Riding Your Horse on Hills

Ready to ride out of the arena and on a trail with sloping hills or dramatic angles? Youll need to know how to position yourself for optimum balanceand how to keep your horse calm and thinking about his every step. Follow these tips for safely riding your horse up and down hills.
Photo by Heidi Nyland Melocco
When traveling uphill or downhill youll keep your posture in the same position as if you were hiking up or down. You want to be parallel to the trees. If you lean too far back or forward you can change your horses center of balance and make it harder for him to carry you.

Youll also need to think about your horses needs. If your horse is worried about the change in terrain its best to ride with someone you trust in front of you and behind you so that your horse will feel confident and know he cant turn back.
Here 14yearold Colter Ralston riding a buckskin and 16yearold Parker Ralston on the palomino show how they ride up and down the steep terrain on their Colorado ranch. Their dad Aaron Ralston helps coach the brothers for ranch riding and cowwork events.
Riding Your Horse Down Hills
Think about your horse before you head down a steep slope. If he is young or inexperienced its best to have an experienced horse and rider lead the way. The experienced horse will help pick the best route and show the other horses where to go and how to travel.
Teach your horse hills with a more experienced horse in front. They will pick the best way and show a green horse how to travel. Keep at least one horse length between riders. Photo by Heidi Nyland Melocco
You may also want to ask a third rider to ride behind an inexperienced horse to block the way if your horse would rather turn back. If a worried horse only has a horse behind him he may choose to return to his buddy instead of continuing the downward trek.
When youre riding down allow your horse to pick his path and maneuver carefully as long as he is being patient and trustworthy. If your horse is nervous you may need to steer him toward the safest path or in the direction that the lead horse chose.
Move your reining hand down to your horses neck to allow him to see where hes going. Make sure you