Strengthen calf muscles for horse riding?

Question

i have been riding for most of my life and so can and know how to ride. unfortunately due to circumstances i have not been riding for a while, and now when i do have the opportunity to ride i am finding that i do not have a lot of strength when using my legs to send the horse forward.

any suggestions to strengthen my calf muscles in a way that will benefit riding?

Answer 1

Stand on the edge of a step with your heel hanging off. Then slowly (that part is important) let your heel go all the way as far as it can and slowly go up as high as you can and keep doing that until they burn like no other. That will help with the "riding" muscles.

Answer 2

When most people think of calf muscles they think of the back. However you need the side muscle. I suggest riding with out stirrups for at least ten minutes a day. If you do decide to do this DO NOT pinch with your knees, instead grip with your calves. This will stretch out your hip flexors, and also will build up calf muscles where you need them. If you do pinch with your knees you will be working your thigh muscle. So if your thighs are sore you know you are doing them wrong. I also suggest squats, or walk around on your tippy toes a lot. Its going to take a while to get your leg back though, I went through the same thing.

Answer 3

Do the step flexing, but also since you are squeezing together, get like those leg circle things used in pilates or whatever and use them at your ankles and not your thighs. that should help.