is bareback unsafe

[stupidkelpie]

the other day one of the instructors said i shouldn't ride the horse i have lessons on bareback on a trailride because they thrive on routine and he is only a schoolhorse and never gets taken on trailrides. i knew that he would be frisky and i fell off when he bolted and bucked up a hill (the insctructor was pretty cocky about it after, but he's always like that).

does this mean i shouldn't ride him bareback? the thing is i feel perfectly confident when i'm doing it, and don't mind the occasional fall. also, would it upset the horse to be taken off his routine?

[Cathy Reynolds]

It depends. If you have a dependable animal, are under controlled conditions and wearing proper safety gear with neckstrap and bridle, riding bareback is probably the best way to secure your seat naturally and bond with your horse/pony. Otherwise, NO.

[K&K]

i can't really give you advice about the bareback thing but to me, a trailride would be good for the horse ... a change in routine CAN be good if it's things like that. i think he'd find it fun & refreshing, and he might give a little more in the lessons afterwards :)

[Nickie]

I ride Bren bareback and when he bolts now - (with a saddle) I can sit quite well to him - my position has also gotten loads better.

I did take a tumble a couple of weeks back - he bolted when I was riding bareback - damn birds! I stuck to him for everything except the corner! :p oops!

I think it makes a change and that change is good - however I would never ride bareback on a trail - it is soo much easier to come off bareback - more than can spook a horse out doors, Not to mention cars etc.

The choice is up to you - but personally I wouldn't go out bareback. Try jumping bareback in the school if you want an adrenolin rush and a very bruised bum!! :D

Nicola

[HorseDancer]

Horses do thrive on routine but a little mixing up of things can keep them on their toes and prevent anticipation and boredom. We use "mixing up" as a training tool sometimes to prevent the horses from just anticipating what we ask of them so we know they are doing it from aids rather than repitition. Also,a little of the mixing up of things helps to mature a horse in such a way as to become trust-worthy and "bombproof". For instance, a horse who is only ridden in a school will never learn to handle things on a trail and therefore will be more likely to be skittish or agitated on the trail.
As to riding bareback, it's not something I would recommend on a regular basis for schooling a horse, although it does have some uses there too but for the occassional bout on the trail or for some just plain relaxing, I see no harm. Don't forget that just because you are bareback that the horse still needs correct aids etc. Bareback will also give you a better seat as others have said and will put you more in tune to your horse's natural movements.
When I was young and just getting into horses we couldn't afford a saddle for the longest time and so I had no choice but to ride bareback. I think it helped my riding in the long run.

[cvb]

In my humble opinion....

I think all you probably did was do too much at once that was "new". i.e. bareback AND out was too much of a risk. I would probably start by going out on the trail with a saddle, and also riding bareback in the school (if you don't already do this), and when the horse has had a couple of times out in the trail, and I know their reactions a bit better then do both.

[Shiny McShine]

Riding bareback can be good for balance and I would agree with short periods in an enclosed area (I wouldn't ride bareback for long periods as it may disrupt your position as you tend to sit to one side of the spine without the saddle). If you are falling off then I don't think going out bareback is the best idea, you may not mind falling off until you seriously hurt yourself...which is always a possibility.

So, yes I'd say bareback riding is dangerous, just as any riding can be. This doesn't mean don't do it...just be careful and become more skillful in an inclosed area before you venture out.

[Ceraptor]

I would advise never riding out bareback outdoors unless you have a very steady horse and a very steady seat.

Riding a horse bareback and be plenty of fun though, in an arena or an enclosed ring. Just make sure you're on a steady horse and have someone around in case something drastic happens.

I'm not sure about this, but some of the horses at my stables tend to buck when someone's riding them bareback, yet stay perfectly still with a saddle. Does anyone have this problem?

[Princess]

Although riding bare back can be brilliant for your position and great fun it is a little bit risky. If you you wear a hat, a body protector etc, you have minimised the amount of risk involved to yourself and your safety.

HOWEVER, your riding instructor does have a valid point and if it's the stables horse in the end the decision wil probably be hers, as the safety of her horses are undoubtably are paramount.

[Mazpup]

I've riden bareback before on Champagne, and I found her a lot better behaved and more responsive without a saddle compared to when she wore one!

[suze]

I had a go on Chester bareback, 1 time because I'd forgotten his girth:( , 2nd time after a hack. Just for a few minutes to help strengthen my legs and seat. Its much more comfy than his saddle and so far he has been very responsive and well behaved.
Mind you I did this in a small enclosed field with hubby watching.:o

[stupidkelpie]

my own instructor said it was fine.

when i use the school saddles i get really bad pain in my lower back, so i always ride better bareback, i never really rely on the stirrups anyway cos it hurts my knees.

the real problem i found out was that whenever most of the horses went up that hill they would misbehave, so i should be fine as long as i avoid that spot as he didnt flinch any other time, even at the water obstacle (it wasn't a real trail it was a X country course)

[Emma_G_NZ]

Hi :D
I am riding bareback all the time at the moment because my new ponies saddle doesnt fit,so I am doing it while I wait for it to sell.
I find it sooo fun,The first couple of times I rode bareback on him i scrunched my bum up a bit and since my pony is well schooled he will stop with that,and you just lean to the side and he will turn.. lol! Anyway, Today when i rode I felt much more relaxed and I went easily with my pony.. It felt so natural and I felt like we were glued together!
I think I could have some troubles when I get a new saddle though, Because I have started to feel more secure bareback.. Weird or what?
I also agree with Mazpup,That my pony is more responsive and better behaved.. But i think that is because he was wearing a saddle which didnt fit for quite awhile.

Anyway, I have the same problem with going up hills bareback - My pony doesnt feel very comfortable and I was wondering how on earth I can lift off his back? Anyone help?

Cheers!

[Lucy J]

I was thinking about riding my youngster bareback but I'm scared as to how she'll respond. What do you think? She is funny with a thin numnah, but I think she might benefit from this. Should I try and see what happens?

She is broken and everything, I thought about it because she's had a tooth out and I was going to try her in just a headcollar and no saddle?

[senjj]

Try a treeless saddle. It's as near to bareback as you can be whilst still being safe. It's brilliant for your riding and means you have to sit better, use your seat and weight aids better.

[Shiny McShine]

Lucy J, I can't see anything wrong with riding your young horse bareback if you are a competent rider, so long as you take it steady and are careful how you get on. I would not be inclined to ride without a bridle though, I know alot of people do it, even on young horses but I personally would not put that much faith in my horse. Anything can happen to scare your horse even if it's mature, so personally I like to have the control of the bridle there just in case. The only way I would suggest riding without a bridle on a horse would be in an inclosed yard but it is definitely up to the individual.

[K&K]

to lucy j ... i'm no expert on this kind of thing but maybe, if you want to try riding without a bridle, use a round pen? that way there are less distractions for you & your horse, and it's nice & safe in case, by any chance, she does spook.

:)

[Emma_G_NZ]

If your horse has never been ridden without a bridle,then how about trying a bitless bridle while her teeth are getting better? If your horse has been ridden with just a halter before,go for it! Its all im doing at the moment-bareback too! (Riding with just a halter)