Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Beverley H. Kane, MD wrote:
> Diane - Could you explain -exactly- how you "teach most horses to [use their
> hind ends downhill]"?  Thanks. - Beverley
>
> On 12/23/05 7:22 AM, "heidi@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx" <heidi@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>
> > (In fact, some "maintenance conditioning"
> > downhill is needed to keep those muscles in tip-top shape even in a
> > good downhiller, or they will get sore on a ride with a lot of down.)
> > It is indeed possible to teach most horses to do this, even if they
> > don't accomplish it naturally.  And if they do it right, then the
> > theory that they only have so many downhill miles is no longer
> > relevant.
Er..  that was Heidi who said that :)

The best I've been able to do is get my horses to jog downhill correctly.  Perhaps 
it's my electricity that causes them to lose form at higher speeds :)

I start on the flat, sit trotting and asking my horse to trot slower and slower but 
at the same time keeping a strong leg on my horse which asks for MORE forward motion. 
 The result I reward with praise and pats is when they reach their hind legs under 
themselves.  From the saddle this feels like their trot has developed a bit more 
spring and has become EASIER to sit to.  After a while, they get the idea.  When Mom 
starts sitting the trot, shortens my reins and squeezes, I'm supposed to slow down 
and prance a little.  Then out on the trail on a down hill I give the same set of cues.

What techniques do others use?


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