Issues with diagonals on former driving pony.

[Ownedby4horses]

Looking for info from driving people/anyone who has backed a driven pony.

Former driving pony, backed for two years but only hacked, as never had facilites.

Now, as have access to a school, doing some basic schooling. Rising to the trot on the right rein is awful unless ridden on the same diagonal as the left rein (so, basically it feels like a perfect balanced trot on both reins when only rising to the right shoulder).

Im interested to know if this has something to do with her being a former driving pony?

Its not an issue from a rider point of view as pony is ridden western and work is mainly in sitting trot and she will only be continued to be used for hacking (so no English GP aspirations ?). However, want to make sure im not missing an undetected physical issue.

Lovely, happy pony and absolutely no signs of any physcial issues or reluctance to do anything and has never been any different whilst owned, so pain isnt immediately the first thing im thinking.

Can anyone advise if its something they have come across before on a driven to ridden pony?

 

[Orangehorse]

Probably not, just the pony has never been ridden with different diagonals and they will always tend to favour one or the other. TBH I had never heard of rising to a different diagonals until I was an adult and had gone through Pony Club.

 

[rara007]

Not IME (approx 20 driven ponies I’ve ridden at a guess), but some do seem to favour 1 but I don’t think that’s related to driving as obviously it’s not a ‘thing’ driving!

 

[Spiritedly]

Is she a pacer? Only my mare is a pacer and although she does trot you can only rise on one diagonal with her, when her left hind comes through on either rein she pretty much launches you out of the saddle. When she paces she though she is totally smooth on both reins.

 

[Ownedby4horses]

Is she a pacer? Only my mare is a pacer and although she does trot you can only rise on one diagonal with her, when her left hind comes through on either rein she pretty much launches you out of the saddle. When she paces she though she is totally smooth on both reins.

Really interesting thanks, she’s definitely not a pacer, she’s a Dales.

 

[Ownedby4horses]

Not IME (approx 20 driven ponies I’ve ridden at a guess), but some do seem to favour 1 but I don’t think that’s related to driving as obviously it’s not a ‘thing’ driving!

Yes, Of course to the favouring one, I was overthinking it I think in terms of driving thinking of the camber of the road maybe forcing a favouring leg ?.

 

[shortstuff99]

To me this would indicate a weakness to one side, an even muscle tone and suppleness would make being on any diagonal feel the same. Maybe have a physio or someone on the ground take a look while you ride?

 

[Ownedby4horses]

Probably not, just the pony has never been ridden with different diagonals and they will always tend to favour one or the other. TBH I had never heard of rising to a different diagonals until I was an adult and had gone through Pony Club.

Thank you, Being on the right diagonal was drilled into me as a child and I’m trying not to look a fool as currently on quite a top training yard with lots of people fascinated stopping to watch the English woman with an unknown breed (Dales) in full western tack.

 

[Ownedby4horses]

To me this would indicate a weakness to one side, an even muscle tone and suppleness would make being on any diagonal feel the same. Maybe have a physio or someone on the ground take a look while you ride?

Yes, a weakness on that side could also be an issue but We’ve been viewed from the ground by a lot of people as so many people over here are fascinated by us and I’ve asked if anything looks unusual and no one has spotted anything yet (apart from me riding her on the “wrong diagonal”). She’s definitely super supple as her stretches are great (there’s nowhere she won’t stretch to for treats). I can see if there’s a physio visiting the yard soon to get them to take a look too.

 

[Gloi]

I've known several ponies like that. It's mainly been because they are rather stiff and have always been ridden on one diagonal by a past owner and have developed unevenly.

 

[Ownedby4horses]

I've known several ponies like that. It's mainly been because they are rather stiff and have always been ridden on one diagonal by a past owner and have developed unevenly.

Interesting, if a pony has only ever been hacked and obviously hasnt been schooled, would riding on the same diagonal if thats the one the horse favours, cause them stiffness? I guess they'd just be stiff if then ridden on a different diagonal? She's even from a muscular perspective and theres no obvious visual difference.

Here's a question to all actually, as ive never actuslly thought about ut before, Do horses favour a leg like humans are right handed/ left handed?

 

[ester]

'correct' diagonals vary by country too re. teaching I think IIRC.

In the later years of my boys ridden career, out hacking it was noticeable that you would be more comfortable on one than the other. (he did have a spavin one side)

 

[Gloi]

Interesting, if a pony has only ever been hacked and obviously hasnt been schooled, would riding on the same diagonal if thats the one the horse favours, cause them stiffness? I guess they'd just be stiff if then ridden on a different diagonal? She's even from a muscular perspective and theres no obvious visual difference.

Here's a question to all actually, as ive never actuslly thought about ut before, Do horses favour a leg like humans are right handed/ left handed?

In my experience, yes, they do muscle up unevenly even if the difference is too small to be seen by eye. Some do favour a leg though the way the rider sits can influence that a lot. A horse I know will only take one lead easily and that is due to a crooked rider. Feedback between the crooked rider and the horse makes it get worse over time.

 

[chaps89]

There's a difference in how mine feels and moves when I swap from one diagonal to another.
She may have been driven in the past (many years ago as a youngster) but not 100% on that.
I'm always conscious to change diagonals out hacking.
For her, this resolved when we fixed some soundness issues and re-appeared when medication wore off.
Not saying that to frighten you or that it means yours has physical problems too but just sharing my experience.