Stretch That Achilles Tendon!!

A good rider always keeps her heels down or at least level with her toes while the foot is in the stirrup. None of this heels high stuff goin' on! Maybe I should do a brush up on good horsemanship for a few posts but while I'm on the subject, I'm gonna let fly.

You only put the ball of your foot into the stirrup and then the heel is level or a tad lower than your toes. You don't want to push your heel too far down because, depending on the barrel of the horse and how long/short your legs are, you can push your lower leg out, away from the horse or even get east/west toes (pointing opposite directions).

So, the first thing is how to get the stretched out, elongated achilles tendons? The best way is by riding, of course, but since most of us don't spend all day in the saddle, here's how I have done so in the past. Use your common sense on this. If it hurts too badly, don't do it. Don't force yourself into contortions to do this. Be sensible about this.

Take a 2x4 post and lay it on the ground. Holding onto a chair or the hitching rail, put the ball of your foot or if you can't, your toes on the edge of the post. Slowly and gently ease your heels down to the ground. If you can do it all the way, great, if you can only go half an inch, that's fine too. The point is to stretch that tendon (I'm tired of spelling out achilles, ok?) so while in the saddle, it's almost natural for your heel to stay down without much thought. While on the post, you have to bend your knees a little bit and stay balanced or you'll go ass over teakettle. Oh, yeah, do this on the ground, NOT on something hard, like concrete...remember, use common sense! :-)

This way, you have to streeeetch that tendon AND work on your balance! A two-fer!! Plus a 2x4 is cheap and you didn't have to spend $100 for a signature post from a BNTT...*snork*...

Now the only thing I've really noticed is that for western, balancing on the post puts your a bit out of whack. Your heels will be a bit too far back but still, working on balance and the stretching will be great for you. Pretty soon, you can do this without holding on to something. I stretch even while walking up steps to my tack room. Anywhere you can find to stand on the balls of your feet and let your heels down.

The next day or so, you'll feel it, oh, yes, you'll feel it and that's good. That means you're doin' it right! Keep at it and don't ever give up. As long as you ride horses, you'll need the stretched tendon.

Now, after stretching, go ride. :-)