trotting diagonals- Why?

[abi]

Why do we have "diagonals" when we trot?

yeah, it feels more balanced when we have the right diagonal, but why??

[brigadier]

Hi Abi
its because its easier for the horse to carry us in balance when he is flexed on a curve, so that the wieght of the rider is taken on the inside hind leg as that is the one with the power to carry the weight up and forward. Simple as that really. You may have noticed that some continental riders rise on the opposite diagonal to the one we use, where that comes from I dont know.
Brig

[maximum]

what she said!!!

also make sure when you hack out you change diagonal every now and then as most people prefer one to the other.

[racaille]

May 27, 2008 19:30:08 GMT brigadier said:

Hi Abi
its because its easier for the horse to carry us in balance when he is flexed on a curve, so that the wieght of the rider is taken on the inside hind leg as that is the one with the power to carry the weight up and forward. Simple as that really. You may have noticed that some continental riders rise on the opposite diagonal to the one we use, where that comes from I dont know.
Brig

That's interesting. Here we sitting down as the outside shoulder is coming back - is that the same for you? I've always understood that changing diagonals when out hacking was so that the horse doesn't become lop-sided, ie more muscley on one side.

[brigadier]

Hi- yes you should be sitting when the outside shoulder comes back and feel a double bump when you change. Although I understand that some continental riders do the complete reverse but I havent seen it just been told (by a respected source) Changing often helps keep the horse even and the rider.
brig

[brigadier]

Sorry forgot to add- you should never look to see if you are on the correct diagonal as it puts the horse on the forehand. You should feel for th bump from the outside hind then rise but it takes a lot of practice and the horse needs to be correct through its back and hocks- its quite a good way of noticing there may be something wrong with the horses hocks prior to it getting to the sore back/lame stage. If anyone wants a better explanation of an exercise to do to learn to feel for the correct diagonal then just ask- its one of those things we are told to do but bluff for years as we are too embarrassed to ask! (I know because thats what I did! )
brig

[duckles]

Please let us know the exercise! We were told initially to look down and then (as our riding progressed) to feel the shoulder coming back. Funnily I used to be able to feel naturally when learning to ride and was taught out of it!!! Now I always get the right diagonal correct and the left wrong so just sit for 2 when changing rein.

I also heard the thing about the continental riders doing the reverse. This dressage lady told us that plus it doesn't really matter which you go on as long as you change from time to time. Have to say didn't make sense to me as it feels so much better when you are on the correct one.

[Maes Seren]

Ohh brig, im interested in the exercise, my lot are all quite smooth, and tbh i find sitting to Bertha much more comfy than rising, but anything to help Gems downhillness! ;D

[brigadier]

Ok Heres my divorce papers!!! The Oh has just gone to bed hmmphing that Im on the b******forum again.

On a circle get a slow slow rhymthical trot- even better if someone lunges you but not necessary, sit to it and close your eyes and really relax so that you can feel the horse swinging underneath you and bouncing from diag pair to diag pair. It will feel like you are sat on two golf balls as you feel the bump in each alternate seatbone.

Start counting one two one two to ensure you get the feel.

Then start saying bump bump ........bump bump.....bump bump....
ensuring each bump corresponds with each alternate seat bone.
(honestly it feels like you get a kick up each seat bone!

Then start saying "bump" when you feel the outside seatbone kick and "up" when you feel the inside seatbone kick


so its bump up............bump up............bump up.................


then its simply feeling for the outside bump/kick in the outside seatbone and then rise. Check the shoulder and you should be correct.

Practice practice practice- as you get used to this and you will deffo have to re-learn the feeling if youve been doing it by looking for the shoulder, you will start to recognise where the horses feet are as you ask for trot and learn to feel if its correct or not even before youve established trot- then you just simply stick in a double bump if you are wrong.

Again if your horse is a little stiff through the back or hocks then this may not work as he may be tensing and this depends on the horse swinging through to take the weight correctly.

The exercise also helps you establish a lovely feeling learning seat and improves your sitting trot no end! The horses enjoy it aslo as you relax and concentrate on your body and not them- its amazing how they come round and soft when doing this!


DO NOT cut corners- work through the exercise saying the bumps etc and do it slowly perfecting each stage before moving on- THIS IS IMPORTANT as this teaches your brain and muscle co-ordination!

You may not get it straightaway but persevere.

Good luck- not many people know how to do this- as a test ask someone who is a know all and then just smile sweetly when they waffle an answer!
brig ;D

[otto]

The major reason for diagonals is allow the rider to effectively influence the activity of the inside hind. On the correct diag the inside hind is back when the rider sits. This allows the most effective rapid light half halt and push through (not easy if standing) which encourages the horse to srep through more with the inside hind. Trying to influence the inside hind when it is in the forward postion will not increase activity.