Hi Candi, that's interesting. Well, I think ether you cannot keep your toes "in" towards the horse's body because you cannot concentrate on that and at the same time on your horse and what you intent to do with him, or your tendines and ligaments are shortened and it is very exhausting for you to keep the food turned to the inside. In that case I would recomend sports and stretching to smoothen your legs and train your muscles. I am very bad with my left leg, the muscle just on the backside up at the hip which lifts up the leg must often be trained. If not, I am left 75% and right 100% when giving cues for example turning on the forehand. Good luck, VioBerlin

Hi Candi and Vio;
Here I'd like to recomment one of my favorite books, Sally Swift's "Centered Riding", based on the Alexander Technique of physiotherapy. She will show you how to open your hips and to find a natural position when riding. I'm sure you'll find your best position following the suggestive advises in her very entertaining book.
Give it a try,
Miriam

Hi Candi,
May I ask you, are you riding English or Western?
If English could you ride using a dressage saddle with the knee pads placed just right for you?
If Western you could have stirrups with covers, that helps.
Perhaps you were a dancer?
I had the same problem because of that. It can be corrected by the above remedies and exercises you can do.
One is: Stand with your knees slightly bent and bowed as if you are on the back of the horse, keep your toes tucked inward.
Hold this for some time until your body gets use to the feel.
Try this, it worked for me. My father always said, "You can tell a dancer a mile away by their walk", I guess you could say the same thing about a cowboy.
Hoping you the best,
Ronda

Hey, Thanks to everyone :) I ride English with a dressage saddle. Won't have it in any other way. I will give everything a shot.

Hi Candi,

Are you up for more suggestions? ;)
.
When you say "keep my toes in", do you mean pointing straight forward or that you look like Charlie Chaplin? (Toes should be positioned somewhere around "5 past 11" on a clock.)
.
The most common cause for "Chaplin-feet" is that the rider is "gripping" the horse the wrong way with her legs.
Try some of the exercises in another thread here about "gymnastics" on horseback. They will help loosen up your hips and thighs. Or just ride without stirrups to get your legs long and relaxed.
Be mindful of your leg aid that you think "squeeze with the inside of the calf/ankle" rather than your heels.
.
There are wedge shaped rubber-plates that you can push into the bottom of your stirrup that also help to position your foot.
.
If you aren't helped by any exercises, maybe the saddle doesn't fit your body (too wide for instance)and need to be checked.

My riding instructor used to tell me that. I've found that my feet are fine in a stock saddle and some english ones, it was just my instructors saddle. surely it doesnt really matter as long as you are comfortable?

caiti.jane wrote:"surely it doesnt really matter as long as you are comfortable?"
.
Oh, but it does.
Not if it's a minor "fault", of course, but if your feet twists out (or in, for that matter) too much, your knees and/or hips are not being where they should be either. (Too open, or pinching.) Which in turn gives you bad balance, bad position in the saddle, and difficulties to give your aids correctly and in a way your horse can understand.
.
If it is really bad, you can also catch your toes on protruding objects like trees, or the fence poles around the arena, or even the wall of an indoor arena, and sprain your ankle - or even get knocked off.
.
Anatomy and the shape of the saddle always plays an important part, but the rider being comfortable isn't really the issue. (Although certainly a goal!)
It's more about finding a position where the least wear and tear occurs on your body as well as the horse's, and create the best possibilities for you to communicate with your horse through your body.
.
All that said; if you are sitting comfortably, and your horse is performing comfortable underneath you, then the problem isn't really a problem. :)

ohhh. That makes sense!

Candi
Don't concentrate on your toes and control your feet from your heels, not your toes. Heels slightly down and pointing straight back. When you lower your heels, it places you deeper in the saddle and increases the pressure from your thighs. When dropping your heels make sure that you drop then straight down buy extending the calf muscles. Some people drop their heels by pushing slightly forward which then throughs their balance off. You heels should be in line with your shoulders so if you were to draw a vertical line from the center of your shoulder it would touch the back of your heel. Working with your heels is also easier to master.

Cheers

I had the exact same problem. What I do is I voluntarily make an effort to try to keep my toes in by making sure that my heels are pointed down at all times. I also ask my instructor if my toes are in the right position You will feel sore after doing this, but it just takes some practice.

One more thing, I am week on my left foot since the stirrup tends to slip out easily, so I have to point my heels down harder.

Miriam, My sister is a trained college professor in acting and movement. She continued her education and became a voice and dialect coach. She has been Russel Crows dialect coach for 14 of his films. She taught Alexander as a college proffesor and used it on all of the family to help with posture and relaxation. My daughter was 18 months old and she still puts herself to sleep at 26 the way Judi tauaght her. I love the book.

Could someone please tell me if the FreeMax Treeless Saddles are any good... I have posted help questions all over the show.. but being in a panic I think I must have pushed wrong buttons.

I have to purchase a saddle within the next week, and the adverts look great for these saddles.. Anyone who can answer with knowledge would be appreciated.... ASAP Please???????

mssmith,
Isn't that amazing!
There are visions in Sally Swift's book, that will remain with you forever.
Not only riders can benefit from her adaption of the Alexander-technique.
Miriam

Dakota.jack,
Maybe the reason you are not getting the response you need right now is because none of us have used these particular saddles.
Miriam has given you some sound advice for being patient, the new videos will help you in your decision.
If you are desperate, do some research on the internet.
Companies always have references, if they are sound and solid companies.
Sorry you're not getting what you need right now.

Miriam HELP,

I looked on www.bol.com to see if I could find a book from Sally Swift, but they have 4 books.
Can you please tell me wich one I can start with? Do you have an ISBN number for me, please?
There is centered riding from 2006 and from 19?? and also centered riding no2.
.
For all of us.
I found an interesting website about the Alexander technique: http://alexandertechnique.com/resources/
.
Thank you for helping me,
May.

Hi Candi,
When i ride my toes stick out as well-
have you ever heard anyone telling you to imagine a string pulling up through the top of your head when your are riding so that you sit up taller and open up your spine - try to imagine the same thing but that your toes are tied together under your horses girth :) i would also recomend sally swifts 'centred riding'
hope that helps :)
EquineLover