Have you ever felt like your legs just won’t stay still while riding?
My advice? ride without stirrups. That is what I would tell my students. And that’s why I decided to give it a try. At least for one ride anyway. And when I mean 1 ride, I mean 10 minutes of one ride.
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It made me re-think my riding and what I expect from myself. I would not think twice about asking my students to ride without stirrups. So I thought I better give it a try myself. It’s been a while since I’ve taken my stirrups away.
At first, it felt like my legs were made of spaghetti 🍝, wobbling all over the place. My dependence on my “pedals” was very apparent. The saddle felt slippery and my legs and seat felt lost.
As I continued to ride, my core engaged and I felt myself click into alignment. Every muscle in my core and thighs questioned my current decision. “What are you doing? You’re too old for this.” But I stuck with it, working on flatwork, transitions, and even a couple of poles without those trusty stirrups to rely on.
By the end of the ride, I felt exhilarated. My lower leg was more stable than ever, my balance improved and I felt so much more connected to my horse. 🐴 It wasn’t easy, but it was SO worth it!
If you’re struggling with stability or want to feel more secure in the saddle, I highly recommend giving this a try—even if it’s just for a few minutes each ride. Your legs (and your confidence!) will thank you.
👇 Have you ever tried riding without stirrups? Share your experience in the comments—I’d love to hear how it went for you! 💬
