As has been discussed about the judging of
riders in some kinds of CTR's, I was taught that I should get up and
forward when my horse is climbing steep hills. What I've finally learned,
however, is that for this particular horse I needed to do just the
opposite.
My gelding is a narrow, TBy-looking QH
who has always been heavy on the forehand. I was desperate to strengthen
his hind end, and a friend suggested that I work him on very steep hills by
sitting on his back and making sure that he didn't have his head down as we
climbed.
The difference has been phenomenal.
He no longer pulls himself up hills with his forelegs. His rear shoes
now show twice as much wear as the fronts, and before it was just the
opposite. Yesterday my farrier told me that Jack is clearly more
comfortable with having his rear legs held up for shoeing.
Question for folks more experienced than me
(which means almost everyone on this list) -- as time goes on, can I begin to
sometimes give him a break by getting up out of the saddle during steep
climbs? I'm thinking that I should continue to sit those climbs during
most of our conditioning work but then make it easier for him during
rides. Comments?
