correct way to ride downhill?

kusha

kusha

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Feb 17, 2008
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I have been reading a book that I was given by a friend called 'The Principles of Riding' (in an effort to improve myself :rolleyes:). It is an english translation of the official instruction handbook of the german national equestrian association.

It has made good reading and very clearly explains lots of things.

However, I was confused by the following page. I always thought that when you went downhill on a horse you leaned back (although I know things have changed since I returned to riding during a 20+ year break).

Can anyone tell me what is correct? The second illustration has a faint cross through it, presumably to indicate that leaning back is wrong. Thanks

IMG_8062.jpg
 
I love that book!

I was taught to lean forward to release the horses quarters both up and down hill but have subsequently been told off for doing this. Probably because I did it for years but I still feel safer leaning forward (although not allowing weight to go on forehand..think balanced jumping position)
 
Lesson reply

Hi,
I have always lent back when I go down hill on a horse,
as I thought this was easier for the horse and correct way
to do it. Am I doing it wrong then
 
I have always been told to lean back when going down hill and still do it, when xc jumping and everything. But unlike picture number 2, give the horse its head and dont pull on the reins as bad as that man is doing!
 
I think I stay pretty straight walking down inclines ... I think I lean back a little, but then there's a lot of Lucy and not much of me so I probably don't bother her much either way!

Coming down serious banks, I do lean back and leave the horse's head well alone so they can work it out (either shuffled down on the hocks or make a giant leap) ... we only rarely encounter such banks in the down, though, so it's not something we get a lot of practise at.
 
I was always taught to lean back when going downhill, the steeper the hill the more you lean back :confused::confused: Don't tell me it's changed now - I really can't be coping with changing my 'style' of riding at this time in my life :o
 
I always lean back when going downhill,I thought it made it somewhat easier for the horse?? Plus I feel safer TBH,if the horse was to trip or stumble and I was leaning foreward would probably end up in a heap on the floor:o
 
Kate&TheHerd said:
I have always been told to lean back when going down hill and still do it, when xc jumping and everything. But unlike picture number 2, give the horse its head and dont pull on the reins as bad as that man is doing!
Click to expand...

Same :)

I lean my body back, but either slacken my reins or leave my hands where they were - so just straighten my elbows more. I'm talking about a decent hill though, on a gentle hill I'd probably just remain upright, giving a little extra rein depending on terrain.

I know I'd feel dreadful I had to lean forwards going downhill. It wouldn't take much more than a stumble to knock me onto his shoulder!
 
I don't lean back as such....more keep my body parallel to the...er...sky?! Which consequently makes me 'lean back' slightly.

Generally it's a heels slammed down defensive position - I hate going downhill, especially if the horse insists on going at Kamikazi speed!
 
I hate going downhill too. The best way described to me was to try to keep my upper body at roughly the same angle to the horse as on the flat, while really allowing my weight to come down through my thighs. Of course, on the flat, I don't keep my shoulders up and back enough - but you may be sure I do when going downhill!!!
 
I've always been told lean back, in many different establishments, and with slacker reins. If i tried leaning forwards as in the first picture I would be eating dirt by that point!
 
i've been told to lean back very slightly, in that picture his reins are very tight so he will be pulling on the horse and he is leaning back A LOT more than i do so he will be pressuring the back
 
Thanks for replies. Looks like I should continue to lean back slightly. ;)

EML - the book was published in 1985 which doesn't seem that long ago, but suppose it is!! :rolleyes:
 
i'v always been taught (and have taught others since :o) that at all times you would want to be balanced on the floor if someone was to take your horse from you, so if you're going downhill - by leaning back slightly you're keeping your weight and centre of gravity where you want it, so you'd be stood upright if the horse were to disappear.
same with uphill, by leaning forwards slightly you keep your centre of gravity where it should be to keep you standing, and in theory a jumping position should be the same (although i know mine isnt :o) if the horse were to disappear you should land balanced on the floor.

I think the leaning back thing has been exaggerated, so you get people now leaning so far backwards that if the horse were to disappear you'd fall over backwards!

But i guess this is where the 'lean further back the steeper the hill' thing came from, as in theory to keep your CofG central you'd need to lean back slightly, but i've seen people almost leaning on their horses bum down a slight slope, which surely would unbalance them as much as leaning right forwards would :confused::confused:

Tbh, i think so long as the horse isnt on the forehand, and you're not restricting its movement and you're both balanced it doesnt really matter :o
 
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