Lower leg stability is important for protecting both you and your horse. Your lower leg absorbs the shock of your horse’s movements – but only if it’s in the right place. When your leg swings out of position, it’s easy to fall back hard on the saddle or lose your seat altogether.
The most stable position for the leg is one that keeps the inner thigh, knee and lower leg in close contact with the saddle. This is largely dependent on how we use the muscles of our hips, particularly the adductors. These are the muscles of our inner thighs, which control how much contact we have between the saddle and our knees. If your adductors are weak, your knee will float away from the saddle, making you less stable. Conversely, too much pinching with your knees can also make you less stable by pushing your seat out of the saddle and reducing the contact of your calf.
These problems can be improved by becoming more aware and in control of your adductor muscles. The following exercises can be used by riders of any age, experience, or skill level to improve their leg stability and enhance their ride.