Stirrups sliding back.?

Question

I have THE worst problem with my stirrups sliding back. No matter how hard I try, I cannot keep my stirrups at the ball of my feet (by the little patterned stripe on most boots). They slid back towards my heel, and even though I'm constantly trying to keep them forward, it doesn't work.

Any ideas on what to do??

Answer 1

If you keep your heels down it is nearly impossible for your stirrups to slip back.

What might be happening is that you are tensing up and lifting your feet allowing the stirrups to slip back.

Keep your stirrups at the correct length (without a foot in the stirrups they should hang about level with your ankle), keep your leg long and still and keep your heels down!!

Practice makes perfect...good luck!

Answer 2

practice with no stirrups or pratice tacking you feet in and out this will  help you to ride the horse and not the saddle or the stirrups

Answer 3

Two Point position work...at the walk,trot, canter, with stirrups without stirrups.  Two Point, Two Point..(half seat) where you have to keep your pressure in the stirrup and inner thigh and knees.  When coming out of the two point position sit very gently back in the saddle and do not move your legs..you should then have the proper seat and leg position and concentrate on keeping it there.  Use the inner thigh pressure to post from..not your feet.

Also, your big toe(below the toe by that protrusion on the side!!) should be resting against or into the inside of the stirrup..this support will apply pressure on the balls of you feet into the stirrups and keep your knees and thighs in contact with the horse..

Also, check your stirrup pads..are they worn out?  They have many new atyles..that will not be slippery like the cheese grater type or sandpaper or ridges and dimples.  Also, if your shoes have a leather sole..they can become slippery..you can rough them up with some sandpaper to get some grip back.

Also, stretching your calf and ankle muscles to strengthen will help with flexibility.

Practice, practice, practice!!

Answer 4

Toes up, heels down, a little more pressers on the strips, or a little shorter on the straps

Answer 5

Heels back.  Toes up.  Works every time.  Maybe, too, the stirrups are just a tad too. Try making them one or two knots shorter.

Answer 6

get better boots and new stirrups

Answer 7

Constantly concentrate on keeping your heel down. Trying to keep the stirrup forward will mess with your leg. Just think about stretching down through your leg and into your heel. Hope this helps!

Answer 8

I have the same problem. Like the other people have said before me is heels down. It works, trust me. I was having trouble posting and when my heels went down I could post and I stayed balanced for a long time. Also try to remember to keep your shoulder in line with your heels so keep your heels down and keep your stirrups in line. Perhaps try working on riding without any stirrups. Like a lunge lesson have someone have you on a lunge line, practice your sitting trot (which will help in lots of things) and practice posting up and down without stirrups (it is a challenge.) It will help you with balancing and will improve your overall riding skills. Or just practice riding without stirrups, heels down walk, trot, and canter. It will help you become a better rider. Good luck!

Answer 9

Just keep working on getting your heels down. Maybe even getting a taller heel on your  riding boots. I wear a 3'' heel on my riding boots, but I'm an ol' bronc stomper.

Answer 10

First check the bottom of your boot, it might not have any grip strength at all. Maybe you should consider buying new ones. Also I never had this problem but a new rider at my stable did, she finally got it after a while. Keep working at it and keep your heels down.

Answer 11

keep those HEELs down! and toes up!

Answer 12

It is probably because since your irons are going back, you want to put your toe down to move them forwards, but instead you need to keep your heels lowered all the time to keep them from sliding back in the first place.

To make your foundation better, try riding without stirrups for at least ten minutes every ride so your leg position improves, and it will be easier to keep your heels down when your leg position is good.

Answer 13

are they 2 long?  try shortening them a bit, the more pressure on the stirrups the less they slide.

Answer 14

Alas the best solution is most likely to do a good bit of riding with no stirrups.

You are probably relying on the stirrups too much when you are riding, and need to use more leg muscle.

You can also practice doing a two point at that trot for several laps each time you ride. This will help to steady up your leg.

Answer 15

You are probably going to report me for this one, but the best solution  is NO STIRRUP WORK. Omg I hate it, but it has helped me tremendously. I've been told by my trainer, Meredith Taylor and my previous dressage trainer, Jamie Pantel, that the reason why you're having trouble keeping your stirrup irons in the right position is b/c of the way you are balancing yourself. Hopefully this solution will help you improve the same way it has helped me improve in my riding.