Kicking back, versus kicking straight out?

Question

HI there, so I have this really bad habit of kicking back when i pulse my horse at the different gaits. I have been riding for over a year, and I still do it ( my trainer gets on my case at every lesson) I feel bad cause i practice, but i just cant kick straight out. I am riding dressage, so it is very important.

Any ideas of making it easier to pulse straight out?

How can i practice this at home?

does anyone else have this habit?

It is really annoying me, and obviously my trainer ( she says i have been riding long enough that i shouldnt do that)

please help me!

Answer 1

Your legs should be quite and at the horses side.



But here are some tips.

When warming up drop your stirrups grab onto the pommel of the saddle and pull your knees up to your ears. Hold it for the count of 3 then gently let them go back. This will loosen up your hips and allow you to use your legs differently.

Swing your legs back and forth also loosening up your hips.



Try doing lots of standing in your stirrups, this will help you strength your legs.

It sounds like you have a weak lower leg and need to work on making it stronger.



And Amy Tryon's legs flop and pulse more then anything i have every seen so i think you got time. :)

Answer 2

Hey there..just trying to understand better..



Do you mean that when you are riding and say posting your legs kick out then as in can't keep you legs still? If so, could be your stirrups are too short? Or do your legs jiggle when keeping a deep seat in your saddle when doing a sitting trot?



Or, when kicking your horse, your leg goes out rather than back to his flank?



I'm not familiar with the term "pulsing"..Please post addt'l. info...if possible..



Is it what the second answerer said? I did notice ALOT of leg movement on quite a few of the Dressage riders in the Olympics...didn't look proper to me...is that what you are saying?



****EDIT****



Sure!! I'll be looking for it!!

Answer 3

If you mean kicking as in kicking to get your horse moving, I would suggest trying to squeeze and use your seat more than kicking.



I used to have this habit and i've found that doing lots of riding without your stirrups really helps because if you do massive kicks then you lose your balance, and it's easier to use you seat and lower leg.



This is what you want to acheive for dressage, anyway.



Good luck! :)

Answer 4

i don't ride dressage . in fact most of my life i have been riding western. but u only had to answers. and i hate when only like 2 people answers my quetion. bugs the crap out of me. all i no is to keep your legs long. knee's in. i just started riding hunter under saddle. and post to ur hands.

i no this isn't must help. but i thought i would give it a try.lol.

Answer 5

Elongate your leg, totally stretch it out, and make your heels down, very down. As long as you remember to make your heels extremely down, it is very very hard to kick back:)



I had a trainer who would tie rulers to your legs so they couldnt kick back-never did it too me but to the other kids she did lol

Dont know if it worked or not