes Peg Effect…

    For you, the gripping is closing down any supple movement through your body.  It is this movement that allows you to ride a smooth sitting trot.  Think of your legs, when they are gripping, as being like a clothes peg.  They are ‘tight’ and squeezing on your horses sides.

    Every bounce, and each stride will become a bounce when you are gripping, you take will ‘push’ you up higher in the saddle.  The ‘clothes peg’ will begin to slip off the horse – meaning you will begin to slip off the horse!

    Rather try to ‘drape’ your legs.  Like curtains. In constant contact with your horses sides so you can communicate. 

    Riding the sitting trot does not have to be difficult or hard.  If you can identify with any of the above, chances are that you are making this harder on yourself, and your horse, than it needs to be.

    Remember the ‘hinge’ movement and rather try to practice that in your sitting trot.

    Happy Riding

    Lorna

    I am hosting a free live online training on “The 6 Basics to Focus On in Your Riding” and I would love for you to join me there…  If you’re interested, you can register for your seat by CLICKING HERE

    CLICK HERE to save your seat in the free live online training

    Links mentioned in the episode:-

     

  • Hokey Pokey or Swinging Legs While Riding

    Hokey Pokey or Swinging Legs While Riding

    Hokey Pokey or Swinging Legs While Riding

    What this episode is all about & how it can help you:-

    • Understand how you are sitting in the saddle might be affecting everything
    • Realise the disastrous effects this can have on your overall position
    • Focus on ‘feeling’ what your leg is doing in order to improve things
    • Work in walk, then trot and then transitions

    [smart_track_player url=”https://op3.dev/e/traffic.libsyn.com/dailystridespodcast/1071-Hokey-Pokey-or-Swinging-Legs-While-Riding.mp3″ title=”Hokey Pokey or Swinging Legs While Riding” social_linkedin=”true” social_pinterest=”true” social_email=”true” tweet_text=”Are you legs doing there own thing when you’re riding? Check out this podcast episode that will help…” hashtag=”horseriding” twitter_username=”strides_success” ]

    Be honest… Are you finding yourself doing the hokey pokey in the saddle more than you would like?  Your right leg is in.  Your right leg is out.  In out, in out, shaking all about…

    Swinging legs are a huge issue for so many riders and what makes it all the more frustrating is that as soon as you begin to ‘fix’ your legs, well they seem to lose all effectiveness as well.

    In this episode of the Daily Strides Podcast we will chat about how you can begin to ‘quiet’ your legs by making some changes that actually have very little to do with your legs themselves.

    I believe that most cases of hokey pokey legs, or swinging legs are actually a symptom of something else, rather than the root problem itself.  Fix the cause and, very often, the symptoms will magically disappear as well.

    Swinging Legs are Frustrating for All Involved…

    There are situations where we want a little daylight between your body parts and the saddle.  However your leg, particularly your lower leg (so everything below the knee) is one of those.  Having your leg literally ‘off’ the horses sides means there is no communication happening.

    It also means there is a lot of instability in the riders basic position, which usually results in the rider depending on the horse for balance. 

    Swinging legs also result in a constant chatter of irrelevant noise being fed to the horse from the riders legs, which results in the horse eventually tuning out from what the rider has to say.

    Responsiveness in horses is generally a direct reflection of the riders technique and consistency (or lack of either) in the saddle. 

    The other frustrating reality of swinging legs is that because the rider is lacking the ability to balance themselves in the saddle, things can become pretty hairy!  The potential for falls is dramatically increased, which leads to a further breakdown of confidence for both horse & rider.

    How You Are Sitting in the Saddle

    One of the most obvious and common reasons for swinging legs is due to the rider sitting incorrectly in the saddle.  Put plainly, they are not sitting on their bum!  A forked seat is when the rider is pitched forward on their crotch, which results in extremely tight and stiff hips, pelvis and thighs.

    This fork seat results in the rider looking like a ‘duck’ in the saddle.  Their bum is sticking out behind them.  Their shoulders are pinned back which results in their back having an uncomfortable and unnatural ‘over arch’ through it.  Even typing this feels rigid and stiff!  Definitely not ideal for a supple, balanced rider.

    Your swinging legs are merely a symptom of a bigger issue, which is your incorrect seat.  The irony is that most riders just focus on ‘stilling’ their floppy leg – which only serves to increase the overall stiffness & tension.

    Resist All Temptation to Grip with Your Knees

    The other issue that often accompanies swinging legs is gripping knees!  Don’t grip with your knees.  Doing so immediately shuts down your ability to stabilise and balance yourself in the saddle.

    Gripping with your knees and a closed, tight hips in the saddle are a little like the chicken and the egg.  It is often uncertain which came first, however the result is always the same – an ineffective and unbalanced rider. 

    If you are worried that you might just be gripping with your knees you can find out pretty quickly by sliding your hand between your knee and the knee roll of your saddle. If you can ‘swing’ your knee out without resistance, you don’t have to worry.

    However, if your knee feels locked on the saddle, consider that it might just be a result of how you are sitting.  Correct your seat in the saddle and try again until you don’t feel the resistance.

    Paying Attention to Your Position

    As already mentioned, one of the major downsides to swinging legs is the loss of position for the rider.  Whether the position is failing due to an incorrect seat or due to the riders lack of balance and confidence will depend on each situation.

    When your position is changed it results in less effective communication between horse and rider. 

    It also means that you have to do more every time you apply an active aid…  A good, correct position is so important to your long-term success in the saddle.

    It is worth mentioning again that your swinging legs are usually only a symptom of something else going on further up your body.  So correcting your basic position can be a simple yet effective way of beginning to gain control of your legs while riding.

    A Quick Position Check From the Ground

    A simple yet effective way of feeling how a correct position is can actually be done off of your horse.  Stand on the ground with your legs wider than hip width apart.  Pretend you are in the saddle, so bend your knees.

    Notice how it feels to remain aligned while holding this position – the head, shoulder, hip, heel line that should be present when you are in the saddle.

    Pay attention to where your seat bones are pointing.  Also pay attention to the angle between the front of your thigh and the front of your tummy.  This is the angle that needs to be open and free in order to allow your thighs to be open, and therefore your knees to be free in the saddle.

    Becoming Mindful of Your Lower Leg as You Ride

    Once you have fixed the cause of your swinging legs, you must now work on developing and strengthening your leg, particularly your lower leg.

    Focusing on a lack of daylight between your lower leg and your horses sides is always a good place to begin.  

    Checking in on yourself throughout the ride by sliding your hand between your knee and the knee rolls to see how open your knees actually are.  Tiredness and tension caused by things not going exactly to plan can cause hold habits to reappear, so it is a good idea to be aware of what is happening the further you are into your ride.

    Paying Attention to Swinging Legs during Transitions

    I am going to caution you here about thinking that the issue is solved only to realise that old habits are truly hard to change when it comes to transitions…  So often I see riders begin to master a more quiet and effective lower leg when ‘going’.  Perhaps they are trotting or walking, or even cantering.

    However as soon as a transition occurs, their leg migrates forward or backwards offering no support to either the rider themselves or the horse!

    Transitions are, in my opinion, an area which demand a lot of attention to detail from the rider.  Try to hold your leg position throughout the transition.  This is obviously with the exception of transitions that require your lower leg to move in order to signal to your horse.

    Very often it is easier to recognise and see the symptoms, those swinging legs, which will let you know that your seat has shifted or your upper body has tilted or tipped again.

    Where to Begin…

    I am going to suggest beginning in walk and correcting your position and aids in the walk.  Obviously then building on to trot and later the canter.  I also suggest, as mentioned, paying particular attention to your lower leg through transitions.

    Correcting this may seem like a bit of an uphill battle initially.  However, once you realise that your swinging legs are a symptom of something else it really does make all the difference. 

    Identifying that root cause is vitally important and changing that, before you try anything else, is the easiest and least frustrating way to remedy those hokey pokey legs.

    Happy Riding

    Lorna

    I am hosting a free live online training on “The 6 Basics to Focus On in Your Riding” and I would love for you to join me there…  If you’re interested, you can register for your seat by CLICKING HERE

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    Links mentioned in the episode:-

  • Reschooling a Horse that is Dead to Your Leg

    Reschooling a Horse that is Dead to Your Leg

    Reschooling a Horse that is Dead to the Leg

    What this episode is all about & how it can help you:-

    • Figuring out why your horse is dead to the leg
    • Committing to consistency going forward
    • Creating a ‘rule’
    • Refining your ‘rule’

    We have all been there.   You are in the saddle on your horse, you are riding away – you apply your leg, and … NOTHING.  He is just completely ignoring everything, and you must resort to these huge kicks.  Oh yes, the horse that is dead to the leg.

    It is extremely frustrating, because you know the key to everything is forwardness, but you just cannot get into first gear to get any forwardness happening.  Why does this happen?

    Figuring out why your horse is like this

    There are a couple of reasons, and today I want to touch on the three main ones that I see happening time when dealing with a horse who is dead to the leg.

    1.  Some horses are just more ‘docile’ than others.  They are laid back and not really concerned about how fast they can go or how high they can jump.  They like to take life nice and easy, and take you the rider with them!  Of the three we are going to talk about today, this is probably the smallest group of horses.
    2. Lack of Consistency.  By this I mean the lack of consistency as a rider.  One day the rider is in the saddle and focused on schooling and responsiveness.  They have expectations of their horse based on what they are doing that day.   The ‘lack’ comes in when the next day, they just take it easy and let the horse do whatever they want.  Not really caring what is going on with the legs or any other aid.  This can lead the horse to become a little confused, or rather he thinks the rider is confused!  He then just decides to ignore all further directions coming from the legs of the rider in the saddle.  This is how a lack of consistency can cause a horse to be dead to the leg.
    3. Consistently doing the ‘wrong things’ in the saddle.   I am referring to a rider who is consistently banging and moving about in the saddle.  Many riders are up there and have no control over their body.  They are slapping their legs, and moving and wiggling and shaking…  The horse just never knows if that was a speed wobble from the rider, or if it was an actual aid.  So again, the horse decides to do nothing.  I personally think that this is the most common cause of horses to become dead to the leg.   It is also worth keep in mind that it may not have been you that has trained the horse this way.  This potentially happened long before you met or rode your horse, when somebody else was riding your horse.

    The third point is seen a lot in riding school ponies – bless their souls!  Because there is that consistent nagging (slap slap, bang bang, slap slap) going on from rider’s legs on their sides, which they have learned to ignore.

    However, when you get a rider who wants to communicate, well, they ignore it as well unless the rider makes it quite clear that they are open to having a real conversation, rather than just banging and shouting at the horse.

    This not only happens with riding school ponies, but you also get all sorts of horses that just over time have been exposed to riding in that way, and therefore their default method of ‘staying sane’, is to ignore the rider.

    Whatever the reason is – and I think it is important to understand what the reason is with your horse – we now must start looking at how we can turn things around.

    Committing to consistency going forward

    Firstly, we should commit to consistency going forward, but it must be doing the right kind of things consistently in order for this to work .  What we are looking for here, is that every time you are on your horse, you are consistent in how you are ask or communicate.

    Gone are the days where one day you are so strict and you want everything to be so refined and perfect, and then the next day you just let your horse do whatever he wants.  There must be a consistency from you the rider, to improve your horses responsiveness. This is particularly true when to reschool a horse to listen and respond to the leg aids again.

    Creating a ‘rule’

    In order for you and your horse to know where you stand with each other, you need ‘rules’.  The way I would go about creating a rule in this situation, is using a schooling whip.  I prefer a schooling whip over perhaps a jumping crop or a shorter whip, so that when you apply the aid, your hands do not have to come off the reins and break the contact.

    The reason we would use our stick is to remind our horse that, “Yes, I just used my leg, and that means please respect my leg and respond”. 

    How I would use this is that when you put your leg on and your horse ignores it, immediately give just a tap behind your leg.  The timing is everything here, it must be immediate so your horse begins to see the connection.

    The schooling while is almost like the way a teacher would use a pointer in the classroom, to point something out on the board. Or bring the classes attention to something specific.

    You are going to use the stick to tap behind your leg.  This is key.  Not the shoulder, not the hindquarters, not behind your thigh, it must be behind your lower leg where you are applying the aid that he has just ignored.

    It is also important that you always give the option of the leg first, otherwise it does become like ‘beating’ the horse.  By doing this you are saying to your horse, “Excuse me, I just said something and you ignored me – can you please answer me”.

    In my experience, it usually takes no more than three to four times before the horse starts to listen to the leg.  He realises there is a consequence.  A direct reaction to their inaction.  This is where the consistency on your part comes in.

    You say leg, he doesn’t respond, you respond straight away with the tap with the schooling stick.  That is how you create the rule.

    Refining Your ‘Rule’

    Over time, you will obviously need to start refining the rule.  It is not practical to have a schooling whip with you all the time, reminding, reminding, reminding!

    How you will begin doing this is by again applying the leg but initially asking with a slightly stronger leg aid than what you would normally do.  This could be applying more pressure, or it could be an actual kick with your leg.

    Over time as you are refining it, you are more using the muscles in your leg, and it becomes about varying amounts of pressure.  More of where you want it to be.  The secret conversation, as opposed to Pony Club.

    Remember, as you are refining it, it is going to become softer and gentler.

    Allowing Your Horse To Respond

    The final piece when reschooling a horse who is dead to your leg, is that when you ask your horse to go forward, you must allow your horse to then go forward.  So many people will ask for forward, and as soon as the horse goes forward, they then shut the whole thing down.

    This could be a conscious (I don’t want him to ‘run’) or a subconscious (I don’t want to be run away with) reaction.  Whatever the reason, if you keep asking and then changing your mind, your horse will begin ignoring you again.

    Because we are reschooling here, and he must respect what you are saying, you must then follow through with allowing him to complete whatever task you asked him to do.  This comes into not only forwardness, but if you are asking for lateral work or whatever else you may be asking.

    You must allow and facilitate that happening underneath your saddle, for it to become a new, and better way of you and your horse talking to each other.

    Happy Riding

    Lorna

    Links mentioned in the episode:-