Dynamic Anterior Lower Legs From Horseback Riding

Never have I had such dynamic front lower legs.  Horseback riding has created an amount of dorsiflexion capabilities like I've never had in 44 years.  Years of swimming, yoga, jogging, cycling, dance & tumbling in my youth and undoubtedly genetics have provided strong & large calves and a good point.  The muscles around the shins lacked tone, until now.  "Relax that heel down" was repeated over and over again by the instructor in my first months of riding.   Between rides now I flex and circle my ankles, feeling the might in the anterior leg muscles.  I surmise this strengthening has helped to prevent the mild shin splints I used to get from jogging.