Equitation Help (smile & stiff ankles)

[g8tedsaddlebredlover]

When I concentrate (so only when I am riding) Haha and equitate I suck my lips in or my tounge out, I try to concentrate on not doing that but it distracts me from my riding. Does anyone else have this problem? If so what have you done? I think I might try some bad tasting lip gloss/balm. But i would really like not to have to do that so any suggestions? I also have stiff ankles does anybody have some excersices/stretches to help? My first show (of the season) :lol: is coming up this weekend and I would like to fix the lip problem ASAP

[CMGangelhoff]

I know a lot of Equitation riders who used to chew gum - but you need to be careful with that so you don't look like a cow riding a horse.

[rider]

I don't have any tricks for biting your lips--perhaps try gently holding your tongue in between your teeth?
If what you mean by stiff ankles that you can't push yor heels down very far, then you'll be relieved to know that is not the style anymore. If you look closely at some of the top equitation riders today, their feet are almost parallel to the ground-it's their long jods that give the appearance of the heels being down. It's essential to have the heels jammed down in huntseat in order to stay on the horse, but not saddleseat. This is what happens when you do: If the heels are down too far and you are able to keep your leg very steady, then you probably also have too much contact with your lower calf. If you aren't turning your toes out, then your leg is probably moving back and forth. Instead try to ride with more contact towards the top of your thigh and knee. Take the weight out of your heels and think about using the front part of your stirrup. If you can practice on a quiet smooth horse you'll be able to focus on exactly what your legs are doing. Good luck!

[Mona129]

The mouth thing could be a physical manifestation of anxiety, nervousness, stress. If that is something you might relate to, then my remedy as I have that problem is to wiggle your toes. It's the longest nerves in the body, you can't wiggle your toes if you are clenched up anywhere in your body. After some toe wiggling, some deep sinking breaths and remind yourself you are doing something you love. Maybe changing up the routine, go trail riding, be HAPPY enough to smile and laugh on horseback again. :)

[g8tedsaddlebredlover]

The mouth thing could be a physical manifestation of anxiety, nervousness, stress. If that is something you might relate to, then my remedy as I have that problem is to wiggle your toes. It's the longest nerves in the body, you can't wiggle your toes if you are clenched up anywhere in your body. After some toe wiggling, some deep sinking breaths and remind yourself you are doing something you love. Maybe changing up the routine, go trail riding, be HAPPY enough to smile and laugh on horseback again. :)
I don't think it is nervosness bacause when I am not concentrating on it they are fine. It is when I start to do something I have to really try at. But I found a quick fix for this weekend! Yay! Any other suggestions would be great this has been SUPER helpful:D

[cparker912]

I tell my riders to have a pleasant expression, we have mirrors in our arena to look at...but dont force a smile, nothing looks worse. The smile should come naturally when you are making a great pass along the rail. If they make funny faces or look tense I have them sing or say ABCs in lessons...or I give the visual things to smile at when they show

For your legs, I have my riders stand on a step with just the balls of their feet and let their heels stretch down. While in the stirrup put your weight on your big toe/inside of your foot, that should help roll your ankle correctly. Also start out in 2pt or jockey and get that leg/foot in the right position. Good luck at your show!

[High Stakes]

I think the stretching exercises are great. You can also do ankle flexes while sitting doing anything - watching TV, at your computer etc. You can fo them several times a day.

The step exercise Christy mentioned is excellent to - you need to stretch those muscles and tendons along the back of your legs. She's right about your foot in the stirrup too - foot position in the stirrup is very important.

Sorry, your heels DO need to be down in equitation, even if not extremely so, and you will be a better rider for it no matter what the cut of your jods. It's not about style, it's about balance, control and being able to be effective with your legs and heels in riding your horse - it's not just for looks! If your posing you ain't equitating.

If you're making faces or suchlike when concentrating I suspect there IS some tension involved, or you wouldn't need to do it. You need to prepare yourself mentally for your ride, learn to relax is key. Whatever you're working on with your instructor at the moment, you have to do it until the correct way is second nature.

I always found breathing exercises helped and also made it easier for me to focus before riding or showing. Make yourself a mental checklist and add "relax my jaw and face" to the list!

You may not see big changes overnight, just keep working at it and before you know it your heals will be down and you'll be confident.

[g8tedsaddlebredlover]

I think the stretching exercises are great. You can also do ankle flexes while sitting doing anything - watching TV, at your computer etc. You can fo them several times a day.

The step exercise Christy mentioned is excellent to - you need to stretch those muscles and tendons along the back of your legs. She's right about your foot in the stirrup too - foot position in the stirrup is very important.

Sorry, your heels DO need to be down in equitation, even if not extremely so, and you will be a better rider for it no matter what the cut of your jods. It's not about style, it's about balance, control and being able to be effective with your legs and heels in riding your horse - it's not just for looks! If your posing you ain't equitating.

If you're making faces or suchlike when concentrating I suspect there IS some tension involved, or you wouldn't need to do it. You need to prepare yourself mentally for your ride, learn to relax is key. Whatever you're working on with your instructor at the moment, you have to do it until the correct way is second nature.

I always found breathing exercises helped and also made it easier for me to focus before riding or showing. Make yourself a mental checklist and add "relax my jaw and face" to the list!

You may not see big changes overnight, just keep working at it and before you know it your heals will be down and you'll be confident.

My trainer said the exact same thing haha, but thanks for the help guys!! I people on the rail supporting me and just being on my horse made me smile! He felt so good:) Still working on trying to turn my toe in as right now it kind of toes out just a little..any suggestions??

[shayna]

My trainer said the exact same thing haha, but thanks for the help guys!! I people on the rail supporting me and just being on my horse made me smile! He felt so good:) Still working on trying to turn my toe in as right now it kind of toes out just a little..any suggestions??

I read this in a book by Jessica Jaheil and I agree with her... it says that people (just like our horses that we judge so closely) are built differently and some of us are not built with our toes pointing forward... and forcing our toes to point forward (stiffening your ankles) when its not natural for us will put serious strain on your ankles, you knees, AND your hips.... So as long as your leg position is correct (ex... side of your calves touching the horse not squeezing with the back of them, that really points your toes out!) then don't worry about your toes pointing absolutely straight forward... its a matter of it looking better not a functional problem....

I think she is right because my instructors ALWAYS yelled at me for having my toes pointing out and now my knees and ankles just plain suck... I would say as long as the rest of your leg is in good position don't worry about your ankles and just brace them at show time if you are that worried about the appearance... i guess 5 minutes at a time won't ruin your joints!!!

[g8tedsaddlebredlover]

I read this in a book by Jessica Jaheil and I agree with her... it says that people (just like our horses that we judge so closely) are built differently and some of us are not built with our toes pointing forward... and forcing our toes to point forward (stiffening your ankles) when its not natural for us will put serious strain on your ankles, you knees, AND your hips.... So as long as your leg position is correct (ex... side of your calves touching the horse not squeezing with the back of them, that really points your toes out!) then don't worry about your toes pointing absolutely straight forward... its a matter of it looking better not a functional problem....

I think she is right because my instructors ALWAYS yelled at me for having my toes pointing out and now my knees and ankles just plain suck... I would say as long as the rest of your leg is in good position don't worry about your ankles and just brace them at show time if you are that worried about the appearance... i guess 5 minutes at a time won't ruin your joints!!!

That and I just grew (I am now 6 foot BLEHHHH) But I am struggling to get all this leg put back together!

[NBChoice]

I read this in a book by Jessica Jaheil and I agree with her... it says that people (just like our horses that we judge so closely) are built differently and some of us are not built with our toes pointing forward... and forcing our toes to point forward (stiffening your ankles) when its not natural for us will put serious strain on your ankles, you knees, AND your hips.... So as long as your leg position is correct (ex... side of your calves touching the horse not squeezing with the back of them, that really points your toes out!) then don't worry about your toes pointing absolutely straight forward... its a matter of it looking better not a functional problem....

I think she is right because my instructors ALWAYS yelled at me for having my toes pointing out and now my knees and ankles just plain suck... I would say as long as the rest of your leg is in good position don't worry about your ankles and just brace them at show time if you are that worried about the appearance... i guess 5 minutes at a time won't ruin your joints!!!

I have to agree with this. I took lessons with this one lady that focused on equitation(even though I don't show in it.) and she always wanted me to point my toes forward so much that at the end of my lesson my back and hips and legs would ACHE. I don't take lessons with her anymore, but now that I don't have to point my toes straight forward I've noticed that my bones and joints don't hurt anymore. :thumbup:

[kross]

My trainer said the exact same thing haha, but thanks for the help guys!! I people on the rail supporting me and just being on my horse made me smile! He felt so good:) Still working on trying to turn my toe in as right now it kind of toes out just a little..any suggestions??

CParker nailed it...you might have missed it in her post, [I][While in the stirrup put your weight on your big toe/inside of your foot, that should help roll your ankle correctly./I]

Some other expressions of the same concept: push your inside ankle to the ground. Make it so the judge can see the bottoms of your feet. (not really but it gives you a visual of how to roll your ankle).

Not everyone is a beautiful equitation rider, but the point behind equitation is form to function. And when I say form I'm not talking about a stiff I've assumed the position, but the relaxed correct alignments, they are a beautiful thing and they make for a beautiful presentation of one's self and their horse.