Problems keeping my lower leg under control?

Question

I think most of this is a strength thing, I need to work harder and it will improve. However, I have run into a problem that I thought I solved a while back. My left foot and ankle will generally stay where I put it, but my right really, really wants to crank outward, pushing my heel into the horse. I ride hunter and dressage if that makes a difference. I used to notice it in my two point and basically I just held it straight, but now I'm riding a prix st george horse and every slight little thing that is off in my riding is pointed out.

I pointed it out to my trainer and she watched me, and she said I'm definitely doing something screwy with my foot. She asked me if I'd ever broken my ankle, which I have not, but I have sprained it five or six times. She said it may be a weakness there causing this.

Has anyone else had this problem? What can I do to counteract this?

? · Answer

Yeah I agree with the other answer. It's probably because you have injured something in your ankle so it doesn't bend right anymore.  I hurt my own ankle in the past and I still have issues with it. It doesn't bend like my other one does. You could try some sort of ankle brace to help hold in better position but you might have issues fitting it in your boot (I have a pair a boots with ankle of the right all stretched out from riding with a brace on after hurting my ankle). When I hurt my ankle really badly
 the doctor recommended physical therapy. It's expensive but it really does help. It helped me get back a lot of my range of motion in my ankle. You could try some therapy to help your ankle get back to bending the right way! I hope this helped!

zephania666 · Answer

Keeping your lower leg under control is not usually a strength thing, it's a position thing.

In your case, it sounds like a conformation issue - YOUR conformation.  You have an ankle that bends in a different way than it should.  Multiple sprains could be a symptom, not a cause, of this, IMO, but either way it is what it is.

You could try an ankle brace or stabilizer, like one of these: https://www.google.com/search?q=ankle+brace&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8#q=ankle+brace&tbm=shop

If these don't work, you could consult a sports doctor.

Miss Luke · Answer

It could also be a saddle issue.  Saddles sometimes develop subtle warps and twists, in part because of your and your horse's unique position and movement, and in part due to the way the leather breaks in and wears down over time.  Have the saddle checked out by a saddle maker -- ideally, one who can come out to see how it fits the horse.  It's possible that IT needs some minor adjustments.

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Problems keeping my lower leg under control?

3 Answers