Yesterday I took my horse up a steep hill and then he fell on me down the hill do u think he'll still trust me

Question

Both of us have no injuries, he's gates are okay And I'm fine

um.. I dont use a saddle on him, I ride bare back

Answer 1

So you rode a horse up a steep hill while riding bareback.
It sounds to me like you started to slide off and yanked or held on to the reins to try to stay on. Meanwhile he reacted to the pull and came up off of his front feet and then fell over backwards.
I wouldn't trust you in this situation if I were him.
Here's a little tip, next time don't go straight up a steep hill while riding bareback.

Answer 2

He'll still trust you but take it slow now feed him and comb him off a week or so don't ride him take it very slow start putting the saddle on and walking on the ground around through creeks and hills before you get on him you need to show him take you can walk over the steep hill where you feel go to that place have a friend hold the horse while you walk up the steep hill show your horse it okay and then lead your horse up the hill he wouldn't fall again if you aren't on him going up i would get a lung rope and you at the top pull the horse up from the bottom where our friend is to see that is is okay then take him home the NEXT day ride him them after a week take him back to that spot and go around the hill to the top and look down then go down and back up if you don't show him it's okay he will be afraid of any steep hill you try to go up

Answer 3

I don't think your horse will distrust YOU. Its likely that your horse fell due to a stumble, or from stepping down unevenly while climbing the hill. If this was anyone's fault, it was most likely that of your horse. This isn't saying there is anything wrong with him/her or that he/she is clumsy. Everyone stumbles. He may have absolutely no fear, but if he does, then he is likely to be afraid of hills, seeing as they are what caused the trauma.

If this is the case, I suggest trying to coax him gently up/down small hills, then graduate to bigger ones. When he seems comfortable with the smaller hills, I would try riding him up/down the hill he fell on, or something similar. If he won't go up the hill with a rider on his back, I would attempt to try and lead him up/down it a few times as a horse tends to be more willing to follow a confident leader on foot when faced with something scary. It lets them see that the leader is not getting hurt in the scary place, and they shouldn't either.

A word of CAUTION!: It is very unsafe to ride a horse directly up a very steep hill in a straight line. Try to ride up at an angle, or zig zag up the hill. This reduces the risk of the horse falling, particularly end over end, which could mean serious injury to you and to your horse. Over time, a horse can easily learn to run straight up a steep hill, as do many endurance horses, etc. But, this takes time building the muscles and conditioning the body to be able to climb efficiently. Doing it all at once is dangerous when talking about the sort of steep terrain I am picturing. Trying to WALK straight up a very steep hill is almost always a bad idea as the horse may not get enough momentum, and weaker horses will have a hard time making it. Always lean forward onto the horses neck when moving uphill. It helps his momentum greatly.

As for riding DOWN a steep hill, always remember to lean back. The steeper the grade, the farther back you should lean. This takes weight off the horses forehand, which he will be using to try and pick his way carefully down. It will also shift his overall balance towards his rear, helping prevent him from stumbling with his front legs. Go SLOW downhill, and if its extremely steep remember that riding down at an angle or zig zag is still safest.

He may also be afraid of anything else that is physically awkward with a risk of falling (jumping, crossing water, etc.) In these events use the same coaxing techniques. Never push a horse past his comfort zone. Instruct him to the point where he seems to start getting anxious, hold him there a moment if you can and let him back off and think. You'll get progressively closer to your goal and your horse will love you for not being overly aggressive. Theres a balance between aggression and gentleness. Too much of either can be bad.

Answer 4

Basically, going downhill on a horse is dangerous. I sometimes, if the hill is steep, will get off my mare and walk her down. Work with your horse in the arena, on a lounge line, and then step away about 10 feet, and see if he'll come to you.

Theres something strange with horses, it's almost like they only trust that certain person the most, and to others they need to build it. Walk him down hills by hand, until you both know you can trust each other. He may be spooky going near that hill now, since he fell.

When you're going down a hill, lean back, the steeper it is, the more you should lean back. When going uphill, lean forward, onto his neck. You and your horse should practice this, until you've got it down packed. My horse is still a bit slow going down hills, but better to be safe then sorry.

Glad your both okay =)

Answer 5

As long as you're fine and he's fine, everything should be hunky-dory. He might be wary of going down that hill again, but take it nice and easy and you'll be all right. Everyone has falls now and then, and even though having your horse actually fall on you isn't a good experience, it could have been worse. If you're going to be doing a lot of trail riding though, I strongly advise riding in a saddle, and if you don't ride with a helmet, please get one.

Answer 6

It sounds like your horse is not used to riding hills - ie. not conditioned for that type of riding. What I would do with my horse is ride lots of not-too-steep hills, in a walk, going very slowly up and then zig-zagging down slowly to build up the muscle. Zig-zagging seems to help my horse get down the hill without a) falling/tripping or b) going too fast.

Answer 7

It is A LOT harder for horses to go down hill than up hill. You must help the horse (all the time but especially down hill) by keeping in balance with the horse. Make sure your saddle fits well - have an expert fit it. Then, make sure your horse's feet are in very good condition. A trim is necessary every 6 weeks, and shoes are necessary if your horse has thin soles, soft feet or just gets 'gimpy' from hard ground.
You are VERY lucky you weren't hurt. Having a horse really fall on you during a ride usually results in a broken pelvis for the rider. I'd give your horse a day or two off, do some handwalking or turn-out and rub him/her with linament - just to make sure he/she isn't sore. Look for cuts on the knees especially. Make sure the horse's gaits are even and balanced (not reaching more w/ one foot or another - particularly the back legs.)
Then, next time you ride, be sure to focus on staying in balance with your horse. I have been riding since I was about 3 by myself. I started breaking horses at age 11. I started actually taking lessons at 29. My trainer has me work on balance all the time. Riding with no stirrups. Riding all gaits standing up and balanced in the stirrups. Riding bareback - no reins on a lunge line. Good luck and be careful. You are very lucky to not be seriously hurt.

Answer 8

We had a horse that did that. She was just being a pain in the butt. When ever you'd try to make her go up a steep hill she didnt want to go up, she'd go part way and then fall on ya. So maybe its an attitude thing

Answer 9

hi, yes horses will forgive when treated with kindness the trust want be broken- but u mite have to some training to get him to go up steep hills-u don't want to hurt either one of u.... I have a Tennessee walker mare and she refuses to cross the little bridge down the road,trying to work with her on that one lol i am to old to take a fall.... have fun riding !!

Answer 10

While I agree with some of the replies you have received, i disagree with one thing. When you are ascending or descending hills, you want to try to stay in the middle of the saddle/horse with your body. Going up, you can lean slightly forward but do not want to lay on the horse's neck. Conversely, going downhill, lean slightly back, sometimes gripping the cantle with one hand can help balance you.

If you lean too far forward or back, you can inhibit the horse's ability to balance himself and you. I also agree that zig-zagging hills if possible is the best way to do a hill. If you have to stay on the trail, just remember slight leaning, don't throw yourself too far forward or back.