Minces downhill

[lemmethink]

My horse minces very carefully down hill. Any ideas why?

[Kaliska]

So does mine! I opened this hoping you had the answer as to why!

I feel that with mine, it's because he is older, so he's more stiff on his hinds so he takes it carefully, but sometimes he goes down hills on a slight angle, so he's on three tracks if you see what you mean?

Be very interested to hear other peoples views!

[Snipper]

My older horse has slowed up a bit when it comes to going downhill and likes to go on a bit of an angle, too. He has started to get stiff in his hocks which has made him sore in his back, and he is definitely worse going downhill when he's feeling less comfortable. Maybe it would be worth getting them checked over, just to make sure there isn't any stiffness or soreness lurking anywhere?

[dominochase]

It sounds like it would definitely be a good idea to have him checked out. Could it also be a result of an experience slipping downhill?

[horse_girl]

A handy way to teach travers/renvers/shoulder in?!?!??!!

[mja]

My mare was doing that and we found out she has arthritic knees so was trying to keep the weight off her front legs and not to slip.

She is okay now thankfully but still likes to take her time downhill and I make sure I sit back and keep my weight off her and am ready to hold her up if she des slip.

Could of course not be this and just how she likes to walk donwhill!!xx

[Dingbat]

I think you'll know if there's a real problem with your horse - but otherwise, I think horses are just like us. I get nervous going down steep hills at any speed - yet some fell runners bolt down without a care in the world!