Dressage Rider Leg Position - Keep your Heels Down and Toes Forward

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Hope this video helps you! I'm doing a FREE webinar this Sunday on the Dressage Training Scale. Click the link below to join. www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/trainingscalewebinar

[@Kelly_Ben]

THANK YOU! You're the first instructor I've ever heard acknowledge that some riders have actual physical difficulty getting their heels down. After years of have HEELS DOWN screamed at me, I discovered through PT that I have abnormally short Achilles. Yoga and riding in this position has definitely helped, but I'll never be able to have a classical low heel. Thanks for another great video!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Wow!! Glad you figured that out!!

[@murphysirishimports]

i also have a short achilles on both sides! i was born with it. they want me to do a lengthening surgery but i just don’t want to be out of commission that long.

[@marystrong1341]

I’ve been struggling with getting the right seat and heels down. After watching this I was able to realize what all my problems were. Thank you!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Amazing!

[@catchinghorses]

Best advice I’ve ever seen on this topic.

[@delalangosta]

Great practical advice, thank you! I took ballet as a kid and the instructor always told us to point our toes out. I couldn't do it and ended up rolling my foot to the inside. I realized years later, thanks to anatomy classes, that you have to turn out or turn in from the hip. The ankle and knee are hinge joints. So to get any rotation of the limb, you need to turn from the hip, which is a ball-and-socket! 💡

[@elizabethpasquinelli156]

So timely! Just when I am starting to think I am the only one with my leg position difficulties, lo and behold I learn I am NOT unique. Thank you! Looking forward to incorporating these tips into my every day routine.

[@seaside1457]

Amelia you are truly the best! There is not one problem I had with horse back riding that couldn’t be solved on this channel. Thanks so much!

[@gingercowan4690]

These are great videos and instructions! I so appreciate you. I'm 53 and rode many years up to mid 20's and then basically stopped until 2 years ago, I even went to college for equine degree and then changed to medical career. Anyway, I've had a lot of instructors in life and friends and people always say heels down but so many don't point out the toe needs to be actually forward in order to be up. I remember instructors grabbing my ankle and cranking my foot into position but for so long never understood my toe needed to be forward, NOT down and outward. Physiologically toe position affects your whole leg position as you've said. This "small thing" is huge for the rider! You're so helpful for many, no doubt! I appreciate you!

[@sieable]

Very helpful, especially the tips on rotating the hip in. Thanks.

[@LMiya-to1mu]

Really good tips. You break it down in simple terms. I wish you were in the GTA (greater Toronto area).

[@debistevens3238]

You must be watching me ride again. Keeping my legs long and toes forward plagues me all the time. These tips are excellent.

[@terryluzader5852]

So helpful, thank you so much.

[@brassringbarbara]

Thank you. I am so pleased you could demonstrate stirrup length & shoulder leg ankle heel toes positions so clearly. Senior g'ma trying to get on the horse again after 20 year leave. Thank you.

[@beateindahl8100]

Thank you for this great video, I think about this everytime I ride, correct leg position and my rider position 🐴😊

[@EricaFrouman-Smith]

Found your comments helpful, especially offering different exercises to help in correcting one's leg position, which can't be worked on enough.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Glad it was helpful!

[@sherribennett1370]

Amelia you are an excellent instructor and your love for what you do is evident. I just wanted to take a moment to encourage you today to continue with what you’ve started with these videos. They are incredibly helpful as your insight into why riders may have areas of weakness or deficits allow you to guide us into more correct-and comfortable- riding. The quality of the video and sound are excellent as well. Keep it up!!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Wow, thank you! I really appreciate your encouragement!!

[@rachellocktovambrose3880]

Super helpful - thank you! I actually had an "A-ha" moment after watching several of your other videos. My mare thanks you as well!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

So happy to hear this!

[@chimbapa13]

Thanks, I'm definetely using this tips on myself, and once my job opens back up when I help train newer riders.

[@fitzpat3]

Thanks for making this video! I’m going to be paying attention to how I walk/run/exercise off horse today. Hip explanation helps a lot too

[@louisemccarthy9270]

Thanks Amelia. Great explanation & visuals.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thanks for watching Louise, and don’t forget to subscribe to get notified of my new weekly content! ///// I'm hosting a FREE webinar on contact and connection that will really help you level up your performance and connection with your horse! You can sign up here! www.amelianewcombdressage.com/free-webinar-contact-and-connection I'm not sure if you know this but, I've been lucky enough to qualify BOTH of my horses (Harvey and Kensington) to compete in the Dressage Festival of Champions in Chicago, if you are willing and able, even the tiniest donation to my GoFundMe would make a massive difference. You can read more and, (but only if you'd like to and have the capacity!) donate below! gofund.me/2989323b Finally, if you love my content, I’d LOVE it if you left me a review on google! g.page/r/CYIGmCINXFOQEAo/review Thanks so much for being on my page! I appreciate it so much! 😀

[@liz9900]

I appreciate your videos. As a young rider starting to give lessons to beginner and intermediate students, these videos help me to get an idea on how to explain it! Thank you.

[@natashayorath2782]

This is amazingly helpful. My toes always turn out and I’m constantly trying to turn them back in. Thank you 😊🙏

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

I’m so glad it’s helpful!!

[@elizabethinnes9404]

I really like this horse - of all the horses you ride in your videos he is my fav. He looks like such a happy camper. Is he yours?

[@renagustafsson7769]

I've been having trouble with my heels down and feet turned out for a while now. Your video helped me realize that my calves have become super tight from standing and Zooming with my 3rd graders for the last covid year. Ouch! So, I've started putting a pillow under my feet to stretch my calves while teaching and I'm sneaking in some stretches since the kids only see my upper body. :) I will for sure keep your other points in mind. I was also going to recruit my boyfriend to watch my heels while I ride and scream "Heels down! Toes forward!". Seems like a job he could do. :) Thanks again. I'm going to watch the Stephan Peters videos too. I didn't know he was from the states. Thought he was European.

[@veroniqueviaudFaspasie_1957]

How useful a boyfriend can be sometimes! 😁👍🏻😅😅

[@sophie092249]

You are so right checking how one walks around on a day-to-day basis if your toes are out on your horse. Now paying attention to it, I notice that I tend to walk on the outside of my foot. (And, no s hock, that's how I tend to put my foot in the stirrup also - not exactly toe out but not quite right either.) I'm working on changing that when I walk without my horse and also on my horse

[@suzannahkolbeck6973]

I am a yoga instructor, and when I am teaching people to ground down into their sitting bones when we begin class, the instruction is to "shift your gift" - to move the flesh away from the sitting bones and rotate hip bones in, back, and wide. Definitely challenging on a moving horse.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Nice imagery!! Thanks for sharing!

[@muhammadmunzir3856]

Love it Coach

[@spiridoulaathanasopoulou9244]

You deserve much more than 100.000 subscribers. ❤❤❤

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

[@laurieannburdock98]

Great tips thank you.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

YOu're welcome LAurie Ann!

[@louinwy1]

Yes I thought your video was very helpful. But I have trouble with distinguishing between when someone is kicking the horse or just absorbing the movement. I’d love to see a video where the rider tells me which is happening when.

[@kathleent.6064]

As always, a very helpful video-Thank you so much! Especially appreciated the tip about readjusting the entire hip to correct toe alignment! Bought a young horse from Joseph recently and your videos are so helpful! Very grateful! Missed the live version of your Sunday presentation today but hope to see some info soon regarding how to watch the recording 🙂

[@harizzaine7194]

What is difference between half seat and two point...can u explain on that

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

I'm not a jumper rider, but generally they are used interchanged, or one to refer to a light seat where you're still in the saddle, and another when you're out of the saddle.

[@claireryan7553]

Super helpful! Thank you!

[@bronwynwood1544]

Once again a fantastic and very well explained video. Thank you Amelia, I have struggled with out-turned toes and legs from past ballet but the simple tools on how to achieve toes forward was great.

[@kimberleebachand786]

Thank you, very helpful!

[@stefanievandermoere4074]

I will try it tomorow, very good explained 👍

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Awesome! Good luck!

[@helenfox3415]

Very good video & advice on leg position.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Glad you liked it!

[@aecelia]

amazing ill try it .

[@maribelmodrono4531]

Being a professional ballet dancer I have many challenges sitting on the horse without turning my thighs and legs out. Thank you for your helpful advice, I look forward to trying it out!

[@horsecrazybean]

Yes. Helpful!

[@helen-akaprincesspeachesme6578]

Another fabulous and helpful video Amelia thank you - this is something i really struggle with. Do you have any tip on exercises to maybe help with a little more low leg stability? Xx

[@jessicapang7000]

Thank you so much Amelia! Another great video with great advice on leg and heel position. In my riding class, I have always struggled with getting the right heel position on the stirrup. Will certainly keep this mind. I wish I can take lessons from you in person 😊

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

That is so kind! Consider joining 'Strides With Amelia', it's like having a clinic with me each month and I review your riding video and give feedback!

[@karenharvey112]

Hey Amelia fabulous video thank you! I have a problem with the ball of my foot burning in the boot and my toes start to feel a little numb... I ride in 2 point a bit as I’m a hunter... but I have noticed it while training in dressage... any ideas please???

[@rosalindpaterson2043]

Excellent Topics explicitly shared; thank you greatly. Astute technique easily applied to develop and maintain connection and collection.

[@alysontoombs6025]

Great video. Really helpful. Thank you!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

I am glad you liked it!

[@barbstrona1]

I’ve been turning my thighs in at the gym when I’m doing crunches. I also practice shifting my weight between cheeks. Just a few times each trip to the gym. If I didn’t think about riding, I’d never go to the gym!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Yes! Good for you!!

[@deborahstuck]

Perfect My right leg is the problem!

[@33CHRISTINA33]

This was very helpful Amelia, thank you!

[@afyanamoyo]

Thank you!

[@katealcaraz2218]

Thanks for this!

[@tinafreudenberger5042]

Great video!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jacquelinedravetz3490]

Very helpful Amelia as always 👏!

[@phoebesumalbag4407]

I gotta some questions here, when you feel your weight is getting down is it more advisable to rely on the halter neck or on the stirrup would be so cool.

[@Julia-ju2kn]

Beautiful mirrors; could you make a session on good mirrors and how to use them to self-correct one’s position most efficiently?

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

that's a good idea! I'll put it in the bank of ideas :)

[@michelleford7392]

Another great video! Thanks!!

[@TheQueenAndTheKing]

I always loose my stirrup when asking for canter 😭. The horses don't listen to me (they do to others so it's definitely my fault) directly, which means it'll take longer and then I loose it. This has been going on for months and I don't know why my body just won't listen to me. The muscle memory is strong in this one

[@falizianme5846]

Awesome thanks! 🙃🦄❤

[@kirstyej1]

As always your video was super helpful! You touched briefly on the importance of keeping the stirrup tread perpendicular to the direction of your foot, I try and achieve this but I’m having difficulty keeping it there and it seems to want to rotate and go on a slight angle! Any tips for this? X

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Try to keep more pressure in the ball of your foot and more awareness of where your foot is in the stirrup

[@sarahsilvere]

Thank you Amelia for this great video and these explanations!!!! Definitely will put these tips into practice. Even though I think a correct posture comes from a lot of work, consistency and awareness, do you think the saddle has an impact on the leg position and especially for women riders?

[@billybelli2078]

I have difficulty pointing my toes fwd. The tip u gave about rotating the thigh is really helpful, but after 5 min of walk/trot I lose it again, cud u give some advice on how to KEEP the toes pointing forward please. I just can't keep them for more than 3mins and I don't know which part goes wrong 🥺

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Just keep working on it. Eventually muscle memory will kick in!

[@billybelli2078]

@@AmeliaNewcombDressage thank you for your reply :D I was worrying my awkward toe position might be due to other body position being not in the right place 😣 I'll definitely keep practicing and do more stretching!

[@2002Bowie]

Thank you for this helpful video. I rode hunter/jumpers as a junior (50 years ago) and am now riding western (reining). The transition for muscle memory is difficult. I'm having trouble getting my heels down and rotating my thigh in WITHOUT my knees blocking the shoulder. Is there a video that addresses this issue?

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

My Rider Position Masterclass is coming. It is full of great information! Try to think of not forcing your heels down as you did as a jumper rider, just think slightly lower than toe and see if that allows your knee to be softer.

[@magstergirl]

I'm not sure toes in is such a good position although I know it's required in dressage. I wonder if there is any benefit besides the aesthetic of the toes forward position?

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

It can help engage your upper leg better!

[@Yeehaw190]

Does anyone recommend any at-home exercises to get my toes in? I have a really hard time keeping the correct position and my ankles start to give out, making it hard to post.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Check out my rider fitness mini course PDF for exercises to do out of the saddle! amelianewcombdressage.com/free-resources/

[@mmcavoy100]

Thank you for this video. Coming from decades of hunter riding, and doing my best to transition to dressage, one thing I see in dressage riders, both amateurs and pros, is a tendency to ride with the toe in the stirrup and the heel up with a lot of reliance on the spur. It's confusing to me because you are showing that correct dressage position is heels down with leg close to girth, as with hunters (but with longer stirrup). But I see so much of the opposite with really loose legs. What are your thoughts? Thank you! :)

[@KimH11]

Often times I think about my toes up and that puts the heel down automatically. It’s easier for young or new riders

[@lynnes11]

Once you rotate your thighs, how do you stay like that? I've been grabbing the back of my leg and trying to rotate my leg but once around the arena and it's out of place again. Any tips for how to keep rotated from the hip to keep toes forward, other than keeping your leg long? Thank you!

[@louinwy1]

Think about doing “ the snowplow “ while on skis, where you point the tips of the skis together.

[@alisonjetmar7437]

Great advice & demo. The visual would be helped greatly if you wore lighter colors. Thank you.

[@colinlawrence7284]

Heels down is such a misunderstood and misinterpreted saying. So many people brace/push down from the knee into the stirrup which puts the rider in such a bad position and blocks the rider movement.

[@LeslieFelsen]

Very helpful! Thank you!