Ankle/back of calf pain when riding?

Question

Recently I upgraded from my rubber boots(which did me well for six years) to chaps and paddock boots. I can get my heels down now-- a big plus! That said, I've had some serious pain around my ankles, more so in one leg. I've got a big week ahead, riding twice a day and doing quite a bit of fence work.

How can I deal with this? I wonder if it's because my chaps are too tight around my jodphers.. or I'm just not used to getting my heels down that far, haha. But I need some ideas for stuff to do at home so that I don't end up crippled half way through the week-- stretches, etc?

Answer 1

Another good way to do the same thing and it can be controlled a little more, stand next to a wall, put your flat hands on the wall, your feet flat on the floor and begin to walk backward...when you get to the point where you know that it is going to hurt pretty bad, just bounce lightly until you can get your heel all the way down, then go back to the other foot...just another way to accomplish the same thing.  You don't have any rubs around your ankles do you, like skin rubs?  If so, bandage up the area, even a couple of bandaids will help, and spray a little alcohol on your boot at the ankle right where it is hurting, and then get on the stairs and get your heels down.  It will stretch your boots just enough to give you some relief...wear them until they dry, with alcohol, that isn't that long.

Answer 2

It's definitely the fact that you're getting your heels down.  You're stretching the muscles, so it's painful.

To stretch them out at home, put the balls of your feet (right behind your toes) on the edge of a stair and let your heels sink down.  Hold on to a railing, of course, but this mimicks the position your legs are in when you're riding.

Answer 3

Your useing your mussles now... you will get use to it... it will go away.... its just making you a stonger rider

Answer 4

It sounds like your feet just aren't used to being stretched like that. I would recommend trying to try walking on your heels for a few minutes every once in a while. Put your toes as high as they go

Answer 5

Look up some stretches on line or just bend down & touch your toes a couple times to streches the back of your legs out before & after you ride