How do you ride down a slippery road?

Headpiece

Headpiece

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Just wondered what other people do?

Eg My old horse you would just sit quietly and let him sort it out, but my younger horse slips so much, even if its hardly any slope:rolleyes:, particuarly his hind legs slip under him.... i now ride him up into his bridle and push him along which is a little better...anything else i can do?
 
Take shoes off :)

Apart from that , just sit still and I'm sure his balance will improve in time. Does he have road nails?
 
Get him to shorten his stride if he's not figured that out himself? And if its a regular route, either shoes off or road nails.
 
He doesnt wear shoes, hes slipping in his barefeet:cool:,

(wears hoof boots on the fronts sometimes)

but we also have trouble with shod feet. The roads been resurfaced with that gravel on wet tarmac, it isnt particuarly slippery.
 
Our lanes are dreadful but a tungsten nail in each shoe has helped keep the horse upright. I also try to keep the 2 inside feet as near the verge/edge of the lane as possible by riding a little shoulder fore on the really nasty stretches, that does give a little traction !

As for thinking any Council will be bothered by a horse slipping up, forget it. They don't have the funds to run vital services let alone resurface roads for horse riders.
 
With feet out of the stirrups. I gained a broken foot and a stirrup bent to a right angle when a hind foot went from under us at walk on the flat. The foot mended but the stirrup iron didnt.
 
On the side, or where there is some grip.

On a loose rein so he can balance and look after himself and feet out of the stirrups.

There are schools of thought that it is better to get off and lead, pros and cons though, if the horse goes down it can take you with it, on the other hand - if the horse goes down you are already at ground level. Depends on the incline/the horse and how icy it is.
 
Headpiece said:
He doesnt wear shoes, hes slipping in his barefeet:cool:,

(wears hoof boots on the fronts sometimes)

but we also have trouble with shod feet. The roads been resurfaced with that gravel on wet tarmac, it isnt particuarly slippery.
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never had slipping when barefoot on roads, maybe he needs to build more muscle to balance. I know my TB too a long time to work out how to walk downhill, she just couldn't get the hang of it.
 
amandaco2 said:
I don't know if the lanes are slippy tbh as mine are unshod.
If its bad maybe complain to the council as it could be dangerous?
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Councils won't do anything. The new type of tarmac is better for car tyres and their grip I think...

My youngster used to slip a lot, he was often just not paying attention, so you had to "click him out" of whatever he was gazing at and make him concentrate. Let him take his time, but make him pick his feet up too. We live in a very hilly area, and there were some rides that I just wouldn't take him on when he was young!

I prefer to stay on with my feet out of the stirrups rather than have one fall on me, but mine are huge towering hunter types, and the big one dislocated my shoulder and left a hoofprint that is still there 3yrs later when he fell on me in the stable (tantruming). If I had a pony or something more "level" with me, rather than "above" me I may lead.

I also try to stay at the edge of the road, my theory is, if the horse loses is grip, its hooves may hit the kerb/wall and stop the slip. Middle of the road is less slippery, but if the legs go, they could end up kind of doing the splits!
 
Can you traverse at a zig-zag? I have a similar problem with my cob and find he's better walking across/down than directly downwards. I'm hoping his is just a lack of balance rather than something iffy in his back end. He's certainly keen and swift enough on the flat!!!
 
Enfys said:
On the side, or where there is some grip.

On a loose rein so he can balance and look after himself and feet out of the stirrups.

There are schools of thought that it is better to get off and lead, pros and cons though, if the horse goes down it can take you with it, on the other hand - if the horse goes down you are already at ground level. Depends on the incline/the horse and how icy it is.
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If its icy I wouldn't go out at all.
 
Wiz201 said:
If its icy I wouldn't go out at all.
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That would be the most sensible course of action of course :)

I presumed the OP was talking about patches of ice in sheltered spots rather than a big freeze.

I find that horses that live out, or have done so at some stage in their existence, through winter are much more surefooted and sensible about looking after themselves, if they are permitted to.

As for getting off and leading there were a couple of hills in Wales where I would always walk regardless of the weather, they were so steep I didn't think it fair for the horse to carry me as well.
 
I let my horse pick his own path and try to interfere as little as possible. Keep a steady, relaxed rein contact but that is about all. A younger horse will be less in control of his own balance. I would say with correct schooling and muscle build up, he will probably become more sure-footed on his own.

My farrier has also recently put very small studs in his shoes, one in each. They are barely even noticeable, but make a very big difference in his grip on tarmac. I know you said he is unshod, but if you ever have shoes again in the future, ask your farrier! :)

Hope this helps, x.
 
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