Monday, June 4, 2012

Debbie Sams: Knees and Heels Creeping Up

Part 7 in the “Deep Seat” series

Problem

Tension in the leg muscles causes the knees and heels to creep up. You will notice this most often when you are learning something new (Illus. 21).

Illus. 21
Problem: Knees and heels creeping up


Solution
Remind yourself to stretch the leg long and soft. Then reposition the leg so it is flatter against the saddle.
Reposition and roll thighsLift thighs, and move the leg back farther than needed, then bring the leg forward a bit while pulling the muscle and flab of the inner thigh behind the leg (Illus. 22). This will cause the leg to lie more closely on the horse’s side with the flat inner leg of the rider on the horse.


Illus. 22
Solution: Lift legs away from horse.
Bring thigh back, knee down, heel and calf back, toes up, heels down.

Imagine your heels are rocksThey are slowly sinking.
Stretch heel down Imagine that there is a weight attached to the heel that is pulling the heel down, without the rider's having to force it down (Illus. 23).



Illus. 23
Solution: Weighted heel
Lift legs away from horse. Bring thigh back, knee down, heel and calf back, toes up, heels down.

Read Part 1 (Sticking to Your Horse with a Deep Seat) in the "Deep Seat" series
Read Part 2 (Deep Seat versus Light Seat) in the "Deep Seat" series
Read Part 3 (Deep Seat Problem and Solution) in the "Deep Seat" series
Read Part 4 (Arched Back — Problems and Solutions) in the "Deep Seat" series
Read Part 5 (Torso Leaning Forward — Collapsed Chest) in the "Deep Seat" series
Read Part 6 (Rounded Shoulders, Collapsed Chest) in the "Deep Seat" series


Debbie Sams teaches English and Western riding with an emphasis on dressage. At her Springer's Stables in Broadalbin, New York, she also teaches drill team and vaulting. Her farm gives pony parties and holds horse camps for scouts and local community college and elementary school youth programs, as well as for the Sacandaga Bible Conference and Retreat Center. Debbie has been teaching drama and drill team on horseback since 1979; in 1985 she became a Certified Horsemanship Association Instructor. She is the author of 101 Drill Team Exercises and has also put her horse knowledge to work in writing for such publications as Practical Horseman, Equus, and the Northeast Horseman’s Journal.

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