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Rising trot induced systematic changes in movement symmetry of the horses. The most prominent effect was decreased pelvic rise that occurred as the rider was actively rising up in the stirrups, thus creating a downward momentum counteracting the horse’s push off. This mimics a push off type lameness in the hindlimb that is in stance when the rider sits down in the saddle during the rising trot.

On the circle, the asymmetries induced by rising trot on the correct diagonal counteracted the circle induced asymmetries, rendering the horse more symmetrical. This finding offers an explanation to the equestrian tradition of rising on the ‘correct diagonal’ likely making the underlying more symmetrical movement of the horse more comfortable for the rider.