Hi Rachel,
Often when I am riding, especially lessons, I develop a very sore right ankle. This includes pins and needles and my ankle begins to flex in a way that is quite sore! I am a fairly novice rider - just returning to dressage after a few years off and don't have a particularly stable position. I think that I carry my weight more in my right seat bone than the left and don't have a very stable lower leg position. Have you come across riders getting sore ankles like this? Are there any exercises or schooling you can suggest to help with this. Ahh yes particularly sore in canter when I am concentrated on keeping my weight in my ankles.
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Kind regards
Kylie
Dear Kylie
Thank you for your query to Rachel Bird through our website. Currently Rachel is out of e.mail access so I have contacted her with your query and she has provided the following advice. As she said that this problem is not uncommon we would like to put it on our website under ‘Tips’ so other riders can benefit from this great question.
“The soreness that you are getting in your angle is not uncommon and is probably the result of the conscious effort of putting all your weight through your heel.
In dressage it is better to think of the weight dropping through the front of your thigh, and have the feeling of kneeling on the ground rather than forcing the heel down. Also make sure that your knee cap is facing straight ahead!
If you are worried about your weight being unevenly carried it is important to remember that your shoulders and hips should be parallel to the horses, it may help to get someone of the ground have a look at you while sitting on the horse.
In regard to exercises riding without stirrups is a goodie and also a little bit of rising to the trot without stirrups (this is painful so don’t be surprised). If you can get someone to lunge you on a quiet horse that would also be beneficial without stirrups.
Hope this is of assistance and good luck with the riding.”
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