Technique or Torture? Riding without stirrups, with Jenn Serek

Riding without stirrups improves the very framework of good riding by strengthening and stabilizing the leg. Here, Jenn Serek explains the importance of incorporating riding without stirrups into every schooling session.

“The lower leg is the base of the rider and the foundation of riding; if that isn’t solid, your position just isn’t going to work. I always like to think of starting position improvements from the bottom up, and if the foundation of the house isn’t properly built, the house isn’t going to stay up. Riding without stirrups does more than any exercise to develop a secure lower leg position.

I like to introduce riding without stirrups before riders can canter. I love to put riders on the lunge line and take away both stirrups and reins, as it really helps to develop that stability. When riders are more advanced, I try to encourage them to incorporate no stirrups a bit during every ride. If I ride an average of eight horses a day, I try to do no-stirrup work with half of them. Maybe with one horse I will canter without stirrups and with another I will work on my fitness and practice posting without stirrups. Perhaps with another I’m having difficulty with suppleness and I will use sitting trot without stirrups to really get a feel of the horse. I like sitting trot without stirrups to develop a really round horse, and I think sometimes you can achieve more without stirrups because you can sit into them so well.

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As much as I encourage practice without stirrups, I think there’s a fine line between pushing yourself and doing it badly, especially when fatigue begins to factor in. You want to be sure you’re riding off the lower leg, that your knee isn’t pinching, and that you’re not just heaving yourself out of the saddle when posting. If your lower leg is loose and in the wrong position, you are subsequently going to have a hard time getting up into your two-point or you might sit too deeply because you’ll be riding off your seat. Posting trot is really what’s going to build the muscle in your lower legs; be on the front of your leg, and use your inner thigh. Make sure when you are doing work without stirrups that your leg doesn’t get out in front of you. You want to focus on the same alignment without stirrups as you do with stirrups: shoulder to hip to heel.

We tend to do a lot of work without stirrups in the fall getting ready for the finals, but I use it year-round because overall it makes you a better rider. Whether or not you cross your irons or not depends on the sensitivity of horse and rider – some have issues with stirrups banging against the sides or ankles. If you’re going to do equitation classes you have to be prepared and assume that the judges are going to take away your stirrups.

Practice often without stirrups to develop stability. While in the equitation ring you may need it in the finals, and I’ve won countless jumper classes or grand prix even while losing a stirrup here or there.”