How to Keep Weight in Your Stirrups and Contact With Your Horse’s Side

I have a problem with my conformation, which causes lack of contact with the horse’s sides. Because I am very slim, when I focus on resting my feet on the stirrup, or even pushing my heels down, I almost don’t have contact between my thighs/calves and the saddle. And when I try to keep contact with the saddle (no squeezing) with my thighs and calves, and the weight in my stirrups, I lose my stirrups from time to time. I have the same issue even with making the stirrups shorter, and also on different saddles. Is there any trick that would help me keep both contact with the horse’s sides and also weight in my stirrups?

My trainer advised me to push my heels down and turn my toes in, but I feel that it is not comfortable. In addition to that, I feel that my calves go away from my horse’s sides and the only contact I have is with my knees.

Thank you!

Your weight in the jumping sport should be evenly distributed down through your thigh, knee, and calf into a deep heel. The foot rests on the stirrup just under the ball, or slightly in front of the ball of the foot, depending on your ankle flexibility. The toes do not turn in but out slightly, depending on your conformation to keep the calf in contact with the saddle. The pressure should be evenly distributed between your thigh, knee, and calf.

One of the best exercises to develop this, is by practicing daily in the two-point exercise at the walk and trot.  Do this in short bursts and focus on proper form. When you get tired, rest rather than sacrifice your form.  You will find that five minutes of this practice daily (on and off) will greatly enhance your form, balance, and strength.