Riding Your Horse Bareback
Do you wish you could go galloping across endless paddocks, at one with your horse?. Or do you just want to improve your riding?. Bareback riding has so many benefits, and if you've never tried it, you're missing out.
Follow our guide to improve your riding a very natural way, safely and easily, your horse will thank you for it.
Should You Ride Bareback
Before you go about riding bareback, think about your past experience. Is your horse flighty?. If so, you may need some assistance until you're comfortable on your own. Choose a safe area to ride bareback in no matter how long you've been riding. Bareback is different to saddled riding. It's a good idea to make sure you can ride without stirrups fairly easily before you attempt to ride bareback.
It's not that hard, once you get it, you've got it !. Remember to only do what you're confident doing.
Bareback Riding
They do provide a little cushioning on the seat, good for bony horses, and they allow riders to mount easily with the use of the stirrups. These pads can be a little difficult ordered in at your local saddlery.
Some riders argue as to the safety of stirrups on a bareback pad, they can be a bit slippery on the horse's back, and with uneven weight in the stirrups it may become unsteady. They are good when used under supervision, and still allow the freedom of gaining your own balance.
Riding Bareback
So what now?. Why not try your normal lesson bareback?. Work through things you usually would do saddled. Remember that it's so important to learn not to hang on and adopt a normal riding position.
Once you've got independence with your horse, you'll go far!. Once you get back in the saddle, you'll notice the difference. You may even like to lower your stirrups a little, as many riders find riding in the saddle a bit odd and very uncomfortable after having so much freedom.
Bareback Riding Hints & Tips
If you need to hold the mane, but don't lean on your hands. The point of bareback riding is to improve your balance, if you're leaning you'll never learn.
Make sure you're looking ahead, and try to adapt as close to normal seat as possible, heels down still applies!.
Trotting and cantering will be the true test of balance, make sure you relax into each gait gently, give yourself time to adjust.
Take time to feel the horse move underneath you. Practice your aids and see just how long it takes your horse to respond.
Do some stretches to feel comfortable while you're riding bareback, use each muscle. Try a half halt and check the effect it has on your horse when you don't have a saddle.
If you're up for the challenge, try rising trot bareback. Use your thighs, and try to keep your lower leg perfectly still. Remember not to lose your position.
If you feel like you're about to fall off, just slide and keep a hold of your horse. You've got nothing to get stuck on, just make sure you land on your feet!.
Really adventurous riders even gallop and jump bareback, although this is really not recommended until you're very confident with a lot of balance.
Practice, practice, practice, and be ready for that bareback class at the local gymkhana!. If you can rise to the trot there, you're sure to win.
Make sure to take up an even rein contact, and really ride that horse!. Don't be a passenger because you're thinking about your
balance, take control, sit deeply and relax.
Bareback Riding Challenge
Mounting without stirrups can be a challenge, you need to find a helper to give you a leg up or it's possible to mount from natural objects, like logs, as long as you know they're sturdy. When you mount, remember to land gently on your horse's back, this is supposed to be an enjoyable experience for both of you.
Once you're on board, take a minute to relax yourself and adjust your position on your horse. Make sure you're sitting straight, and that you're comfortable.
Move around a little bit, stretch your legs down, straighten your back and get a feel for being on bareback. When you're ready, ask for a walk and move off with the horse. it may take a while for you to adjust, but if you relax, you will be able to find your natural centre of balance with your horse.