Improvised bareback pad?

[CER1389]

Hmm I need to ride bareback tomorrow (gait reasons) but unless I forgo grooming and leave the layers of mud as grip, I think it might end up in me getting nice and intimate with the sand on the arena floor due to very shiny coats and slippery jods.

Would using a grippy halp pad numnah and an over girth work as an improvised bareback pad? Would only be riding for 20 mins max, jsut to experiment with the gaits.

Any thoughts (even if you've never tried improvising a bareback pad) appreciated on if you think it will work logistically? Just to give me an idea on whether to attempt tomorrow.

[Iron Maiden]

TBH I think you'd be best off without a pad. If it's improvised it might well slip and if that happens you won't stand a chance :eek: I often use a pair of jods with a Clarino (fake suede stuff) full seat for bareback, these are the most comfy & grippy things to wear IME ;) This time of year is interesting for bareback with coat changing - you might find your jods are hairier than your horse when you're done :o

[domane]

My cob mare had an incredibly shiny (read "slippery") coat so I used to use a saddle pad with an elastic surcingle... made it a LOT easier to grip!

[Moodymare!]

I've been using a prolite pad and overgirth for a while now, works a treat and is more comfy than just bareback with a TB X!!!!! Good luck! :D

[newforest]

I found anything i made do with moved. So i use jods with suede seat or a best friend pad when had.

[CER1389]

Thanks guys
Unfortunatley the horse came in from the field lame :rolleyes: so will have to give it a while :(

[Skippys Mum]

Once the lameness is over, try a bit of shelf liner. Its only a couple of quid out of any hardware shop and its great. I use it between horse and pad to help slipping. There is no weight in it and the horse is unlikely to bother if it falls off.

That and a neckstrap:D