slopes and your replies...

KIMBERLY PRICE (PLOUGH1@ix.netcom.com)
Thu, 31 Oct 1996 12:53:44 -0800

Hey thanks for all the replies to slopes and going up or down at what
speed. It created quite an interesting discussion with many very good
points. I found it interesting that someone commented no muscles are
built up by going downhill. Is this also a general agreement?

I do ride Mystery at a walk down steep hills unless they are extremely
steep and rocky. I do try and collect him as we go down. He's also
been trained to respect my space and not run all over me but I have to
agree if he stumbles or falls it would be an accident and I am risking
injury if I were in front of him.

In the beginning Mystery was clumsy, slow and insecure about being
ridden downhill at all. I do lean back and try to stay loose to
balance with the horse. As time progressed and he's practiced more,
his confidence and ability improved.

We do trot down very gradual slopes with good footing at this point.

This works for us thus far, I was curious about what others do and feel
and now I know!

Thanks again!
Kimberly (&Mystery the Very Fuzzy Morab)
Petaluma, CA