Hill work

[lizijj]

Trying to build up the strength/power in my lazy boys back end. Which gait is best for hill work to do this?

Thanks

 

[dappyness]

Bump.... Cause I'm also interested in this 😁

 

[rhino]

Depends on the surface. Work at all 3 paces on a good surface (grass/gallops) will help. For roadwork, I prefer a really purposeful walk, my horse certainly finds it 'easier' to trot up and walking makes him use his quarters properly

 

[flying solo]

I walk down hill and trot or canter up hill not sure that's the best way but it's what I do! X

 

[pip6]

A powerful walk into the hand really getting them working from behind to build muscle. Once muscled up, good in-hand canter to build aerobic capacity. Bear in mind heart rates, your horse has a faster heart rate in a fast trot than a slow canter.

 

[lizijj]

Thanks - my boy want to trot, canter, anything but walk up hill - I was hoping that making him walk with a purpose would help his back end better.

 

[cheeryplatypus]

I read that transitions uphill are better than maintaining one pace, that's what I plan to work on this spring.

 

[DosyMare]

A powerful walk into the hand really getting them working from behind to build muscle. Once muscled up, good in-hand canter to build aerobic capacity. Bear in mind heart rates, your horse has a faster heart rate in a fast trot than a slow canter.

This is what I have always been told. Transitions makes sense. But I also like to have a nice loose canter up hills but that's for fun not building up top line/ back end.

 

[moneypit1]

Walk. Your horse uses more muscles in walk than any other gait. It is harder work for your horse to walk than trot which is why most horses will try trotting up hills! Remember if the hill is particularly steep or long to allow him to stretch and do not insist on an outline for the whole climb but make the walk active. Trotting/cantering assist cardio vascular but good old walk for those muscles and outline!

 

[lizijj]

Thank you all, brilliant!

 

[spotty_pony]

Walking up steep hills is actually more beneficial for building up muscles than trotting or cantering up them as the horse has to work harder (which is why most of them prefer to trot/canter up hills!) Also, trotting/cantering down hills on grass is good for encouraging the horse to work from behind and to bring the back legs underneath him more.

Hope this helps