Riding Your Horse on Hills

to keep the horses spaced out and follow an experienced horse when possible.
To go up your position changes to help your center of gravity. Youll need to lean slightly forward keeping the body position you would have if you were hiking up. Hold the saddle horn with your free hand and pull. Place your reining hand in front of the saddle low and pointed in the direction you want to go up. Make sure to keep weight in your stirrups and your heels down.
When going uphill lean your body forward to the position it would be if you were hiking up the hill on foot. Although horses often want to trot or lope uphill keep at a walk. Photo by Heidi Nyland Melocco
Aaron says horses often want to trot or lope when going uphill. Moving faster helps them gain momentum. However its best to take one step at a time to make sure your horse doesnt slip this also helps him build up his hindquarter muscles.
Stay Straight
When youre going up be careful not to allow your horse to turn sideways. Horses that arent confident may choose to go back down to meet their buddy horses. Turning sideways doesnt allow your horse to balance and its easy for horses to slide in this position.
Keep your reining hand pointed uphill and correct your horse if he moves his nose away from your uphill direction. Dont wait for him to turn a hoof sideways. If he does turn to the side use your position to counterbalance him. Lean toward the steep side of the hill and dont add weight to the low side. It may be the safest option to return to the bottom of the hill and start again.
If you keep your horse in the correct herd position and moving slow youll move up and down with ease and teach your horse to pick the best path.
Meet the Trainer
Aaron Ralston works his horses on his familys Collbran Colo. cattle ranch and prepares them for worldclass competition. He won Top 10 honors at the 2021 AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse World Show and has championship titles in reining cutting working cowhorse and calf roping. He earned gold for the United States reining team at the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games.