Re: RC: Up Hill or Down

[CMKSAGEHIL@aol.com]

In a message dated 1/9/00 4:51:50 PM Pacific Standard Time, 
truman.prevatt@netsrq.com writes:

<< But with the front end lower than the hind end, the center of gravity is
 actually thrown forward which puts more stress on the front legs. >>

As long as the horse is substantially more level than the hill, then the rear 
end is further under the horse and supporting more of the weight.  Take a 
springy piece of steel with a curve in it, set it up like a "C", and put some 
weight on the top part--the lower part can support it as long as it "reaches" 
underneath far enough, and you don't need a "front" leg on it to support the 
open upper part of the "C".  The further underneath the horse the rear legs 
reach, the more of the weight they take, regardless of the slope of the 
ground.  

Furthermore, horses that are GOOD at going downhill DO achieve level on all 
but the steepest of hills.

Heidi


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