How about riding a horse bareback?

Question

How about riding a horse bareback?

Answer 1

Try a suede bareback pad first- it gives you a good grip, so you don't slide to the sides as much, and it gives you a nice cushion so you don't bounce off his spine too much while you're learning balance. It's really not that hard, if you can ride in a saddle without stirrups, you should be able to ride bareback. Horses have a natural dip in their back, which the saddle shape mimics- you just find that natural saddle shape and sit in the middle of it. I started riding bareback for the first time this summer. I do like it a lot better with a nice bareback pad, just for the extra cushioning. But the balance comes easy. And I really don't think the horse knows the difference between saddle and no saddle, mine never blinked when I started riding bareback. Just try it out in the ring first to make sure you can balance at all the gaits before you try it outside a ring or on the trails at all.

Answer 2

I rode bareback a lot, simply because the saddle was too heavy if I had to put it on the horse myself. I was thrown off far more often when I was in the saddle. I loved bareback because the horse was so warm and smelled wonderful. The hair would irritate my bare legs, but ever so worth it! I would grab a book and go out in the field and just sit on the horse and read sometimes, while he would mosey around the pasture eating.

Answer 3

Even a saddle didn't help me! lol! When I was in my late teens or so, I went horseback riding with a bunch of friends. As requested, the instructor supposedly gave me a very calm & gentle horse! I no sooner got my feet in the stirrups & that horse took off like a bat out of you know what! The faster he went, the louder I screamed, & the louder I screamed, the faster he went. By the time the instructor caught up to my horse (seemed like an eternity), I was riding side saddle, & my britches had a big tear right where the sun don't shine! hahaha! (That horse probably laughed for 2 days)



Thanks for the memory!

Answer 4

I loved to ride when I was young. I wanted my own horse but never

could afford my own. So it was trail rides and riding academies and

once at a girls ranch. I miss it today, since I love horses. I would

have height and balance issues if I tried to ride today. But I still re-

member the ride of my life, when a horse took off with me in a corral

with a high fence, and attempted to jump. I'd lost the reins and got

two handfuls of mane, and pulled back as hard as I could. We both

landed with a hard thud. I came that close to the horse breaking

something and probably my neck as well. I'll never forget the force

that overcame my fear and I was determined to control that horse.

I sure got the flack from the ranch councilors that day. They thought

it was a dare devil stunt of all things. And I was using a saddle. I

thought later, how much I'd have loved to learn to ride bareback. In-

stead we learned to jump on our horses rears and other tricks you

don't get the chance to be taught normally. I relive those precious

times, when I rode.

Answer 5

I learned to ride bareback. You are closer and more in tune to your horse that way. And if you can only ride a horse with a saddle on it's back, then you can't ride the horse...you can ride the saddle. There is a difference.

Answer 6

I can't ride a horse with a saddle. When I was young I rode an old mule bareback. The poor thing, it was as if he was sleep walking he was so slow. We have three horses but I don't ride. My granddaughter and her friends do when they come to visit. Poppy

Answer 7

I rode bareback as opposed to a saddle.strted off bareback as I could not afford a saddle stuck to it just lean back to get balance..by the way your dad is right too

Answer 8

That's exactly the same reason my grandfather would not allow saddles for me. I think he was right.

We had several horses, but "my" horse, Flicka was 3 years old when I got her. I was 12. She had never been handled, but most importantly, never been abused either. We got to know each other slowly.

We gained each others trust mutually and she never bucked.

She was mostly Quarter Horse with a bit of Tennessee Walker in her.

I never used a saddle. I knew every move (usually) that she would make, and she knew mine.

I could ride like the wind.

That was the greatest love of my life. "My Flicka".

Answer 9

I couldn't ride worth a darn without a saddle. I always slide to one side or the other. My daughter on the other hand wouldn't ride with one and she rode great. She would barrel race out in our field and never came off.



Anyone else having problems with spell check? I haven't had it all day on here.

Answer 10

I used to ride horses all the time and usually rode bareback. Once you get used to your horse, you sort of know how to use your legs for balance and it is a freer feeling than riding in a saddle.



I had the world's nastiest Welsh pony. Every chance he got, he put his head low, kicked up his back legs and threw me over his head. He never once stepped on me, even though he ran over me every time -- have to give him credit for that. And, believe it or not, he was a really sweet pony -- just liked to buck people off. My dad even had him thoroughly checked by a veterinarian to make sure he wasn't in pain or something. The vet said he was actually playing a game. And, it was like a game -- he'd ride along great for 30 or 40 minutes and then buck me off, or sometimes it was within 5 minutes. He liked to keep me guessing.



Gosh,what wonderful memories you just brought up for me. I'd have a horse right now if it wasn't such a responsibility. But, the memories are great and I am so glad I was raised around horses.

Answer 11

many times.learned good balance as a result.last horse died 15 years ago.when recessions over,seriously thinking of getting another.till now,go to decent riding stable,but i h8 having to use western tack,mostly i h8 using tack at all.i usually rode with just a halter,a rope and no saddle.i dont care to use tack if i can help it,seems pointless,unless ur on a very long trail ride. and need stirrups for comfort.

Answer 12

Yes, a neighboring farm had a couple shetland ponies. Boy are they wide! But I did manage to hang on until a low hanging branch made me dive off. It was fun. I'm afraid to sit on a regular horse as the height bothers me.

Answer 13

I don't ride...did, but not any more. My girlfriend would never live without a horse. She has ridden bare and bareback.

Answer 14

We rode bareback a lot, did not feel like getting the saddle and blanket all the time. just grab the bridle and go........

Answer 15

Yeah, I have. I was about 9. As long as he didn't trot, I was fine. Then he trotted. Held on with my legs and to his mane. Fell off between his front and back legs. He kicked away to be sure not to step on me, then came back to sniff and see if I was all right. He was a great horse, Cheyenne.

Answer 16

Alright I'm with plum...But if I hurt my other shoulder It's all your fault!

I'm Sure Puzzles wont mind he is a well broke 20 yr old paint! here i go say a prayer! My thighs are a bit not what they use to be! Lol

Answer 17

Alright, but if my back gets sunburnt, it's your fault.