Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Yes, it definitely makes a difference.  When I first started in this sport in 1999, I didn't know/think about changing diagonals...I just posted along.  Well, my farrier eventually pointed out the unevenness in my mare.  I always posted on the left diagonal.  Standing in front of her, her left shoulder looked like it belonged to a football linebacker, while the right shoulder was wimpy-looking.  Same thing when viewing her from the top.  That left sholder (and right rear) had to bear/lift more of my weight.  So I started introducing posting on the right diagonal...at first it was terrible - she felt 3-legged lame, and would immediately and violently do a skip-step and throw me back to the left.  I persisted, at first just posting on the right for a few steps at a time, then gradually increasing the time as she developed strength on that side.  In about a month, I saw changes in her assymmetry.  It took about 4-5 months to get her completely evened out.  And as she str engthened on her right side, she'd protest less when I posted on that side.  She always *preferred* me on the left, but would accept me posting on the right.

 

My current gelding prefers me on the right.  We'll have "diagonal wars" for the first couple of miles, then he'll give up and not fuss when I routinely switch back and forth every 1/4-1/2 mile or so.  My 5 year old has a slight preference for me posting on the left.  As long as I remember to check which diagonal I'm on, and remember which horse I'm on, I do ok.

 

Dawn in East Texas

 
-----Original Message-----
From: Ed Kilpatrick <whytrotfarms@xxxxxxxxx>
To: ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Tue, 4 Apr 2006 20:53:51 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [RC] introduction/diagonal nehance

change your diagonal?   i never have understood that.   if you are up on one, you are down on the other.  you are on the horse the whole time.  does it really make a difference?   to you?  or the horse?        cowboy ed