RE: RE: Training a uncoordinated 6year old on downhills

[Eby Banfill <e.banfill@urecon.com>]

Two of the most important pieces of equipment in my limited 
endurance experience is a crupper and breastplate. 
If your girth isn't as tight as it can possibly be, you are 
sure to experience saddle slippage on even the slightest of inclines, up and
down.
Who rides even LD with a super tight girth? 
I've gotten horses used to a crupper first on the ground, then I led them at
a walk down the first few hills so they can experience the feeling of the
crupper.
No more worries about slippage, crushing shoulders, etc...

Eby Banfill
e.banfill@urecon.com
 

-----Original Message-----
From: Steph Teeter [mailto:steph@endurance.net]
Sent: Monday, October 23, 2000 11:37 AM
To: partlypainted1@aol.com
Cc: ridecamp@endurance.net
Subject: RC: RE: Training a uncoordinated 6year old on downhills


I would guess that his saddle is causing  him pain when
you go downhill - crushing his shoulders possibly. See if
you can slide your hand between his shoulders and your
saddle while he's walking on the level. You should be able
to. If you can't it's probably bruising his scapula - and
even more so when the saddle is weighted going downhill.
It might be a balance/coordination problem - but first check
your saddle fit.

Steph