Riding Faults that just start happening- or what the heck happened to my toes?!

[Cancara]

I just got back to riding after 9 months off following car accident, and it feels great. :)The horses I have been lucky enough to get on have been wonderful and I look forward to every lesson.

My only slight gripe is that I've ridden for over 10 years now and my lower leg position was always pretty much ok, but now that I've started up again after some months away, my toes are a source of constant horror! A kind friend has been snapping me so I can have a look at my faults, and they are always poking out at right angles from the horse's side and look appalling. It's not a problem I had before- I used to be pretty good at keeping them pointing forwards! Where has this come from?! Any tips, and has anyone else had a glitch that 'suddenly' appeared after years and they had to get rid of?!

[FlashGordon]

I'm not Eq expert nor am I a trainer but I will tell you what helped me...

Working on core strength, general fitness, and finding an instructor with more of a dressage base and an understanding of biomechanics.

I found that I was having this issue with my toes, specifically when I was very out of shape. I was trying maintain my pretty H/J eq and without the strength in my core and my legs I was rocking back onto the back/outer part of my leg. Not only did it force my toes out but it altered the way I was using my pelvis and in turn was affecting the forward motion of the horses I was riding.

I found a new trainer who dropped my stirrups a few holes and reminded me that I didn't need to be forcing my heel down-- all I was doing was tensing, clamping, and using both my leg and seat in an inefficient fashion in an attempt to maintain a pretty picture or, in some cases, stay on through bad behavior.

We did more than a few longe line lessons and lots of strengthening and balancing exercises. She changed the way I used my seat and leg and while I ended up with I a lovely leg and an effective seat. I only rode with her for about 6 months but my riding has never undergone such a serious change in such a short time.

Good luck!

[Woodland]

Very good advice so far. Here is what I tell my students when they get "funny feet" I tell them to imagine a duck walking on the sand with their webbed feet spread wide for balance. Feel the sand between your toes as you spread your toes open wide.

You are clenching. Your bottom building block is not correct so it tightens your lower leg and swings your toes out. Open your toes and it will correct the problem.

Here are some exercises I have my students do.

Unmounted place a basketball or similar between your knees and walk around for 5 - 15 mins(when no one is looking)It helps develop correct muscling and ligament stretch required for riders who have had down time. Then sit in a chair with the ball between your knees squeeze and release - repeat, then squeeze and hold count to 10 then release - do for 5 - 15 mins once or twice a day.

Mounted: Take your feet out of the stirrups. Place the stirrups on your toes and walk you horse. If you drop the stirrup pick it back up with only your toes. When proficient at the walk do this at the sitting then posting trot. Next while in the saddle take your feet turn them in to touch your horses shoulders then back out all the way. then in and hold to 10 and release ten repeat for 5 - 10 mins.

Your muscles are just not where they were before the accident. Redevelop them and you will have your toes again!!! :yes: