riding bareback, any tips?

[keep the faith]

my instructor has told me i would benefit from riding bareback a few times a week to improve my position and help me sit up, last time i tried it i rode form the field to the stable and it was the most uncomfortable thing having a high withered horse, she has put weight on since then but have you any tips on staying on and being comfortable? lol thanks:D

[Trewsers]

I've only ridden Storm once bareback and I really enjoyed it! We only pootled about in the school, she was a real star - could have taken advantage of my nervous disposition - but she didn't!! She's chunky connie x tho, so it was like riding a gorgeous warm furry armchair!!! The only tip I could give you would be to relax..............

[mayoguinness]

I've ridden mayo a few times barebaack and at first every time he turned a corner I almost fell off but just try and relax into it and go with the rythem of the horse ;)

[Iron Maiden]

I've been riding P bareback regularly because we're saddle-less, I have been known to stick a bit of fybagee down my jods to cushion her boney back a bit! Other than that, my advice would be stretch your legs down long as best you can, relax, breathe & don't get overly ambitious, just pootle about well within your comfort zone. You may find that pretty soon you forget you're bareback & ride more or less normally.

[BeachRiding]

Relax, go slow. I used to ride bareback all the time because I didn't have a saddle. It's really fun. Especially cantering!

[Sammii]

I love riding bareback! :D In the summer, i'm a frequent for schooling bareback and will always ride bareback to and from the field (a good 1 min walk! :p).

The more "armchairy" the horse is - the better. Red = an excellent choice! :D

[xxxkristinaxxx]

wow i love riding bareback
its best on horses which arent boney though!

i like cobs the best or chucky horses/ponies to ride bareback on

xxx

[ponylover88]

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[Daffy Dilly]

I'm another with no saddle, so I ride bareback all the time, sat on a thick polypad. Walk, trot and canter aren't really a problem anymore, it's the canter-trot transition that gets me, so we're sticking in walk and trot for the time being. We'll do dressage tests (trotting when we're meant to canter though) and even been doing some tiny jumps.

As the others have said, relax, don't push it, and if you want put a stirrup leather around the neck to hang on to.

[keep the faith]

Well i had a go last night. i enjoyed it after spending 5mins trying to climb up that far (16.2hh):eek: i walked around for a bit doing circles and figure 8's. then had a little trot, bit unsteady at start but when i remebered to sit up i was fine, thats the main reason instructor wants me to do it, i tend to tip forward. did a few circle's in trot and then had a canter, how brave am i. lol. i really enjoyed it and i think lady did to. working in an outline and slowing when see felt me unsteady. i love my hoss!:D

[MajorityRules]

Yeah, I would follow the "relax" advice, and dont think its easy, just think landing centered if you bounce. I haven't tried it on Chase yet ;)
Condidering he just came yesterday. But in the summer I do it on any horse I can.

I remember coming off the butt one day... don't ask how, but I was just a little "too" relaxed, and the horse decided to speed up the jog.

[Bronya]

Lots and lots of practice is the best thing! Bareback pads can be really good, but on a high withered horse you'd be better without as they can pull on the wither. Suede chaps are fantastic, give you loads of grip and make you much more secure.

The better your horse is working (i.e. lifting its back, listening to you, and with engaged hocks) the easier its gaits will be to sit. That also sorts the canter-trot transition. If you just let the horse trot, it will go straight onto its forehand and be really bouncy. If you get a correct, well prepared transition, it will go into an engaged trot, which is easy to sit.

Jumping/fast canter you need to lean forward for, it takes you onto your thighs more and off the horse's back a little.

Get comfortable and stable in each pace before moving on to the next, and remember that your legs act as weights to keep you on. If you tense and grip, your leg will move upwards, and you'll tip off to the side.