Keeping your heels down and legs long can be very challenging! Especially when you’re riding big bouncy horses and trying to do complicated movements!!
The key to keeping your heels down and your feet in the stirrups is that your ankle joints have to move AND you toes have to stay relaxed. Your ankles (along with the other joints in your legs) are shock absorbers that have to take up the motion of the horse. As the motion of the horse drops down to the ground, your ankle joints must also lower onto the ground.
Next time you ride, think about your toes while you are riding. I know this sounds crazy but if you keep your toes relaxed it will kelp you to keep your heels down and ankles moving.
This flexibility is also so important to be able to kick your horse. In order to effectively influence your horse with your lower leg, you of course start with your calf but if the horse does not respond to this pressure, then you must give them a kick. Kicking requires that your heels can come off the horse and with a loose ankle slap the horse.
Happy Riding!
Amelia
