[dixygirl]

I started letting my horse go up and down a steep hill on her own to go from her paddock to an enclosed meadow. She runs very fast as she reaches the bottom of the hill and also runs very fast all the way up the hill. I was hoping this would help her develop some good muscle tone, lose her broodmare belly and swayback. Today was the first day she was allowed to come and go on her own, up and down. She seems to be enjoying it very much. Watching her running up and down the hill reminds me of wild mustangs somehow

However, seeing this tragedy in the Kentucky Derby, I am wondering if I should not let her go up and down on her own. There is always a possibility she could trip running so fast


I would not want her to hurt herself running up and down the hill. Any opinions?


PS By the way, the hill is about like this one from the Australian movie Man from Snowy River

[Crazy4Apps]

It should help her out lots, but the running down part would bug me. Maybe you can let her run up the hill to go out then, lock her out at the top of the hill, and when you want to bring her in then lead her?

[imjustjoking22]

Honestly I wouldn't worry too much unless your mare is really nutty - remember horses live as wild animals very successfully- they are naturally very sure-footed and well balanced.

Unless your mare is unnaturally unbalanced or something like that I would trust her to know how fast she could go safely- of course there is always a risk but the kentucky derby is not really a valid comparison- those are entirely different circumstances.