Trial rides..............................................................

[friskyfilly14]

Hi guys
last week I went on my 1st trail ride!! Well anyway on the ride I had alot of trouble going downhill i dont no why though i was kidda scared too
Our world may not be perfect but once you step into the horse world its defenitly perfect!!!!!!

[lindz]

Know what you mean, downhill is horrid. It really put you off balance I suppose, especially down very steep bits when the horse sways from side to side to get down!

[majorhorselover]

if you feel uncomfortable goin down hill you sould try leaning back as far as you fell comfortable. and just make sure your wright is always centered. you can also hold onto the pommel.

[arab1]

When you are riding down an incline try and lean back so you are as paralell as possible with the incline. Make sure you give your horse his head so he can balance himself to.:)

[kedwards]

Also, when riding downhill, let your feet come out in front of you a bit more. If you try to keep them back where they would be on flat ground, it will throw your weight forward.

Excuse my ignorance, but what do you mean by trial ride? Do you mean you went on a hunter trial or that you were trying out a horse to buy?

[Equisgurl]

i think she meant trail ride(hack) not trial.
Trail riding is extremely fun, its a little tricky to balance when going down or uphill, my horse always canters really fast when we go uphill, since i lean forward.

[IrisSilverMoon]

hehe...i always feel a little uncomfortable going down especially steep hills, that thought that, omg what if the horse slips??!

basically you sort of have to put faith in your horse that he knows what he's doing and concentrate on keeping yourself in a steady position by leaning back and making sure your horse has enough rein that he feels safe going down the hill. Trust yourself and your horse...:)

[entreat]

I ride nothing but trails - it's the best!!

Our boys are kept in a valley, so flat riding is limited. so there's quite a few scary moments - both up and down hill!

Just remember to lean forward when going up hill, and lean back (with your legs forward) going down hill. This helps balance you, and the horse, by redistributing your weight.

Have fun, & happy trails!!
-Jenn

[kirrel]

Downhill can be tricky sometimes! I did a horse riding expedition in the Welsh brecon beacons a few years ago and was given a lovely little welsh to ride (not the prettiest or most confident of ponies but riding through pouring rain on a big big hillside for several days brings you close!). Before the actual expedition we rode for a few days around the surrounding hillsides and the way back was usually down an incredibly narrow and steep track, which was full of big stones etc (as in slabs of rock you have to walk over as opposed to around) with a river at the bottom - very slippy!!

It looked truly terrifying to ride down at first but the trick was to give the pony his head so he could look around him and find his own footing, (after all it would have been pointless trying to guide him round things I couldnt even see properly :rolleyes: ) but at the same time keep enough contact so that if some catastrophe struck there was at least a vague chance of saving the situation!

If you feel nervous, you should probably lean back to redistribute your sense of balance etc and then think positive! after all the pony has probably done it a few times before and knows what he/she is doing - oh and of course, have fun :D

[Ignis]

I totally agree about going downhill, i was so nervous that my horse would slip or trip and i would go over her head, but it gets easier the more hills you do down, just lean back slightly and trust the horse, they dont want to fall either!

[taffy]

Downhill bits are scary. There are dips in one of the turnout fields at my RS and my instructor sometimes takes us out there !!!

[Alex]

we do mountain trails at our yard, and I'm usually the one who takes people on them.

The mountain is quite steep uphill, then there's loads of flat, then steep downhill.

I remember the first time I went up there, just after I began lessons. I was assured that the horse had done the ride billions of times before and that he'd be fine, but I still remember saying to the lady taking the trail that I thought I was going to die! (oh gosh, how embarassing! lol :o :eek: ) I was petrified! lol

Looking back though, I didn't know to lean back while going downhill, and I really thought the horse was going to trip and fall.

Many mountain rides later, I've learned that leaning back and keeping your legs on and forward, and giving the horse her head so she can pick her way down, is the best way to do it - and now I love the mountain trail!

You can do it! :)

Love,
Alex