Frustration-Free Diagonals - Beginner Riding Lesson with 11 year old student

Here are some tips to help you learn how to post on the correct diagonal.

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• beginner
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• diagonal
• correct+diagonal
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• molly
• chloe

[Princeaboo]

Does it matter which hand is on their thigh? Let say tracking left as the child in the video?

[welcometopemberley]

@Princeaboo The hand goes on the outside leg. It's easier to feel there.

[charmed6057]

I try sitting right before I begin posting trot, is this okay? I swear I get my diagonal right every time, because I feel it. Any advice?

[welcometopemberley]

@charmed6057 Yeah, whatever is natural is fine. I have my students do two point first because it helps them get their balance correct for posting. Chloe is a really good example of a rider who doesn't get her shoulders over her knees far enough and can't get up easily for posting. Two point is good for that. Feeling your diagonals is great. Just play with going back and forth so you know the difference. I prefer to teach by feel and then have the kids learn to look for it later.

[BookendsPonies]

I have favorited several of your teaching videos and was excited to see a new one available. When the video showed up upside down, I thought you'd come up with some really bizarre way of demonstrating how difficult diagonals can be! Then I figured out it was youtube playing an April Fool's....:)

thanks for sharing your ideas!

[welcometopemberley]

Thanks :) I should try turning it upside down, lol. I remember just not being able to see the shoulder moving when I was little. Now I wonder how I couldn't see it. Would be interesting to learn something like that again.

[Princeaboo]

Great ideas! Thanks!

[twomblypublishing]

now try my diagonals TEST :)

[PlioCameBack]

thank you for these wonderful videos =D I've always had difficulty with my diagonals, even though I've been riding for over 5yrs & now work in the horse racing industry. I'm currently out of ajob so havnt ridden on nearly 9 months, it should be interesting when I go for a lesson at the weekend. I'll keep your words in mind =D

[BookendsPonies]

I had an interesting experience last winter when I got tendonitis in my right elbow so I tried cleaning stalls left handed and I was SO uncoordinated, manure was flying everywhere :) So I got a real feel for how difficult it is for the littles when I try to teach them to muck a stall!