Bareback pad, is there really any need for a saddle?

[NuttyMare]

If you weren't going to compete etc, I was thinking about it recently and it seems a little unnecessary if your horse is perfectly happy being ridden in a bareback pad? Am I wrong?

[cvb]

a bareback pad doesn't really spread the weight of the rider at all. So its just like riding bareback - only less hair and sweat on the rider !

So the problem here is the weight which is going on to the horse's spine - which is not designed for carry it.

A saddle (including treeless) carries that weight off the spine and spreads it over a wider area.

[NuttyMare]

Ah I see, thanks for clearing it up.

[notpoodle]

and bear in mind a decent pad will cost you pretty much the same as a synthetic or second hand saddle.

eg i dont compete (not good enough rider, ahem) and only ride for fun and not every day. the most i ever ride in one go is maybe an hour and a half. i still have a (synthetic, but soon treeless, hooray!) saddle for my pony. i dont think bareback pads are all that comfy for the horse if you use them all the time :rolleyes:

julia
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