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Discussion on Just One Naughty Habit on Trails!
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Posted on Saturday, Oct 14, 2000 - 8:55 pm:
I've started takling my 5-year-old Haflinger on trails this year, and he's doing well. He's not spooky, he's sure-footed, he gets along with other horses, and he even does reasonably OK over creeks and other difficult crossings.
But he does have one bad habit that concerns me. When we are going downhill, he doesn't exactly rush, but sometimes he tucks his head down, gives an angry little grunt, takes a few quick steps, and bucks. So far it only happens on the downhill. I try to ease off his mouth and balance myself over his center of gravity, so I'm not sure what's bothering him. He otherwise seems comfortable and happy, and his saddle (an English all-purpose; no crupper) fits well.
Any ideas what the problem might be? Thanks!
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Posted on Saturday, Oct 14, 2000 - 11:36 pm:
are you sure the saddle fits well? I had a young horse who did the same thing. She was fine in the arena and on the flat but she hated going down hill. After she was fit with a new saddle the behavior disappeared.
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Posted on Sunday, Oct 15, 2000 - 1:31 pm:
I would recommend that you check your horse's back for soreness, particularly in the loin area and in the shoulders. In the unlikely event that you don't know how to do this, just press along either side of the spine (medium pressure) with your fingers to check the back. To check the loin, use the flat of your hand and medium pressure. To check the shoulders, run your hands over the shoulders first to check for any lumps, swellings, etc; then press with your finger tips behind the shoulder blade, starting at the top, and working down to where the saddle tree ends.
What I notice--although western saddles are much worse--is that many saddles are too long for the shorter backed horses. Saddle trees are supposed to fit from about 1 to 2 inches behind the rear of the scapula to the last true rib.
If you're leaning back a little going downhill (keeping your weight vertical) you can be putting excess weight on the loin IF your saddle is too long and/or bridges.
Been there, done that.
Hope you're able to determine the cause of this behavior--it isn't unique, and in my limited experience, is often caused by saddles that aren't quite right.
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Posted on Sunday, Oct 15, 2000 - 7:58 pm:
Mary and Eveo, thanks for pointing me in the direction of a good saddle fitter. I have access to a very reliable one, and I've put in a call. Especially with a younger horse who's just starting to muscle up, it makes plenty of sense. Thanks!
Laurie
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Posted on Monday, Oct 16, 2000 - 8:45 am:
It does sound like something is changing on the downhill slopes that your Haflinger is objecting to. I too think a good tack review is in order. Just last week I was called to look at a horse that was back sore and developing a galled area and deep in the leather of the saddle a nail head had worked up but to find it you had to push down hard on the leather pad. If he hadn't started galling there I doubt we would have found it as even a thorough viusal inspection did not reveal the defect. Also review what you are doing with your weight, reins, and leg positon.
DrO
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Posted on Monday, Oct 16, 2000 - 12:03 pm:
Just another thought -- and the saddle concern is something to definitely look into.
My first thought, however, was that if you are just starting to ride this horse out, which is what I gathered from your first post, it takes young inexperienced horses some time to get used to the sensation of traveling downhill. My youngsters are worked on level (ring work, etc.) and then when I start riding them out, going up and down hills is a completely new experience. They seem to adapt to uphill travel quite easily, but there's something about compensating for the weight they're carrying and gathering themselves for that downward travel that some (not all) find difficult. They really need to get their hindend underneath themselves to allow for the downhill, and for some this is the first time they've really needed to do this, and coupled with the rider's weight, it is difficult for some to manage at first.
If your horse has not taken a lot of downhills, you may just need to do a lot of downhill travel to allow him to get used to using his body in that way. I try to work mine on gradual downhill inclines so I don't get into a situation which would be dangerous with a youngster (I've actually seen horses not experienced in traveling downhill panic and get themselves into a lot of trouble--just because they didn't really know how to handle the hill). If this is your horse's situation, the more he uses his hindend and gets used to the sensation of moving down, the better he'll become. I try to work my youngsters on gradual downhill inclines in the beginning and that helps me control any problems and teaches them gradually how to get under themselves, etc. Of course, I live in So. CA, and we don't have a lot of flat trail riding area, and must often ride down (steep) inclines. Just a thought--not sure how much it would apply in your case. Good luck. 
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Posted on Monday, Oct 16, 2000 - 4:57 pm:
I had the same thought as Brenda, assuming that tack problems are ruled out. My 14 y/o Appendix QH mare had never been trail ridden before I got her, and had to be encouraged to engage her hindquarters when going downhill. Her first strategy was to sidle down sideways in order to avoid the "freight train" sensation. As I do in the ring, I used frequent half-halts (including one at the top of the hill) and a firm but elastic contact to encourage her to shift her weight backwards and use her hocks. Once she figured out that she could use her body that way, she started doing it on her own. It's possible that easing off his mouth is giving your youngster the sensation that he's got nothing to balance against as the hill shifts his weight forward and down. He may just need you to support the best posture for this new situation.
On the tack issue, do you use a breastplate to keep the saddle from sliding back on the uphill?
Lisa
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Posted on Monday, Oct 16, 2000 - 7:08 pm:
Thanks, folks, for all the good advice. I think a combination of having the saddle evaluated and practicing on slopes may do the trick.
Laurie
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