Bareback Riding

[Blair Witch]

My instructor wants me to start bareback riding but I'm having a hard time to get on the horse even with a bucket. I have ridden bareback before but it was on a small Arabian. I just can't find a technic that works for me. I try to throw my stomach over like she tells me but it's like I just slide back down and it's somewhat embarrasing. :rolleyes:

Is there any other approch I could take to get up on the horse? Is there an exercises I could do at home to practise?

[GOBBY]

This is the way i was taught, and my 3 kids,bareback on a lunge, if you can walk, trot and canter the worlds your oyster, as you have wonderfull balance , then put the saddle on and its a piece of cake, however now im in my 40s i struggle to get on with the stirrup lenghthened!!! M y son and daughter count and on 3 have one hand with the reins at the top of the wither and as they volt up swing theyre leg over at the same time,

[BackintheSaddle]

I get on bareback from the fence. I sit on the top rail, walk him under me, and swing a leg over. On the 13hh pony, I just jump and hope I don't overshoot and end up in the dirt on her other side ;)

[jUmPingIsLifE]

there is an art to getting on, there really is!

get your head DOWN by the horses shoulder when you make your leap and make sure you start swining that leg over once you jump. if you head is down you can get onto any size horse, i have managed 17H you just gotta keep your head down and it helps you swing that leg waaaaaaaay up there!

[Tangle]

I struggled :o. Fortunately had a very large step and a very patient horse :p.

OH got on Madam - who's not small at 16.2/16.3. His technique was to start from the mounting block and lie forward across her back, so (starting on her left) his head was somewhere down her right shoulder. Once he'd got his balance, he then swung his right leg over her quarters. However, I'd ONLY try this if you've got someone else to hold the horse the first few times - you're in quite a vulnerable position until you get upright. Good luck :)

[Blair Witch]

Thanks for all the advice. I will try those different technics. One day I know I'll get up there!

[hannah:)]

Couldn't anyone give you a leg-up?

[Blair Witch]

Well my instructor is there but I'm much bigger than her. LOL

[Cool Rider]

Get a leg up its alot easier especially if you are small like me :rolleyes:

[Blair Witch]

Yeah, I'm not exactly on the small side though. lol

I guess we all have our problems :rolleyes:

[claire hodgson]

neither am I - but I'll stil get a leg up. The secret is that you jump up with your right leg as the person giving you the leg up pushes your left leg, and you also push your self up with your hands on the horses back as well ...

[Lindsayanne]

I'm a big girl (but not tall :o ). I've only ridden bareback once and lets just say I was really glad there was no one there to watch me get on!! :D Took me about 20 minutes. ;)

I stuck my bucket on the banked side of the arena, then lined my horse up, and flung myself up. :p I finally figured out I couldn't try to just fling one leg up, I had to jump up as high as I could and if I could get my abdomen over his back and "lay" over him, then I could turn myself and swing my leg over slowly. God bless patient horses. :D

[Blair Witch]

Yeah, My horse was very patient aswell. He stood there even though I was hanging from his side and probably kneeing him. He's a great guy and a great teacher. He can take a lot of novice abuse! lol

I know I'll get up there soon. I'd like to thank everyone for their tips.

[elise]

I just rode bareback for the first time yesterday. I climed up on a barrel and it was no problem to get on, as long as the horse stopped walking away from me, took a couple tries. :)

[arabianbaby]

I'm a big girl (but not tall :o ). I've only ridden bareback once and lets just say I was really glad there was no one there to watch me get on!! :D Took me about 20 minutes. ;)

I stuck my bucket on the banked side of the arena, then lined my horse up, and flung myself up. :p I finally figured out I couldn't try to just fling one leg up, I had to jump up as high as I could and if I could get my abdomen over his back and "lay" over him, then I could turn myself and swing my leg over slowly. God bless patient horses. :D

nice. :) i normally hop on from a milk crate if i can the same way. i CAN do it from the ground but it's VERY messy.
the other day there was a lawn chair in the indoor so figured i'd use that but thought it might give out so hopped a little extra high... it didn't so i completely missed the horse and landed on the other side. oops.

[Freedoms_Girl]

I normally stand on a milk crate or bucket...or the fence...unless its my 14.2H Freedom...I can swing my 4'10'' self up on him, and sometimes our 15.2H horse, but if while I'm on the fence, ect. and they move away, I grab a handful of mane, and swing/pull myself up. lol but its easy for me now cuz I normally ride bareback cuz I hate getting the saddle out...lol