This is the least confusing explanation I have read in
all this discussion. And thankfully, what I thought was
correct...is. The only riding lessons I have ever taken in my life were to
teach me to change diagonals. I constantly posted to the right diagonal,
and I knew that was not good. I think it took me two months of weekly
lessons to get it right, but now I can change without looking down. I can just
feel the correct diagonal. I use the changes on the serpentine trails we
have.
I took lots of riding
lessons when I was a little girl...LONG time ago. Had one of those scary
German dressage instructors...Anyway, diagonals were always so simple...I was
taught that if you are sitting when the left fore hits the ground you are on
the left diagonal...as we trotted around and around and around, we were also
taught to always be on the outside diagonal...i.e...if going counter clockwise
the right front leg is on the outside so sit when the right front leg
hits the ground. After awhile it is easy to see just by glancing down, which
shoulder/leg is hitting the ground. I have been afraid to say anything because
reading all these posts got so confusing I started to think I have been doing
it wrong all these many, many, many years ! ;-). So I'm not going to read
anymore and just stick with the simplest....which ever front leg is hitting
the ground at the same time your butt is coming in contact with the
horses back, that is what diagonal you are on.
