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Post by solomon on Oct 17, 2009 21:30:38 GMT
Hi we got home in one piece today too, but only just! Having a lovely hack renewing my confidence after dodgy tractor incident yesterday. We were on the common, had a lovely controlled canter thought all was well... Tried to have another canter, flat out gallop no control wind up their tails off! It was okay until we started going downhill the other side, one of my phobias. Not sure how we stayed on, managed to stop, or even how we carried on afterwards but we did. Horses are dangerous aren't they? I still love'em though!
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Post by fleabitten on Oct 18, 2009 9:56:16 GMT
OMG!!! that is one of my phobias too. I even get a little nervous walking down a hill as im afraid of them running away with me. It makes you realise that they are animals and it is a risky thing riding them! But we still do it! We must be mental. lol!
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Post by scattymare on Oct 18, 2009 17:20:11 GMT
I hat going downhill. Out today we went over a really steep hill and P was trying to jog as we were facing home. I always worry they'll slip. Glad you got back in one piece.
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Post by fimacg on Oct 19, 2009 7:56:52 GMT
I have to admit until yesterday I also hated it but the hunt has cured that fear...
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Post by racaille on Oct 19, 2009 9:29:01 GMT
I do try to avoid galloping downhill but like Fi, sometimes you just have to .....
Did a huge one during the Chevauchée and really didn't feel comfortable - quite apart from the different position in (out of) the saddle. But P wasn't in any mood to be overtaken, R had beggared off in front and we just went for it.
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Post by brigadier on Oct 19, 2009 10:53:49 GMT
I think until you push past the natural inclination not to canter/gallop downhill it seems a scary thing but once youve done it a few times its fine. the trick is to ensure you and they are balanced, its terribly hair-raising if its a bolt as they get quicker and quicker and its hard then to get some brakes!
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Post by duckles on Oct 19, 2009 13:57:47 GMT
I'm impressed by all you blase downhill gallopers!! I have so many terrifying experiences of this over the years that it is still not something I like. I also find that some horses are so much better going downhill (at speed) than others- a question of better balace I suppose.
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Post by mossh on Oct 19, 2009 14:44:18 GMT
My mare bolted up a steep bank once, only about 10 foot high but near enough vertical....
I somehow had to get down!
We somehow walked down the first few feet down, very carefully and slowly and about 3 foot from the bottom the silly mare jumped!
We were both okay but after that, I hate going down steep hills, especially hacking or on the road, I always think they are going to slip too
but XC is okay, but I think its because I know the ground is looked after well!
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jane
Novice Willy Washer
Posts: 954
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Post by jane on Oct 27, 2009 22:00:47 GMT
I agree with Duckles that some horses gallop better downhill than others. Old Rockefeller and another horse Tornedo used to go down hills at breakneck speed yet it felt fine and not at all scarey, some of the others back then were not quite so smooth. Deb's doesn't seem quite so sure footed galloping downhill, then again I am getting older so perhaps self preservation is also setting in... at last..
We used to round the sheep up with the horses on the mountain and of course sheep go everywhere so some places we went meant the horses actually slid down on their bottoms it was that steep, they used to get really excited though and there was no stopping them, no time to get off and walk. Rockefeller used to stamp and snort at sheep that didn't move quick enough and he loved to give them a head start down the lanes then go like hell to chase them to whatever field they were going to.......
As a child my Dad made me ride up and down steep banks to get me used to it and it did set me in good stead for the sheep rounding and of course for Deb's climbing episode.
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for so much hard work we thank ye!!
