Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

janet palma <idighorses@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Does anyone else have a horse that is super comfortable while posting on one diagonal and super uncomfortable while posting on the opposite diagonal?  My young horse almost feels "off" when I switch to the left diagonal.  I'm not sure if it's her or me...I feel sort of "off" when I post on the left.  She actually pops me back onto the right sometimes when I try to switch.  I practically rode my entire last ride posting on the comfy side - not good.  When I ride her in an arena (I take dressage lessons on her occasionally) it's not a problem.  I'd love to hear if this is common and how to deal with it...just any advice or experiences that might enlighten.  Maybe it's just because she is young and hasn't developed the strength on that side.  She's done a total of two limited distance rides, the third will be this weekend. Thanks, Janet

 

Janet,

 

Horses can be one sided, and prefer a  diagonal on trotting or side when loping.

 

I have 5 horses, and ride horses for other people.  I find that I tend to "get thrown up onto the left lead" and feel more comfortable on the left lead on almost every horse, which makes me suspect it is ME.  I try really hard to ride on the right diagonal, because I find if I lose focus, I switch back to the left diagonal.  If I work consciously at it down the trail, (arena work is more or less a given on diagonal), I do start to feel more comfortable on the right diagonal. Is it me or is it the horse getting stronger and more balanced?  Unfortunately, for me it seems to be transitional, because I seem to have to keep reinventing the wheel, and concentrating on the right diagonal.

 

I wish you many happy miles on your horse.

 

Jo Anne

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