The correct diagonal?

Vikki89

Vikki89

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I have been taught to sit when the outside shoulder (so my left) is forward and have had the same instructor for the past two years but i had a lesson yesterday somewhere else and was told i was on the wrong diagonal and so to sit when the inside shoulder (my right) is forward.
It felt wrong and not so comfortable yesterday but i don't know if thats because it was wrong or because im used to the other or because i was on something completely different to my own horse.

So which is correct?
 
I was taught to sit when the outside shoulder is back so if I was on the left rein I would sit when the right shoulder was back and on the right rein would sit when the left shoulder is back.
 
To be on the correct diagonal, depends on which rein you are on for a start.
If you are on the left rein, then you will rise when the outside (right) shoulder is forward.
If you are on the right rein, then you will rise when the outside (left) shoulder is forward.

If you are looking at the inside shoulder - then:
If you are on the left rein, then you will sit when the inside(left) shoulder is forward.
If you are on the right rein, then you will sit when the inside (right) shoulder is forward.

Every instructor I know will be having you look at the outside shoulder moving forward although it is better to try to feel when the horse is propelling you forward and out of the saddle as to keep you balance better. :)
 
The most popular way is to sit when the outside foreleg is on the floor, this is what 99% of us are taught.
However, there are advocates of the other way around, iirc one of whom medalled at the World Champs in Dr many years ago, so it's not absolutely cast in stone.
have a look at
http://www.equine-world.co.uk/riding_horses/inttrot.htm

there's a good explanation there of why we do it this way around.
 
I was taught to sit when the outside leg comes back.

And when I hack I make sure that I change the diagonal every so often so that I'm not always sitting when, for instance, the right leg comes back. To try and help even up the pressure.
 
I was taught you sit when the outside shoulder is back (so when it's on the floor), and at the same time the inside shoulder should be forwards.

Therefore you rise when the outside leg is forwards and the inside leg is back.
 
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Persephone said:
I rise when the inside shoulder is forward, so I think that's the same as you?
Click to expand...

So am I doing it wrong Kerrilli?

Funnily enough I was taught by a German taight Army Instructor. When I started having lessons with somebody else I was always getting pulled up for being on the wrong diagonal!
 
Would this be noticed on a dressage test as i have not had any comments on it?
I have been sitting when the outside shoulder is forward for the past two years and was told this by my instructor who i fully trust and has helped me alot so have just always assumed it was correct:confused: Do some people just ride slightly differently?
I wouldn't say i am unbalanced either.

Thanks for the responses :)
 
Yes, Persephone I'm afraid you were taught (or were listening) incorrectly. Sitting when the outside shoulder is back and rising when the inside shoulder is back would be correct (they are opposites!)

I was taught to sit as the outside foreleg is on the ground, hence shoulder will be back. At this point, the inside shoulder will be forward and I have heard of folks learning it that way - and seen them look at the inside shoulder and sit when it is forward.

But never your way!
 
Vikki89 said:
Would this be noticed on a dressage test as i have not had any comments on it?
I have been sitting when the outside shoulder is forward for the past two years and was told this by my instructor who i fully trust and has helped me alot so have just always assumed it was correct:confused: Do some people just ride slightly differently?
I wouldn't say i am unbalanced either.

Thanks for the responses :)
Click to expand...

I would have thought that it would have been noticed in a dressage test, if I were marking I would certainly notice it! As someone has said there seem to be a handful of riders that are taught in this way. There is no right or wrong way however sitting when the outside leg is back "allows the horse to best support the riders weight in the saddle and to allow the horse to become well muscled" as stated in the equine world link.
 
brighteyes said:
Yes, Persephone I'm afraid you were taught (or were listening) incorrectly. Sitting when the outside shoulder is back and rising when the inside shoulder is back would be correct (they are opposites!)

I was taught to sit as the outside foreleg is on the ground, hence shoulder will be back. At this point, the inside shoulder will be forward and I have heard of folks learning it that way - and seen them look at the inside shoulder and sit when it is forward.

But never your way!
Click to expand...


Oooh, how embarrassing :o I'm going to have a try the new way tomorrow. Is probably exactly what I have been doing anyway and I am just thinking too much :)
 
Yes, the usual way is to be sitting when the INSIDE HINDLEG is on the floor (which is also when the outside foreleg is on the floor) as this is the moment when the horse can best support your sitting weight, with the inside hind in the stance phase.
I'd expect a dressage judge to notice it and mark one down for it. But it depends on the judge, and the level, obviously.
 
The reason we rise is to allow the horse's shoulder to come through more when on a circle. We rise when the outside shoulder is coming forwards (rising with the movement of the shoulder) to allow the horse to stretch through and thus turn easier. To sit when the shoulder comes forward is effectively blocking forward movement on a bend.

Try in on a 10m circle - the horse will find it much easier to turn if you rise when the outside shoulder is coming forwards.
 
i found a video at random on youtube.
she's on the correct diagonal. she goes up when the outside foreleg goes forward, and sits when it is in the stance phase.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoZ57IiTAec

if you've been taught the other way, you could try it this way.
i'm trying to remember the name of the top rider who used to do it the other way, I think it was Mariette Withages, could be wrong though. She had her own rationale as to why it was better the other way...
 
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