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HorseAdvice.com » Training, Behavior, & Conditioning Horses » Behavioral Problems » Resistance to Stopping: Whoa Problems » |
Discussion on Going Downhill.... | |
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Posted on Monday, Sep 4, 2000 - 1:15 am: Hi all,I took my Arab on a 2 1/2 hour trail ride. Over all he did very well. He only got away with me a couple of times, which I was able to get him under control within a short time. (Unless I'm constantly saying "EASY" in a calm, quiet tone, he likes to canter off. I need a tape recorder so I can carry on a conversation with someone other than my horse!) Anyhow, the problem I had was with going downhill. There was one rather steep, rocky area that I had no control over him with. Instead of taking it with slow, careful steps, he bolted down the hill. His buddy went first and was already at the bottom. Any suggestions on how to avoid this in the future? Being a novice rider, it was quite a heartstopper for me, although my companions were amazed that I was able to stay on (I think I was more surprised than they were)! My husband seems to think that the problem wasn't with my riding, but the horse. I'm just glad I got off my horse in the same condition that I got on, ha, ha. Please keep in mind, this horse was ridden on trails extensively by a previous owner. I don't know if this horse was ridden in rocky, hilly areas like the one I ride in. He does well on gradual slopes and on flat trails. Thanks for listening. |
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Posted on Monday, Sep 4, 2000 - 9:09 am: Hi Tammy,This sounds like a balance issue. Horses tend to speed up in order to maintain their balance, and if you're a novice rider and your horse is not accustomed to such terrain, that's going to be his normal approach. If you watch wild horses going down steep, rocky hills, even they seldom walk--they just blast right down. More (gradual) exposure to that type of hill--for both of you--should solve the problem, as you'll both develop more balance and confidence. Glad you weren't hurt! :-) ~Amy |
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Posted on Tuesday, Sep 5, 2000 - 9:16 am: Thanks for the reply, Amy. After the ride, I thought I should have went back up the hill, and try to go back down. At the time, I was so glad I made it down unscathed that I really didn't think about it. I think you are right that more exposure should help the problem. |
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Posted on Saturday, Dec 8, 2001 - 2:49 am: Hi there. I have a young horse that does the same thing. Are you saying we should let them do what comes natural and let them trot down a hill if they choose or should we make them learn to walk slowly?I've received different opinions on this. What is yours? |
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Posted on Monday, Dec 10, 2001 - 7:59 pm: My Guy (now 8 yrs) rushed down hills when he was green. My theory was that he felt unbalanced with me on his back because he did not do this while leading. I taught him to go slow, one step at a time at first just to get the point across. I think he appreciated it. Its kinda like a horse that hurries over rocky areas because they dont know how to go slow. Once they are shown how to go slow they worry less. |
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Posted on Tuesday, Dec 11, 2001 - 11:03 am: Hi,A little update regarding my horse rushing down hills. We are doing very well. When we do go down hills, he takes it very slowly. I believe it had to do with me be very inexperienced at the time. At the times I've taken him out, or even riding in my backyard that has slopes, he is very careful and slow. I believe leading down hills in an exagerrated slow pace also helped. I've also taken him off the trail up and down hills, and he had to concentrate on where his feet were, so he was careful. Just thought you may like to know where we are now. Thanks for all of your replys. |
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