Monday, June 11, 2012

Debbie Sams: Toes and Knees Turned Out

Part 8 in the “Deep Seat” series

Problem
Many people naturally toe out when they walk. Therefore, it is only natural for them to turn their toes out when riding (Illus. 24); it feels more comfortable that way. A little bit of toeing out is acceptable and even desired. There are several problems with extreme toeing out, though.
Illus. 24
Problem: Knees and toes out

  1. The extreme toe-and-knee-out position causes seat tension.
  2. Toes that point out too much are more likely to get caught on trees and other objects.
  3. When the rider is riding with toes and knees out, her thighs are resting on the flabby back side of the leg, giving the rider less security.
There are circumstances that warrant turning the toe out to a degree, such as in hunter-jumper and cross-country riding, where the stirrup must be short. A person’s natural conformation will often make some toeing out necessary. Even in these cases, though, the inner thigh and knee must be flat against the horse’s side.
Solution 
Roll thighs — Roll your thighs (Illus. 25), one at a time, and move them back beyond normal position (Illus. 26).
Illus. 25
Solution: Roll thighs

Illus. 26
Solution: Move behind normal position, then slide forward

Then rest your thigh on the horse’s side, and pull the flabby portion of the thigh behind your leg (Illus. 27). After that, slide the leg forward into normal position with a very deep knee. Next, tuck your seat deep into the saddle using the exercise seen in Illus. 10 (below). Even those who appear to have no flab at all do have some muscle and padding on the back of the leg. This exercise is for everyone. If you experience cramping, stop immediately, and relax before continuing. This exercise will provide you with a very connected leg and seat.


Illus. 27
Solution: Move flab/muscle behind leg



Illus. 10
Solution: Tuck Seat


Tension vs. relaxation — This ground exercise will help you see what happens to your body when you turn your toes out.
The Drum
(Illus. 28 and 29)
The Drum Exercises
Illus. 29
Toes out = seat tension
Illus. 28
Toes straight = relaxed seat

  1. Stand with toes pointing straight ahead and feet apart as in riding position.
  2. Pull the belly button in slightly.
  3. Lower the tailbone a bit.
  4. Making the hands into a fist, swing your arms loosely side to side, allowing them to hit your body.
  5. Now try it with the toes out, and note the tightness in your seat (Illus. 28). This is why it is so important to have the flat side of the thighs on the horse and the toes almost straight ahead, especially in dressage and Western riding, where you need a deep flexible seat to truly move with the horse.

Read Part 1 (Sticking to Your Horse with a Deep Seat) in the "Deep Seat" series
Read Part 2 (Deep Seat versus Light Seat) in the "Deep Seat" series
Read Part 3 (Deep Seat Problem and Solution) in the "Deep Seat" series
Read Part 4 (Arched Back — Problems and Solutions) in the "Deep Seat" series
Read Part 5 (Torso Leaning Forward — Collapsed Chest) in the "Deep Seat" series
Read Part 6 (Rounded Shoulders, Collapsed Chest) in the "Deep Seat" series
Read Part 7 (Knees and Heels Creeping Up) in the "Deep Seat" series

Debbie Sams teaches English and Western riding with an emphasis on dressage. At her Springer's Stables in Broadalbin, New York, she also teaches drill team and vaulting. Her farm gives pony parties and holds horse camps for scouts and local community college and elementary school youth programs, as well as for the Sacandaga Bible Conference and Retreat Center. Debbie has been teaching drama and drill team on horseback since 1979; in 1985 she became a Certified Horsemanship Association Instructor. She is the author of 101 Drill Team Exercises and has also put her horse knowledge to work in writing for such publications as Practical Horseman, Equus, and the Northeast Horseman’s Journal.

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