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Post by scattymare on Mar 12, 2009 22:05:57 GMT
Promped by the recent posts on correct legs etc in trot and canter, it just got me thinking - when doing rising trot, what is the reason for sitting when the outside leg goes back? I can't see that it would make much difference to balance - maybe I'm wrong? Or is it just one of those things that is the 'correct' way to do it but for no reason. Just thought of another one - why are you always taught to mount on the near side?? And lead on the near side??  *modified to change the title - ended up asking more than one question!!* |
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Post by Jen on Mar 12, 2009 22:43:58 GMT
we mount from the left and lead from the left because whenh our men went into battle they were right handed so had swords on the left of their body and it was simply easier to mount and lead from the let as said swords didnt get in the way and slice either them, the horse or the belt it was tucked into - the didnt relish the thought of being defenceless as well as trouserless!!!!! although it is correct to mount from the near side i also mount regulary from the offside (when i ride bloss - college would have a fit if i did so here!!) in an attempt to keep muscle usage the same for the horse - they use different muscles when you mount from either side and it just helps prevent one set from over developing and the other from under developing. also if for any reason you have to dismount/fall off whilst hacking and it is only possible to get on from the wrong side it doesnt completely freak out the horsey  hope this helps! |
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Post by spotti on Mar 13, 2009 8:33:34 GMT
Thats created a funny image of soldiers with no trousers on riding out to battle...ha ha ha! I agree with the mounting thing As for sitting when the outside leg is back, wouldn't that make the inside fore be back too...therefore it is directly beneath the horse when the most weight is exerted upon it (i.e. ours and the horses) so this is the best position for the horse as it allows it to support the weight better? |
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Post by racaille on Mar 13, 2009 10:22:17 GMT
Good points, Spotti. Our Saumur prof said the rising trot thing was simply convention and designed by clubs so that their horses muscled up equally on both sides - otherwise kids would always rise/sit on the most comfortable diagonal but this way they are obliged to do half and half. He said it was better to change diagonals every 10 to 15 strides but that would only work on your own horse as a RI wouldn't be able to enforce this in lessons.
It is a good idea to mount from the 'wrong' side as Jen says. It can also be one of the tests in the PTV of a TREC on the basis that out on the trail you may have to do it if in difficult terrain. You'd be surprised how it can freak some horses out! And how ruddy difficult it is for the rider!
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Post by spotti on Mar 13, 2009 14:50:03 GMT
Re: mounting from the 'off' side I know! I've tried getting on from the 'off' side and it's so hard! I'm so uncoordinated! I never thought it would be as difficult as it was! Luckily my ponio has gotten quite used to my mad old ways (even stood still in the middle of the school, untied/held while I attempted playing about at 'around the world'...bareback!) so she's doesn't bat an eyelid if I do something odd such as getting on from the 'wrong' side. [show her a bush that has been there since forever that she's seen a million time before and that's a different story!  ) |
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Post by duckles on Mar 13, 2009 20:25:46 GMT
Racaille, I have been told the same about diagonals as well, ie it doesn't matter which as long as you change regularly. (which can be hard to do)
One thing I read which I found interesting was about the letters around the school, A, K, E, H,C, M, B, F- originated from the arena in the army schools. (In Germany I think?) The letters stood for the soldiers rank, captain or whatever and horses were tied up at the appropiate letter- then they got into the habit or exercising according to the letters. How through this is, I don't know but it was something I had wondered about.
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Post by scattymare on Mar 15, 2009 18:35:19 GMT
Thats interesting - I'd never thought about the letters and why.
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Post by brigadier on Mar 15, 2009 21:55:44 GMT
Id not thought about that either! but most of why we do what we do originates from the military so it sounds reasonable. The rising thing is so the riders weight is on the horse when its in the best position to carry it forward, ie inside hind in contact with the ground propelling it forward. However on the striaght it matters not which diagonal as long as its changed regularly to help the horse stay even. But if serious about dressage/correct schooling even when going 'straight' the horse should be flexed slightly one way or the other so its always ridden from the leg to the hand!
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for so much hard work we thank ye!!