Comments on: Why Do You Teach Trot Diagonals in Horseback Riding Lessons?

By: TheRidingInstructor

TheRidingInstructor — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 20:02:53 +0000

In reply to Ginger. Hi Ginger I'm happy the article helped. Best wishes for great lessons. Barbara

By: Ginger

Ginger — Sun, 09 Apr 2017 12:45:13 +0000

Thanls for such a good artical i always had a hard time with my diagonals and know im a horse instructor and that pic really helped me out explain it alot better

By: TheRidingInstructor

TheRidingInstructor — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 02:37:27 +0000

In reply to Catherine.

Catherine,
Thanks for your comment. Yes, it’s always the horse first.
Barbara

By: Catherine

Catherine — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 23:32:59 +0000

Posting on the “outside” diagonal is, and should be, for the benefit of the horse, particularly on a circle. When you get out of the saddle as the outside fore is coming forward, you are also getting off of their backs to better allow the inside hind to step in and under their bodies for better balance and support. That is the main reason. The rest is secondary.

By: TheRidingInstructor

TheRidingInstructor — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 17:23:59 +0000

In reply to boettcherk. Hi boettcherk, Thanks for your comment. Helping riders to develop feel for diagonals is really important. In fact any time you can help a rider with feel as opposed to site you've given them a little extra depth. Good job. Barbara

By: TheRidingInstructor

TheRidingInstructor — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 17:17:46 +0000

In reply to Carrie Ferrer. Hi Carrie, Thanks for your comments and for the sneaky training aid! Barbara

By: TheRidingInstructor

TheRidingInstructor — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 17:13:30 +0000

In reply to Larry West. Hi Larry-thanks for your really insightful comments. Barbara

By: Larry West

Larry West — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 13:43:17 +0000

Good article! I teach foundation training to all levels of riders as I’ve found modern day horse and rider training focuses too much on a particular discipline verses a good solid foundation for both horse and rider. The posting trot on the correct diagonal is one of the first things I have the rider master. I feel it is the best exercise to teach riders how to develop timing and to learn to “feel” their horse. It is an easy gait for the horse, has a “built in” reminder when on the wrong diagonal (why is this such a rough ride?) and is generally a slow enough speed not to over excite the novice rider. Additionally, its a great tool to help riders strengthen their legs and improve their balance. Coupled with riding standing up in the “crouching tiger” position it is excellent for help riders learn to use their legs and quit balancing on the reins. In regards to horses being better one direction to the other, I find a lot of that has to do with the rider. Right hand dominate riders are more comfortable going left and vice versa, subsequently, the rider will spend more time riding in the direction they are most comfortable. My riding sessions always start going to the right! Keep up the good work!

By: Carrie Ferrer

Carrie Ferrer — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 12:54:58 +0000

For me, teaching the correct diagonal is about balance. Balance for the rider, teaching the rider to balance the horse and an overall balanced picture. Additionally, posting on the correct diagonal helps to teach correct use of the inside/outside legs! Sneaky training aid: If you press with your inside calf muscle just a wee bit more than with your outside calf muscle when beginning the post to trot, you are pressing in a cross diagonal manner which should allow you to pick up the correct diagonal easier.

We ride out in the open, so teach inside/outside, no rise and fall…. Eeewww. Now, Up/Down is different. And, yes, you are absolutely right… I pay attention to make sure my riders work both sides of the horses equally and teach them to change directions frequently. Thank you for this morning’s lesson!

By: boettcherk

boettcherk — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 19:35:53 +0000

Barbara,

Love all your articles. Thanks for taking the time.

I teach the diagonals for the reasons you mentioned above -equal exercising of the horses’s muscles, and so if they decide to go in a show ring,t hey’re correct. However, I teach them to pick up the “correct” diagonal by feel instead of using rise and fall with the shoulder on the wall as I don’t want them looking down to check to see if they are correct. So, I call out “up” right when the inside hind is just about ready (hoof on the toe) to leave the ground. I have them sit and learn the feel at the walk first, and then the feel during a sitting trot. Most students that have not had prior instruction pick the feel up very quickly.

Kathy Boettcher
Meadowsweet Ranch