Dumb question about jumping

[CanterQueen]

(I also posted this in the hunter/jumper forum)

Okay, I schooled in dressage earlier on, but now I’m just a regular trail rider in a western saddle turned mounted search and rescue volunteer on the weekends. I thought taking some jumping lessons would be helpful if I encounter natural obstacles while out on the trail. I purchased a nice, used jumping saddle and used it on my first jumping lesson. Going from long-legged-western stirrups to short-knees-in-my-face-english stirrups was hard enough, but at the end of the lesson my inner calves were totally trashed. I was wearing riding jeans, no chaps or half chaps. So what’s up??? Are my stirrups too short, my legs in the wrong place, is my saddle wrong for me, or should I just put on a pair of half chaps, grin and bear it?

Oh great COTHERs please help me out!!!

[Beverley]

Well, it’s a good sign that it was your calves and not your knees that were trashed, evidence of decent and proper leg position/use! But yeah, jumping in jeans in general is hard on the legs- wear chaps or half chaps.

[Acertainsmile]

Your legs should not feel like they are in your face when riding English… position your stirrups so that they hit your ankle (or a tad above) while you leg is relaxed out of the stirrup. I would suggest half chaps, full chaps, or breeches with tall boots untill you get used to things!

[throwurheart]

Half chaps, full chaps or tall boots are required to ride English comfortably if you’re riding correctly for any length of time. It’s just the way it works. (there might be some people out there who could ride a full lesson in proper position without leg coverings, but I don’t know anyone)

[CanterQueen]

thanks for the great feedback

I feel better. I thought I was going to have to try jumping in my Western saddle!! I’ll pick up some half chaps this week and try lowering my stirrups a hole or two.

[SteeleRdr]

You can also try a trick most exercise riders use. When I was riding 'chasers my friend who was an eventer turned me on to leggings. They are a stretchy “leg warmer” type thing, but they prevent rubs across the front of your shin and on your inner calf. Would be a cheaper option for you than half chaps.

[Hotspur]

I applaude your inspiration to jump and to make the transition to english tack and techniques! Please be sure to include an approved helmut in your must have items when you are out having fun with your horse.

Hotspur

[jeano]

you can jump, not prettily, but pop over trail obstacles safely in almost any hornless saddle, which could include endurance type or aussie saddles, most of which give you the option of using western style fenders to save you from the pinching and rubbing. As far as that goes, you can jump low stuff with a normal western saddle but you will meet the old saddle horn from time to time. George Morris wont approve of your technique, but he’s probably not going to be out there while you do search and rescue, so dont sweat it. I loff western fenders and prefer that option to dealing with tall boots or half chaps, mostly because I have killer calves and would need custom boots…My suggestion would be to practice hopping trail obstacles on the trail, using the tack and gear you wear on search and rescure, AFTER learning the basics the proper way.
I am way envious of you, learning to jump. My most likely never to be realized equestrian dream is to go on a foxhunt…

My trail horses sometimes make prodigious leaps over some little stuff on the trail, like ditches they could step over, and I have to work a lot harder on not hanging onto their mouths than I do on avoiding the horn…

[Carol_Ames]

bandages and molefoam

wrap your legst,with bandagespolo, or track;:winkgrin: eventually I wemt to using molefoam:lol: , look for it with Dr, Scholls’ products, cut it out and put on my shin bones:yes:

[Acertainsmile]

[QUOTE=SteeleRdr;2706772]
You can also try a trick most exercise riders use. When I was riding 'chasers my friend who was an eventer turned me on to leggings. They are a stretchy “leg warmer” type thing, but they prevent rubs across the front of your shin and on your inner calf. Would be a cheaper option for you than half chaps.[/QUOTE]

I agree, they are hard to find… I guard mine with my life, LOL… you can try Pinksracing.com… I beleive they have them for sale…if they are to tight, you can cut the top with a pair of scissors to loosen them up… (remember, jockeys usually have skinny legs).

[SteeleRdr]

Middleburg Tack has them, as well as Bit of Britain. I got mine from Bit of Britain.

http://www.bitofbritain.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=0288

[Acertainsmile]

I gave you bad info… here is the link

http://storesense.megawebservers.com/HS1756/Detail.bok?no=977

Who knew they were at a local tack shop… maybe I can let my guard down! LOL!