UP AND D0WN HILLS
Riding on hills is part of my daily program. Going up and down hill strengthens the entire musculature, promotes conditioning, and is good for the horse’s balance and steadiness.
This is my favorite as it gets horse and rider out of the arena and out on the trails! (fig-1).
(fig-1.) Asking the horse to work up hills encourages them to engage their hindquarters and step underneath themselves.
I am fortunate as I have some good hills right off the ranch. There are some good solid climbs and descents. I spent a whole summer marking my “conditioning trails”, and I graded them for difficulty. I know when a horse is ready for each specific climb. Remember about conditioning it takes time, so don’t rush it.
A warm-up is important. Don’t start a climb on a cold horse. A horse by nature and design will pull himself up a hill with his front legs. Drive him up the hill with your seat and both legs. Give him rein and ride him forward!!! (fig-2).
(fig-2) Work up a hill will increase your horse’s cardiovascular fitness.
The best way to climb is at a walk. You do not have to go straight up a hill, you can serpentine when needed. I prefer a long steady climb that builds as you go. Rest when needed. It is true that a good climb will help develop and muscle the hindquarters. But it is going down the hill that builds and conditions the horse’s back and loin. (fig-3).
(fig-3) When going down hill, the rider should sit very deep in the saddle with his weight placed evenly in both stirrups. Do not hold the rein so tight that it interferes with the movement of the front legs. You do not want to inhibit the horse’s forward movement. Maintain a light contact, but not so much that you cannot make any corrections quickly if needed.
To go down hill a horse should set his hind legs underneath himself and round his back. I keep the head centered for balance and drive the horse forward. Often if the hill is quite steep I will serpentine my way down. Do not let the horse’s hips drift to one side or the other. Keep his frame straight and in line with the direction you are going. A horse will move his hips to the side to evade having to round his back.
When going down hill, the rider should sit very deep in the saddle with his weight placed evenly in both stirrups. Do not hold the rein so tight that it interferes with the movement of the front legs. You do not want to inhibit the horse’s forward movement. Maintain a light contact, but not so much that you cannot make any corrections quickly if needed. (fig-4).
(fig-4) Down hill work requires a skilled rider, so be cautious and progress as you and your horse develop.
Down hill work requires a skilled rider, so be cautious and progress as you and your horse develop. Cooling the horse down afterwards is also important….I may go back to the arena and do bending and flexing or walk on a loose rein and relax.
