We had a post to our
NATRC list recently, from a newbie, asking about "allowing her horse" to
run up hills. This is the post I had sent to the list. Not really on the
same current talk of hills, but something maybe some of our lurkers who are new
to the sport might consider. I see too
often, horses are in charge....
*****
Horses wanting to lope or
canter up short steep hills is very common. And, very often, it becomes a
rider created habit. I've seen many pleasure riders "teach" their horses this
habit, without realizing they are creating the habit, just by allowing the
horse to pick the speed. It starts by a horse who is new to steep hill
climbing wanting to rush. It is indeed, easier on their body to THEM, to just
bounce on up that hill, as quick as possible. But, the horse is not
using its body to the best ability, it is not using each side of the
body equally, as it would walking, or even trotting, and mentally,
it becomes a learned habit.
Walking up hills will develop the hind end
muscles. Trotting up hills after a good walk is developed will continue to
build muscles, and also heart and wind. Cantering up long gradual hills, like
some of the fire roads in the hills around So. Calif will help built
heart and wind.
So, in training, you need to teach those horses to do
as you ask, which is walk, and let them develop the hindquarters to handle
hill climbing. At a NATRC ride, I'd say that most steep hills should
be walked. Now, that being said, there are situations where you may
be judged on a short steep climb, that is indeed, easier for the horse to
bounce on up it. An extreme example, is Cougar Rock at Tevis. Most of y'all
have seen the photos. 99% of those horses need to be moving at more than a
walk, to get up and over the hill. Walking can lose momentum, and the last
thing you want, is a horse that stops 1/2 way up something like that, as it
is very difficult to get the horse moving forward up the hill again. But, it
is not often a NATRC ride would have something as extreme as that. But,
always judge the footing, how steep the hill is, length etc., when you
determine the speed that would be the best, and safest for your
horse.
I remember riding in Griffith Park many, many years ago in
Los Angeles. The park has a lot of pleasure riders. I remember riding with
some friends, who did not do any competitive type of trail riding. As we
would approach a hill, their horses would start bouncing and fussing, tossing
their heads, like a barrel racing horse, about to be let loose to take off
and run the barrel pattern. As they hit the bottom of each hill, the horses
RAN to the top. This happened at ever hill, and the horses were in charge of
the riders for every assent.
So, teach your horses to go the pace YOU
want in all situations. Never allow them to do any speed YOU do not want them
to do. Some of the best schooling, is riding with folks who allow their
horses to be in charge, while YOU make yours do what YOU tell the horse to
do. If you can accomplish this, while other horses are being naughty,
you can handle about any situation that can be dished out at you on a ride
<grin>.
Jonni in TX, where we don't have many hills
<sigh>
