I need some help from you TWH owners out there.  My walker is a great horse on the trail, but really isn't co-ordinated going over logs when he's in a gait.  We gotta "stop" and he then steps over.  (geesh)  I can live with that i guess, but my problem is when we come upon a steep incline he baulks. He attempts to go side to side but gives up. My husbands horse goes down with no problem. (qtr.ab)

Two years ago he fell in the pasture and injured his stifle. Vet was called in, ultrasounded etc., had a year off.  Vet re-sonogramed him and all is well.  Tear was healed.  He's not lame.

We rode fine last year but didn't attempt any steep inclines because of his injury.  What are your opinion's on this incline issue. He goes up these hills fine.  Maybe it's just in-experience?   (he was 4 when I purchased him and is now 7, and didn't have much trail riding exposure)  I also read somewhere that TWH have weak stifles. With that, how do you strengthen them other than going up hills, because I gotta come "down" that hill on the other side, (usually).

Thanks

Don't know that I'm the right person to advise you, but I see nobody else responded.  My very first thought was inexperience.  I also wondered if he had had a bad experience directly related to going down.  It'd be nice if you could pasture him at my place!  He'd have lots of experience soon enough since we have some very steep hills in the large pasture! I haven't any knowledge of TWH stifle weakness.

Elaine

I believe that you are both right.  My horse's inexperience and my hesitation in going down steep hills could be the problem.  I personally don't like going down the really steep hills which I'm sure my horse picks up on.  I don't think this horse had a bad experience about this issue because he was 4 when I got him and was just put under saddle.  Where he was born and raised at, the area was mostly flat with just a few very very small hills.  

The more I think about this , the more I think it's me rather than the horse.  I had a bad fall off of one of my other horses a few years back. I was on a very narrow steep trail. An inexperienced rider came from behind, too close for comfort which caused my horse to turn quickly, but in the wrong direction, I went head over heels down a cliff..........luckily a log stopped me from going to the bottom......hmmmmm.

I need to do some re-thinking.......

I've never had an accident going down a steep hill, but I too am apprehensive when I'm faced with one.  Do you ride with someone who would trade you horses for an afternoon or something.  You ride a conficent horse and your friend (who is confident) can ride your horse?  Just a thought.

Elaine

I wish life were that simple for me.  My husband is in the process of training our youngest horse.  She is also learning to manuver down steep hills......

My husband also suggested that he should be riding my horse down these steep hills .......... I just look at him and say,,,,"Oh yeah right, I'll just ride the one that's in training......while you work on mine"  we just laugh.  ( I actually feel safer on mine,hehe) 

We're going camping this weekend with my horse and our youngest that's in training.  This should be a Kodak moment for sure................

 Can you stay in a less hilly terrain for this early ride?  Just a thought.  There is time later for more difficult trails.

Elaine

Well, were going to have to go down the steep inclines as best we can. This area is mostly up or down and some leveling off here and there, so there aren't many options available.

This is suppose to be a relaxing weekend, but we will make this a training event too.  It's the only chance we get to train for this type of trail riding.  Our horses are really great on trails,but the steep inclines are a challange because the trails here in Maryland are mostly "hilly" (well at least where we live) rather than steep. This weekend we will be camping in PA. and the terrain there is alot different.  So, it will be a training weekend for sure.