| If you are new to riding, chances are you've heard the | | | | What happens if you aren't riding in ring? What if you |
| word "diagonal" bandied about. But what exactly is a | | | | are out riding on the trails? Which diagonal is correct in |
| diagonal, and how does it pertain to your riding? Keep | | | | that case? Well, if you are taking a trot down the road, |
| reading and you'll find out! | | | | then either diagonal will do. Just pick one! However, you |
| Basically, "diagonal" means opposite corner. When a | | | | should know the horse's legs you are posting on work |
| horse trots, his legs move in diagonal pairs. Think about | | | | harder than those you are not posting on. To that end, |
| it. When your horse's left front leg is forward, so is his | | | | it's always a good idea to switch diagonals every now |
| rear right leg. When his right front leg is forward, so is | | | | and again to give your horse a break. His muscles will |
| his left rear leg. | | | | surely appreciate it! |
| When the left front and right back legs are forward, | | | | Determining Your Diagonal |
| this is called the left diagonal. When the right front and | | | | There is so much to think about when you are riding! |
| left back legs are forward, this is called the right | | | | How, amidst all this, can you tell if you are on the right |
| diagonal. | | | | diagonal? |
| Posting on the Diagonal | | | | Well, determining whether you are on the right diagonal |
| When you are riding in a ring, it is important that you | | | | is actually much easier than it sounds. Try this. Begin by |
| post on the correct diagonal. Why? Because it is | | | | getting into a nice, steady trot along the rail. As you sit, |
| easier for your horse to balance on a turn if you are | | | | take a quick look down at your horse's outside |
| on the correct diagonal. | | | | shoulder. Is the outside shoulder back when you sit? If |
| So, what is the correct diagonal? If you are working in | | | | it is, you are on the correct diagonal. If you find that the |
| a ring, the correct diagonal is the outside diagonal. In | | | | outside shoulder is forward as you sit, then you are on |
| other words, if you are traveling to the right around a | | | | the wrong diagonal. You are going to have to change |
| ring, the correct diagonal is when the left front leg and | | | | it. So how do you do that? |
| right back leg are forward. If you are traveling left | | | | Changing Diagonals |
| around the ring, the outside diagonal is when the right | | | | Changing diagonals is much easier than it sounds. |
| front leg and left back leg are forward. | | | | When you post, you are alternating between sitting |
| So how does this work when you are posting? Well, | | | | and rising. Sit, rise, sit, rise, sit rise. To change your |
| when you are posting on the correct diagonal when | | | | diagonal, just sit for an extra beat--sit, rise, sit, sit, rise, |
| going to the right, you would rise when the front left leg | | | | sit, rise. And voila! You are now on a different diagonal! |
| is extended, and sit when the right front leg is | | | | Make sure you sit for two beats only--if you sit for |
| extended. Conversely, when traveling to the left, you | | | | three beats, you'll end up right back on the same |
| would rise when the right front leg was forward, and | | | | diagonal you started on. |
| sit when the left front leg was forward. Some | | | | With a little experience, you'll be able to feel whether |
| instructors put colored bandages on the horses front | | | | you are on the right diagonal, and won't have to look |
| legs to help new riders learn their diagonals. | | | | down any more. Happy riding! |