How do i post in english riding using only one leg?

Question

i've been riding for almost three years but had to take a 6 month break to move and find a new stable.anc the only way i can start to canter and jump again is if i can post with one leg, the thing is though i can do it with my right foot in the stirrup and the left leg out. but not the other way around.( im right handed) does anyone have any tips for me?!

Answer 1

Take your stirrups off for a while. Sounds crazy but it works. When I was learning forward seat I rode for 3 months of lessons with no stirrups. It will strengthen the correct muscles since you post from your knees anyway, not your feet.

Answer 2

Just think of it as hopping on one leg.... i have to do this all the time....... let the horse do all of the work you jusat kinda go with the motion

Answer 3

Practice posting without stirrups.  If you can get good at that, you should be able to post with one foot in and one foot out.  Just keep the leg that's out of the stirrup in the right place.

Answer 4

you can try and practice at home lik stand on one leg adn post lik your in the staddle i hope i helped

Answer 5

you could practice at homeby getting into riding position and lifting one leg up and practice posting with your one leg? hope I helped!!

Answer 6

Everyone who said to do no-stirrup work is right! After not being able to ride for a while because of an injury, I hadn't realized how much muscle I'd lost from not riding. I found it very hard to post without stirrups at first (and there were lots of nights where I was sooooo sore from riding without them), but eventually I got those muscles built up and it's easy again.

Your instructors will be impressed once you show them you can ride without stirrups, as opposed to riding with just one! (I think even using one is cheating, lol).

This also helps a lot with your balance and keeping your leg still and soft.

Answer 7

You should be using your thigh muscles to raise you out of your saddle while posting.  Practice posting with no stirrups. I used to show with a lady who only had one leg, you could have never guessed...the only difference was that she kept the artificial leg out of the stirrup in case there was a hang up/accident.

Answer 8

this means that you  need to build leg strength in this leg to build leg strength post with no sturrups for a really long time then when you only have one try to barly put any wight in the foot that has the sturrup and it will feel like you have no sturrups but you should be use to it.

Answer 9

Even though everyone has already said it, I am going to say it again...post without stirrups. It will help not only with posting but with every other gait too. As well as jumping.

Good Luck!

Answer 10

this might sound daft but why can't you post with both feet in the stirrups?

Also the cantering shouldn't require you to post,as you stay in the saddle and absorb the movement.

Otherwise if it's just a strength thing then go to the gym and build up the muscles - you could also practice posting on an exercise bike as this gives a similar position without the movement.

Answer 11

You could practice on your bike? I always post over bumps and stuff when I'm riding home from my lessons. So you try posting with the leg your having trouble with on your bike, and see if that helps?

Anyother good idea is to build alot of strength in your legs. Try posting without any stirrups, and it build alot of muscle. (like the 2nd and 3rd person said)

Good luck!