Riding without stirrups

Take away your stirrups when you’re training and you’ll revolutionise the way you ride. Russell Guire from Centaur Biomechanics shows you how to achieve great results

Instantly improve your seat

LIKE MOST RIDERS, does your heart sink at the prospect of riding without your stirrups? But there are so many reasons why you should give it a go. By improving your balance and position, you’ll become a more effective rider — and a rider who stands a better chance of staying in the saddle when the unexpected happens. “Riding without stirrups is the most underused exercise in rider training,” explains Russell, “yet it should be part of your daily riding routine.” Daily life has an impact on the way you sit on your horse. All day spent sitting at a desk working at a computer, for example, results in poor posture that transfers to your position in the saddle. Deskwork results in tight hip flexor muscles, among other areas, which means your legs will have a tendency to draw up. This is where riding without stirrups will really help you, as it’ll loosen up your hips and encourage a better leg position. Other benefits of riding without stirrups are that it: Highlights areas of weakness Improves your seat Enhances your feel Aids awareness of your position Lengthens your thigh Loosens and relaxes your knees Helps your balance

No pain — no gain

It may sound simple to ride without stirrups, but it’s trickier than you might think. You’ll discover muscles you’ve not used in a while, so be prepared to ache a little to begin with. But don’t let that put you off. Get into the habit of working without stirrups each time you ride and you’ll soon see a positive effect on your position, feel and balance. “Remember to build up gradually and to constantly check that your position is correct, so you’re maintaining the ear, shoulder, hip and heel line with your pelvis in a neutral position,” advises Russell. Use a neck strap to begin with. If you feel yourself losing balance, slip your fingers into it so that you’re not relying on your reins to balance. Cross your stirrups over the withers in front of your saddle so they’re safely out of the way.

You’ll discover muscles you’ve not used in a while, so be prepared to ache a little to begin with