Confusion with diagonals?

Question

I have been horseback riding for about 3/4 years, why shouldn't I know my diagonals? It's really confusing. All of my friends are posting on the outside diagonal and my trainers tell me the inside diagonal is the right one. When I am on the outside like my friends,my trainers tell me to switch it. When my friends are on the inside diagonal,my trainers tell them to switch to outside.Why is this?

Answer 1

Think of it this way:

When you are riding your horse at a trot and about to post, and if the wall is on your right side, then whenever the horse's leg goes up on your right(the side that the wall is on) you go up in the saddle. And it's the same for the left side. The horse's left leg(wall on the left) goes up, then you go up. And to switch diagonals, you have to sit for two beats, then start posting/rising trot again. Hope this helps.=D Good luck. I am a beginner in English riding, so I am just learning about posting/rising trot. but I already know about diagonals.

Answer 2

your trainer shouldn't be telling you to switch to the inside. MAKE SURE that you are on the outside--front muscle comes forward, you go up--i'm sure you know--but if you show, always be on the outside, inside is WRONG. i would consider looking for another trainer, if theres one at your barn or what, bc that is not correct and she/he could be misleading you friends and you with other things, too.

Answer 3

outside is the correct diagonal. There is no question about that.

Answer 4

I have been riding for close to 40 years and I have taught lessons.  You always follow the shoulder on the rail.  When it goes forward, you go up.  Just keep watching the rail shoulder and think shoulder forward me up.

Answer 5

It's time to have a serious conversation with your trainer. You always post on your outside diagonal. (.) It's non-negotiable; "Rise and fall with the leg on the wall" --- have you possible confused what this means and that's why you feel like she's giving you instructions that are different from everyone else?

Answer 6

idk y your trainer tells u the inside is right. outside is correct and if you ever plan on showing its the one 2 use! Hope that helps!

Answer 7

you always use the horses outside leg for your trotting diagonal. when your horse canters you want the inside leg to stride more. but ALWAYS GO ON THE OUTSIDE LEG!!!!

hope i helped. i am 14 and i have been riding since i was 2 1/2

Answer 8

Post rising on the outside diagonal,  I.E., when the outside foreleg comes forward, your bottom is out of the saddle.  Outside always refers to the opposide side of the bend.  Horse bending to right, means you rise on the left foreleg/right hindleg diagonal, and vice versa.  I think you're having a communication problem with your instructors.  And "inside" refers to the bend on the horse's body, and not the location of the arena fence.

In rereading your question, I have a feeling that you THINK your on the outside, when you're actually on the inside diagonal.  No instructor is going to tell you to rise on the inside diagonal.

Answer 9

no outside is 100% right! try switching trainers, thats what i did because she didnt pay attention! it was a whole year and i didnt even canter yet! i switched barns, and the 2nd day i cantered and 1st i jumped! Switch while u can!

Answer 10

How I learned.

"Rise and fall with the leg on the wall"

Be up in your posting position when the outside front leg is up. Simple as that, if ever in doubt take a glance down. Or watch their shoulder. When it's forward you should be out of the saddle. Fool proof!

Answer 11

I learned to post (rise) on the outside diagonal, but this would be a better question to ask your instructor.  It doesn't make any sense that your trainers would tell you one thing and the other riders something else.