Re: Pulling up hills?

["Karen Sullivan" <greymare@jps.net>]

Well......God knows some 5 year olds are carrying riders on 50mile rides,
but I still think 5 is
pretty young for an Arab............just keep doing what you are doing!  Try
half halts on moderate up and down.........back slightly then go
forward....sounds like your horse is doing great and give him more time!

Karen

> I've noticed lately that Zephyr (5yr Arab not gaited) seems to be pulling
> himself up hills more than pushing. I think it's just that he is young,
> inexperienced and hasn't learned to engage th "other end" yet. > We ride
LOTS of hills walk, trot and canter up, walk down. I ride in an
> ORTHO-FLEX that fits him beautifully and he's never had any problems (back
> or otherwise). I post up mild/moderate grades, use a half seat on steeper
> ones and try to keep my weight balanced over his center or SLIGHTLY back.
My
> thinking here was that if he had more weight on the hind end he would have
> to engage it???
>
> What can anyone suggest to encourage him to get in gear behind? I would
> appreciate any advice.
> Thanks, Nicole
>
>
>
> =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
> Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
> Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/RideCamp
> =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
>
>