Advice on Rushing Down Hills Please

sjp1

sjp1

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I have a fairly forward going horse who is 6. I have finally sorted his bitting issue out and found one he is happy with. I have a real problem though with him going down hills. He is clearly on the forehand and so rushes down which is a fair enough deal. Previously with the Myler bit I had, if I tried to check him to get his weight back he would just shake his head and plough on. On Saturday we came down a steep track in the woods and he bucked. This I know is because I was holding him up too tightly, so Sunday I started practicing halting going down hills on the road. Initially he said he couldn't, but eventually started to. I am also in the process of teaching him back up in order to try and get his weight under him. Any other ideas??
 
If its just to help him get off the forehand what about using a pessoa/two lunge lines and working, pole work and i know a lot of people hate them but if only used occasionally and you have still hands i think they are amazing to really reinforce what you are teaching draw reins? Probably loads of other suggestions but thats what I would do :)
 
Your idea to walk/halt/walk/halt was the first thing that came to mind for me too.
How about starting with less of an incline and building his confidence, balance and strangth from there. Six is still very young.
 
I'd try asking for a half-halt, rather than halt, just to help him rebalance. I have also found that really putting your weight into the stirrups (on the ball of your feet) helps them to go down hill in a more controlled way. Of course you will need to continue with your schooling work to encourage him to work from behind.
 
Could you do some in hand hill work first and then do some under saddle? Also reversing them backwards up a hill is a good exercise, again begin in hand then do under saddle.
 
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