Working down hills

[Sarah1]

Hi

Can anyone tell me what benefits working down hills has for your horse?

I know working up hill is really useful but after this weekend I'm thinking down hill is just as useful!

Thanks

 

[Sauerkraut]

Yes to keep up with the field when out hunting

Gosh, I had to get used to trotting and cantering down hill! Never used to do it as I think it can't be good for their legs!? I might have been taught wrong but that's what they taught me growing up.

 

[catkin]

'What goes up must come down' - applies to hills too.....

Working downhill helps with balance and confidence, similar to working up hills.

If nothing else it's an early warning signal if your saddle needs re-fitting as any mis-fit shows up more downhill

 

[Sarah1]

I've never really done it much either and with my boy being quite slippy on his backend & the roads near us being like ice rinks it's never seemed like a sensible idea!
However, took the boys shoes off & had a lovely steady trot down a gentle hill at the weekend and he felt great! I think he must've found it hard work though so certainly wouldn't do much until he was fitter/more used to it.
I just wondered if there were any gymnastic/physical benefits?!

 

[debsey1]

Hellokitty

Under normal circumstances I wouldn't dream of trotting or cantering downhill but it seems anything goes when you're out hunting as I have learned!!

 

[Sarah1]

Working downhill helps with balance and confidence, similar to working up hills.

If nothing else it's an early warning signal if your saddle needs re-fitting as any mis-fit shows up more downhill

Balance of the horse or rider or both? I did wonder if he felt so nice & light because he'd had to adjust his balance and maybe take his weight back a bit more and not one slip which could have been the lack of shoes (tho always have road pins) or based on the answers to my ponderings could actually have been because he was actually pushing rather than pulling himself along?!
Also the saddle thing - is that because a poorly fitting saddle will slide forwards? I have wondered if the saddle fit is right but he felt better going down that hill than he has in a long while! Swinging the lead perhaps?!