Riding style changes?

hi, after a 10year break from riding, I am just getting back into it... some things seemed to have changed, I was taught to grip with my knees, (which I was forever told off for, because I was rubbish at it) but now I am getting told off for it.. so why do we no longer grip with our knee%26#039;s? also footwear seems to have changed somewhat, it was always a flat smooth sole with a heel, I was a bit suprised when my o/h came in with a pair of jodphur boots resembling hiking boots??? ...any one enlighten me?

Riding style changes?
I think that it was the army with their %26#039;Pennies between the knee and saddle%26#039; that instigated that one


You might change the %26#039;heels down%26#039; phrase to %26#039;Allow your weight fall into your heels%26#039; I find that this was one that helped me when I started again in 1990. It takes your centre of gravity down a bit.


You will find that a lot of the teaching will have changed to 10 years ago, just make sure that the instructor you are using has the best ways of teaching. You might as well get it right from the start. BHS way isn%26#039;t always the best I have noticed.


Wear what you find comfortable for you and your leg shape. Long leather boots or Treadstep 1/2 chaps with a short boot and gaiters too have different widths for your calves and leg length. Rubber boots you will have noticed have slipped out of fashion thank goodness they were so sweaty.


When I am riding I have a gentle contact with my calves against his sides. Think of it being like a reassuring hand gently resting on your shoulder. It gives him and me security. When he does spook (He does a lot) it is the whole length of my leg that holds me on not by gripping with my knees. Hope you have a really good time catching up


Another tip when things are going wrong and you cant get your horse to do what you want him to, Just remember that it is not the horse that is getting it wrong. It%26#039;s you that needs to see where you can improve your riding so that he can understand what it is you are asking


*** Sorry for going on so much. The looking between the ears thing. I notice that even in illustrated books sometimes even the instructors are looking down when riding in the photos. Your head is very heavy and the horse can feel it if you are looking down. ie looking between his ears. The best place for your head is balanced on top of your spine with you looking ahead to where you are going. I hope I don%26#039;t sound as if I know a lot I don%26#039;t it%26#039;s just that I have been where you are now!!
Reply:HI there, you%26#039;re told not to grip with your knees now because you are supposed to keep your heels down which is better for your posture. However, I was told that when a horse bolts or bucks what do you do to stay on...grip with your knees! Therefore, I would suggest you try not to grip with your knees as it does not do your position any good unless you are going to fall off! As for the riding boots, I wear the traditional riding boots but many brands are introducing more robust boots suitable for yard work as well as riding, many of these also have steel capped toes! Hope this helps and enjoy riding again!
Reply:Yep,I know exactly what you mean!! As a child i was taught the same. Now I am a riding instructor have been for 20yrs and when i did my training i was told, i had been taught the old fashioned way.! As the person above me has said, the new way is the best way, though it did all change over 20 odd years ago, so not so new now and typing this I suddenly feel old! anyway relax and enjoy.
Reply:I, too, was never taught to grip with my knees, but I do know that there are those who teach and ride that way. So you were rubbish at it before...now you are off the hook! Yay!


The boot issue is wide open with a wide range of styles available. In the ring, traditional always looks best, in my opinion, but at home I wear an Ariat paddock type with a half chap or western %26quot;lacers%26quot;, which are very similar. I like tha support I get from this type of shoe. The hiker types feel too clunky to me and wound up in the back of the closet. They came into being pretty much through the %26quot;ride and tie%26quot; competitions where the rider gets off and runs, so needs a shoe that can do both. Many found this to be a comfy and practical thing, so the hiker type took off. But you will still be fine with your flat soled boots, you do not need to change them out any time soon, unless you want to.
Reply:I%26#039;m not really all that skilled on horses but I have riddin a few of my freinds and families. They all told me not to grip with my knees because it gives the horse a command. I found it easier to just get on the horse and not even put my feet in the stur-ups. I would suggest getting a horse that you can train the way you have known how to ride. That way there is no confusion between you the horse
Reply:You`ve probably got a better instructor. If you grip a thoroughbred withg your knees she will take it for an instruction and you won`t stop till you`re in the next County.


Boots are fashionable and a matter of fashion.


Flat are better in my opinion.
Reply:Hi, I know how you feel! It%26#039;s just that the thinking keeps developing as we learn more. We should all keep our minds open and get used to the fact that we never stop learning, and sometimes we find that the old ways can be improved on. I much prefer the way we learn now, it%26#039;s much more considerate of the horse, and more intelligent.
Reply:There are many different looks of riding boots now, but they all still need a hard toe and a heel. Could it be the person actually was riding in hiking boots? It%26#039;s not the safest thing to do, but people do it. I think I have seen a pair of riding boots advertised in catalogues that look like gym shoes, which I don%26#039;t get, because there%26#039;s no ankle support or anything, but I%26#039;ve never seen anyone actually ride in them.





As for gripping with your knees, I think that was just a case of your old instructor not knowing any better. In my 15 years of riding, that%26#039;s never been taught to me. Gripping with your knees causes a loose lower leg that you can%26#039;t use for support. Rather, your calf should be resting on the horse. Sometimes there%26#039;s daylight between my knee and the saddle.





Practice will develop your balance to the point that you don%26#039;t have to grip with anything at all... Even though my leg is in contact with the horse, it doesn%26#039;t apply pressure until I need it to. That%26#039;s your ultimate goal.
Reply:im going to give a quick answer - i havent read all that has already been said and i expect they%26#039;ve already told you everything you should know but ill just pick up on two points - looking through a pony%26#039;s ears is all very well until they are going in an outline and moving correctly - even before then quite often looking between the ears wiuld be encouraging you to look down which is why this is not a very commonly used term anymore. 2nd - gripping with your knees pushes your seat out of the saddle, thus weakening it and making you tip forwards into a vulnerable position. it also lifts your calves and lower legs off the horses sides which is what you are using to give signals so it is more than necessary for these to remain in contact at all time! good luck with your riding!!!! as an instructor of the new age i have to say the new ways seem to make sense!!!!!!!!



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