Riding Uphill and Downhill
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- Опубликовано: 15 сен 2024
- Today we are talking about how to safely ride UPHILL and DOWNHILL, and how to keep your horse balanced and controlled while doing it.
Hurrying Downhill
Many horses want to hurry down a hill. To address hurrying downhill, I like to slow my horse down picking up on one rein and then the other - this will slow him without getting him off balance or allowing him to brace against the bit. Then, when he has slowed enough to turn around, I'll turn him back up the hill and then try going down again, repeating as necessary.
Traveling Uphill
I'll often choose my trail based on existing livestock/deer/elk trails. I don't let my horse completely choose his own trail because I want to be able to make wise choices about where we are going. When it comes to traveling uphill, I am very careful to conserve my horse's energy. How can you best conserve your horse's energy? DON'T RUN UPHILL. If your horse lunges forward to get up the hill, pick up on one rein and then the other to slow him down, then turn him back around and ask him back up the hill.
Rider Body Position on Hills
Uphill - Lean slightly forward to get your weight over his shoulders and encourage him to push with his hindquarters.
Downhill - Many people say to lean back, but in reality, this just puts your weight on his loins and pushes his hind end out behind him. This will make him brace on his front end, and your saddle will start to slide forward. Instead, I like to sit straight up.
Hill Exercises
1. To help your horse get his hindquarters underneath him, you can pick a safe hill and pick up to a trot or a lope going down the hill. He will learn to get his hindquarters under himself in order to stay balanced and get down the hill.
2. Find steeper and uglier places that aren't very long to give your horse a chance to practice without being in an unsafe situation.
Dismounting on a Hillside
Remember to ALWAYS step off on the uphill side of the hill.
I love to get outside and ride through open country. But riding is always most fun when we have a set of rules that keep us safe and in control. I hope this video helps you and your horse have the most fun possible while out on the trail.
Until next time, may God bless the trails you ride,
-Ken McNabb
Gorgeous solid black horse with a tiny white spot on the forehead. My favorite.
Love it. I have had more improvement from watching your videos in myself as a rider and in all of my horses’ attitudes and confidence levels versus any other training videos I’ve tried hands down! Can’t wait to try these techniques. Thank you.
Great video. As usual, I learned sonething 😊 Thanks Ken!
Thank you thank you! For years I've listened to trail ride leaders telling people to lean back going downhill and seeing riders leaning way back in the saddle with their legs stuck forward and their butts sliding forward in the saddle. I haven't owned a horse for many years and only way I can ride is trail ride and also have western lessons. I know the trail riding places have a lot of beginner riders but I just ignore them when the say lean back going down hill. I never make these trail horses canter uphill like a lot of people do, they get enough work without me making them do more even with my 47k body weight. It can be tough riding strange horses but I know my limitations and never over horse myself as they're not my horses so I can't train them, I have to go with what I get. Yes, I'd never get off on the downhill side. Best wishes from Australia xo
Thank you Ken. This info you shared will help me and my horse after working her thru it. God bless
If this is somewhere you ride often, zig zagging on the hill is a great idea. If you wear a trail straight up and down it will allow far more erosion.
Great video. Thank you!!
Ken, I love your videos, but your Interstate analogy is lacking…. I wouldn’t blindly let my car drive on cruise control because my car doesn’t have a brain, as my horse does.