Hi! So I was wondering if any other rider has duck feet (Born with feet pointing outwards instead of pointing straight) and know how to solve my problem. So a bit of backstory before I tell you my problem. I have been working on my trot for about 5 years maybe even more and can’t seem to start cantering or jumping. The discipline that I am working on is show jumping. I go to a barn called Hunters Grove and I ride on their lessons ponies/horses. I also wear paddock riding boots while riding and do not own any tall boots. So now here is the story to my problem. Just a few days ago I was post and trotting along the fence and then I decided to take a little break but then my heels accidentally was squeezing the pony and it thought I wanted it to go faster and I couldn’t make the pony stop or make my feet go straight. When it finally stopped my trainer came over and told me what I was doing wrong but when she tried to make my feet go straight it hurt a lot. So my problem is that I can’t control my feet in the saddle. If anyone has any suggestions for me to try please tell me.
Riding with duck feet/Femoral Retroversion
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Hello from another duck footed rider! I have slight external rotation of both legs but more on my right. There's something going on in the right hip which causes a popping or twanging sensation when stretching and 'straightening' my feet that I think is related. It doesn't really cause any problems day-to-day but is a nuisance when riding.
For me it is about stretching to 'unlock' the ligaments and allow the hip to sit straighter in the socket. Stable work warms me up nicely and then I do some lunges, leg swings, lifting my knee up and then out etc. I look more than a little silly when I do it so in the stable is preferable
Then once I'm on board and horse and I have warmed up, I take my feet out of the stirrups and let them hang, swing etc then lift my whole leg away from the horse. Sitting tall, balanced and looking ahead, hold for 3-5 and relax. I particularly like doing the previous exercise and then lifting my knees so they touch over the pommel (like a jockey). I do this in halt and walk with someone holding the horse. I might get a satisfying but painless 'pop' in my hip but what I do never normally hurts so I stop if it does.
I do find I tend to tighten through my left hip too so end up gripping up with my left leg and therefore in with my heel. Consciously dropping weight into my left seatbone and lower leg and doing a little standing walk, trot and occasionally canter, helps me here.
I worked out the above by trial and error but had to go to a physio recently for another problem with my feet and lower legs, and she spotted the issue with my duck feet and gave me some easy exercises to strengthen and stretch in the right places which helped with my riding as an added bonus. Might be worth it if you can afford it. Also pilates type sessions specifically for riding can be very useful - it's obviously always safer and more effective to get someone on the ground to advise you in person but I hope I've given you some hope that you can conquer the go-faster duck feet
good luck
For me it is about stretching to 'unlock' the ligaments and allow the hip to sit straighter in the socket. Stable work warms me up nicely and then I do some lunges, leg swings, lifting my knee up and then out etc. I look more than a little silly when I do it so in the stable is preferable
Then once I'm on board and horse and I have warmed up, I take my feet out of the stirrups and let them hang, swing etc then lift my whole leg away from the horse. Sitting tall, balanced and looking ahead, hold for 3-5 and relax. I particularly like doing the previous exercise and then lifting my knees so they touch over the pommel (like a jockey). I do this in halt and walk with someone holding the horse. I might get a satisfying but painless 'pop' in my hip but what I do never normally hurts so I stop if it does.I do find I tend to tighten through my left hip too so end up gripping up with my left leg and therefore in with my heel. Consciously dropping weight into my left seatbone and lower leg and doing a little standing walk, trot and occasionally canter, helps me here.
I worked out the above by trial and error but had to go to a physio recently for another problem with my feet and lower legs, and she spotted the issue with my duck feet and gave me some easy exercises to strengthen and stretch in the right places which helped with my riding as an added bonus. Might be worth it if you can afford it. Also pilates type sessions specifically for riding can be very useful - it's obviously always safer and more effective to get someone on the ground to advise you in person but I hope I've given you some hope that you can conquer the go-faster duck feet
good luck
Hi, thank you for the advise. I didn’t know that they have Pilates for riding. Do you know where I can a trainer for Pilates? Should I ask my trainer if she can help me with the lifting leg on horseback stretches?Hello from another duck footed rider! I have slight external rotation of both legs but more on my right. There's something going on in the right hip which causes a popping or twanging sensation when stretching and 'straightening' my feet that I think is related. It doesn't really cause any problems day-to-day but is a nuisance when riding.
For me it is about stretching to 'unlock' the ligaments and allow the hip to sit straighter in the socket. Stable work warms me up nicely and then I do some lunges, leg swings, lifting my knee up and then out etc. I look more than a little silly when I do it so in the stable is preferable
I do find I tend to tighten through my left hip too so end up gripping up with my left leg and therefore in with my heel. Consciously dropping weight into my left seatbone and lower leg and doing a little standing walk, trot and occasionally canter, helps me here.
I worked out the above by trial and error but had to go to a physio recently for another problem with my feet and lower legs, and she spotted the issue with my duck feet and gave me some easy exercises to strengthen and stretch in the right places which helped with my riding as an added bonus. Might be worth it if you can afford it. Also pilates type sessions specifically for riding can be very useful - it's obviously always safer and more effective to get someone on the ground to advise you in person but I hope I've given you some hope that you can conquer the go-faster duck feet
We used to do exercises on horseback.
It's a fun way to warm yourself up, so yes ask them to teach you round the world, half scissors etc etc.
And look into Pilates.
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