Diagonals

Irishcobs

Irishcobs

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When schooling Gyp is fine on both reins/diagonals but when trotting on the roads he will always throw me on to the left diagonal (left rein) and if I change he feels horrible. He almost throws me to the left. So I make sure I always trot him on the right diagonal (right rein).
Hattie however is exactly the same on both diagonals.
Any one else's horses favour a diagonal?
 
Not just my horse but me too, we both favour the left rein, we have to really try and remember to do both reins when we are out as I naturally always go on the left. The right feels quite uncomfortable and I know that they should both feel very similar
 
Me and Jerry both seem to favour the right rein! I always try to make sure I change diagonals when on a hack. I look at the bend in the road ahead and make sure I am on the correct diagonal for that bend!
 
One of my horses is left sided and the other is right sided, Keeps my on my toes
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Its quite common and I wouldn't worry too much about it, however it a good way of telling if a horse is using his muscles correctly on each side and is well balanced throughout, its very common for them to go relatively even in the ménage on both reins but can show up like a sore thumb out hacking, like you mention trotting on a straight road for instance, keep changing your diagonal regularly when hacking out and work on the other a little, carefully watch how he uses his shoulders on the rein where you find you are twisting slightly when rising out of the saddle, halt to trot/ walk to trot transitions also help to 'pick them up and use themselves better even while out hacking, just a takes a little work but it will come right and then you won't be able to tell any difference, its amazing how much schooling you can do while out hacking!
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