Lower leg strength and mobilityBy Bex Mason, show jumper
We know that our position on a horse is paramount to
successful riding. A key part is from your seat downwards, as this is the
connecting point between the two of you! When jumping, ideally your hip and
heel should be aligned, your stirrup on the ball of your foot, with a slight
bend of the knee and, all importantly, your heels firmly down.
We are naturally synchronised to use our hips, knees and
ankles in all our day-to-day movements, therefore it is also a normal progress
to transfer this to our riding technique when mounted. However, we can improve on our natural
abilities by strengthening the muscles and joints needed for horse riding, and
especially jumping!
I have proposed some exercises below, to give you some ideas
for strengthening and mobilising your lower leg.
Exercises off the horse:
Cycling, running and swimming will all help lower leg and
core muscles throughout the body, but a good tip for riders is Step Work. Find
a suitable solid step anywhere; part of a staircase is ideal - step on, placing
the balls of your feet on the edge of the step, then bending your knees
slightly - drop your heels down as far as you can. Remember to stay upright and
look straight ahead. This is a simulation of your foot in the stirrup, and
should help to train your muscles and help your balance. This exercise will specifically target calf
muscles!
Exercises on the horse:
Stand up in your stirrups, slightly forward, with a bend in
your knee – you may rest your hands on the horse’s neck for stability – keep
the stirrups on the balls of your feet, and try to anchor your heels down. Initially,
do this while the horse is standing still with someone holding him, and later
in the walk. Try to manage half a minute at a time, slowly building to longer
periods and eventually you should be comfortable also at trot and canter!
Riding without stirrups, keeping your legs long and wrapped
around the horse, will also really strengthen all the right muscles and, very
importantly, your balance on a horse. It is best to start this on the lunge in
a small enclosed area with a trusted friend or instructor.
With any exercises like this you will probably ‘feel the
burn’; but work through the discomfort! Hard work, dedication, repetition and
determination will reap rewards.
Happy riding!
About Bex
Derriere Equestrian
ambassador Bex Mason has worked for many years breaking in horses and competing
at an international level with elite riders such as Tina and Graham Fletcher
(GB), Ludo Philleaperts (BEL), Steve Cohan (NZ) and Viki Roycroft (AUS). Bex
specialises in producing competition horses.
“I find myself expressing love for my Derrieres daily,” Bex says of the underwear range. “I openly discuss the results and versatility of the products, whether it’s to customers at my yard, or fellow competitors at shows; I don’t even realise I’m doing it - these pants change riders’ lives!”
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