Improving body stability while jumping

[DawgLady]

Hi gang! My horse just started jumping a couple of weeks ago after a long rehab post-suspensory injury. We did tons of flatwork in rehab, so I feel fairly “legged up.” Unfortunately, when I started jumping again, I was extremely dismayed at my instability in the air. I’m sure it wasn’t THAT bad, because my trainer didn’t say anything. But it felt yucky. You know how it is.

I’ve done plenty of two-point trotting and cantering throughout rehab, but apparently that’s not enough. I can’t jump him a bunch, obviously. So what can I do to improve my stability in the air? (BTW, the school horses are already overtaxed, so that’s out).

[blondewithchrome]

No stirrup work on the flat. It works leg and core stability and doesn’t require that you jump. Also work on core strength out of the saddle too - having leg stability is one thing, but total body control is very important in the air too!

if you feel like you’re losing leg stability, also remember to always think about stepping FORWARD and DOWN in the air. This helps me think about staying down through my heel, and ensures you land with your weight where it should be - not tipping or perching.

[PonyPenny]

How is your stirrup length? Too long of stirrups can definitely affect stability. It is okay to shorten your stirrups a hole when you start jumping.

[DawgLady]

@PonyPenny

How is your stirrup length? Too long of stirrups can definitely affect stability. It is okay to shorten your stirrups a hole when you start jumping.

Absolutely true, and I did go up a hole to jump.

Maybe I need some gymnastics so I can just focus on my own position? Just thought of that.

[SugarCubes]

Do you workout outside of the barn? Four days a week has made an enormous difference in my body control and position.

Your gymnastics idea is a good one too, in the past I’ve had success going through gymnastics with the reins bridged in one hand and the other hand behind my back or on my hips.

[DawgLady]

@SugarCubes

Do you workout outside of the barn? Four days a week has made an enormous difference in my body control and position.

Um, I have not. Other than riding my horses and walking my dogs, exercise feels like slow, cruel torture to me. But your point is taken! Are you doing weights, cardio, or both?

[largo]

I second working out in addition to gymnastics/no stirrups work. I do short sessions 3 times a week (light weights, HIIT) and it’s mostly cured my life long round back. Highly recommend giving that a shot!

[DawgLady]

@largo

I second working out in addition to gymnastics/no stirrups work. I do short sessions 3 times a week (light weights, HIIT) and it’s mostly cured my life long round back. Highly recommend giving that a shot!

Do you go to a gym, or…?

[endlessclimb]

@blondewithchrome

No stirrup work on the flat. It works leg and core stability and doesn’t require that you jump. Also work on core strength out of the saddle too - having leg stability is one thing, but total body control is very important in the air too!

if you feel like you’re losing leg stability, also remember to always think about stepping FORWARD and DOWN in the air. This helps me think about staying down through my heel, and ensures you land with your weight where it should be - not tipping or perching.

Can you describe this a little more?

I have a knee pinching habit that I’m trying to nip in the bud this winter, and visuals really help me.

[blondewithchrome]

@endlessclimb

Can you describe this a little more?

I have a knee pinching habit that I’m trying to nip in the bud this winter, and visuals really help me.

indeed! I am the same way. Think about how in a two point position, instead of resting your foot in the stirrup with a slight drop at the heel, actively think about stepping down on the iron and down through your heel - You should envision pushing the tread of your boot on your heel forward towards your horse’s shoulder in the air. I like doing this over low grids where I can get in that position a stride or two out and really work on feeling the stability in my leg. It’s a different feel than just shoving your heel down super far.

It feels a little overkill at first but I use it when I need to counteract my leg swinging over a bigger jump, so it gets the job done!

[endlessclimb]

@blondewithchrome

indeed! I am the same way. Think about how in a two point position, instead of resting your foot in the stirrup with a slight drop at the heel, actively think about stepping down on the iron and down through your heel - You should envision pushing the tread of your boot on your heel forward towards your horse’s shoulder in the air. I like doing this over low grids where I can get in that position a stride or two out and really work on feeling the stability in my leg. It’s a different feel than just shoving your heel down super far.

It feels a little overkill at first but I use it when I need to counteract my leg swinging over a bigger jump, so it gets the job done!

Awesome, this really helps. Thank you!

[SugarCubes]

@DawgLady

Um, I have not. Other than riding my horses and walking my dogs, exercise feels like slow, cruel torture to me. But your point is taken! Are you doing weights, cardio, or both?

:lol: I agree, I have to psych myself up for it every day, but it has made such a difference in my riding which has been super motivating! I do cardio kickboxing, so it’s HIIT training with a mix of cardio, weights, and tons of core work. I think the key is to find something you find fun (or at least tolerable) so you can stick with it. I’d die if I had to run on a treadmill everyday or go to a gym and lift weights on my own - that’s just not my thing, but this was the first workout I actually had fun doing.

[Lusoluv]

What’s helped me the most, since I can’t concentrate on more than 1 thing at a time, is think “hips back” as I jump. It’s too easy to pitch at the fence in anticipation, which causes us to lean forward, knee pinch, lower leg comes back, etc. But Denny Emmerson’s mantra of “hips back” keeps you weight in your lower leg and hips vs shoulders and chest.

[endlessclimb]

@Lusoluv

What’s helped me the most, since I can’t concentrate on more than 1 thing at a time, is think “hips back” as I jump. It’s too easy to pitch at the fence in anticipation, which causes us to lean forward, knee pinch, lower leg comes back, etc. But Denny Emmerson’s mantra of “hips back” keeps you weight in your lower leg and hips vs shoulders and chest.

I think I’ve “gotten” this feeling only a couple times. Conceptually it makes total sense, but I can’t get the “feel” of it, if you will.

[greysfordays]

I think most everyone will find a visual that works best for them. My poor trainer has probably said all of them to me . I find that I’m too quick with my upper body and then come back too soon in the air. That’s both timing and strength. The thing that helps me the most is to keep my eyes WAY UP and occasionally grab mane. That seems to slow down my folding and keep me more in the center of the horse. I remember hearing a couple years ago about McLain talking to Adrienne Sternlicht in the warmup at Spruce and telling her to look up to the tops of the trees. It’s totally silly but for me it helps a ton!

[anon68314200]

Mary Wanless rider mechanics

[DawgLady]

@blondewithchrome , that was the best advice!! I focused on stepping forward and down in the air during my lesson yesterday…and I was rock steady in the air! I felt like my old self. THANK YOU so much for sharing that with me.

[largo]

@DawgLady

Do you go to a gym, or…?

No, I do at home workouts in my apartment with dumbbells!

[blondewithchrome]

@DawgLady

@blondewithchrome , that was the best advice!! I focused on stepping forward and down in the air during my lesson yesterday…and I was rock steady in the air! I felt like my old self. THANK YOU so much for sharing that with me.

love to hear that!!! It’s a little mental trick I was taught and it’s amazing how just thinking “push my heel forward” keeps your leg grounded perfectly beneath you!!

[blondewithchrome]

@greysfordays

. I remember hearing a couple years ago about McLain talking to Adrienne Sternlicht in the warmup at Spruce and telling her to look up to the tops of the trees. It’s totally silly but for me it helps a ton!

ouhh, this is a good one. I like this too, because it keeps me from STARING at the jump and pitching my body forward at it trying to make a big effort, especially if it’s “bigger” (for me, maybe 3’ lol). It’s funny how removing the object from your direct line of vision and focusing above and beyond the jump helps with more subtle body movements! My trainer likes to remind me that I don’t need to “help” my horse get off the ground with my body but I should rather help him do his job by not interfering. Easier said than done Haha!