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Re: [RC] getting the horse fit - Tiffany D'Virgilioon 2/4/03 7:30 AM, Barbara McCrary at bigcreekranch@xxxxxxxxxx wrote: Melanie, I'm conditioning a 6 1/2 year old Arab right now. He was a virtual flat-lander in his previous home. Young horses have trouble coming downhill, because it takes a lot of strength in the hindquarters to make a smooth and relaxed descent. It takes months, perhaps years if the horse is started on the trail at, say, 4 years old. As I remember from trail training several young Arabs over the years that a horse is nearly 7 before he is a GOOD downhill horse (unless, I suppose, he was raised on hills). And be sure to check things like saddle pressure on the shoulders or girth pinching behind the elbow. << Stupid question, but how steep of hills are we talking and at what gait? When the hill gets how steep do most people slow down and walk? Or get off and walk? We are in the foothills and I went out and did all hill work yesterday. I noticed that I did mostly extended trot on gradual down hills especially in decomposed granite. On moderate downhills, I either walked or got off and jogged beside the horse. It's nice to be able to jog with my arm around her neck-we both like that feeling of being on the same page. Anyway, just wondering what most people do. Thanks, Tiffany =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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