Bareback too difficult?

[LCQH]

I cannot ride my mare bareback whatsoever. Her trot literally bounces me right off and I can't get into a canter either without stirrups. I've had people watch me and they said my seat was just fine.

Any other horse I've ridden bareback I've had no trouble with. Heck, I even used to jump small obstacles bareback.

Is it something I'm doing or is she just a bumpy horse? Is there anything I can do to make me a stronger rider while on her bareback? I love going bareback on her, but I just can't do it without cheating with my stirrupped bareback pad.

[Just.Jump]

Firstly, do not use a stirruped bareback pad. Unlike treeless saddles, they have no support. If you become unbalanced (which can easily be the case in your situation), you may very well be caugt undernieth the horse, still in the said stirrups. We all have accidents, afterall, and a bumpy horse is just asking for those stirruped bareback pads. =P

As per the bumping- is she the same with a saddle?
You should be able to work yourself into being able to sit just about anything. I've been on horses with particularly air-filled paces, and from experience, it just takes time. After 4 YEARS of bareback riding on a fair few horses, I've learnt to work around bony mountainous withers and the odd stride of a mule.

How long have you been riding bareback? For all we know, it could be the fact that you only roder one 'type' of horse bareback, and therefore still need to get used to choppy/bouncy strides bareback.

To be honest, though? I would say it's a matter of following the motion and letting your hips move freely to accomodate the horses motion.

[Baileigh]

It all comes down to relaxing, and it might take a few falls to get there. If you are afraid of falling off, you'll be tense, and that will throw your riding off. So having a few tumbles may do you the world of good, if you are unable to relax.

Other than that, I'd suggest putting a stirrup leather round her neck, so you can have something to hold onto that is a bit more solid than her mane. Then I would practise jogging, without actually going into a working trot, and getting used to the movement, holding onto the stirrup leather if you need help to push yourself deep into her back and hold a natural, steady position.

With some horses, you have to rise a bit with trotting at first to get used to them bareback, because they do have such a bouncy gait, my pony was like this, eventually, I could just do anything on her bareback, but at first, I would half rise, gripping with my knees to help push me up.

I would also say don't use a stirruped pad, it's pointless. If you need to use that, just go the whole hog and put a saddle on the animal rather than pretending you are riding bareback.

Canter bareback, I've generally found very easy - if you are having trouble knowing where to put your leg, if that is why you want stirrups, practise with a saddle, with no stirrups, as the saddle will help hold your position and you can focus on where you want your legs to be, while still having the saddle there as a sorta ''safety net''.

The best advice however is perserverance. Balance and confidence in bareback riding doesn't always come easy - with some animals it does, but with others, their paces are just that bit awkward or fast or bouncy to make you absolutely comfortable. You just have to work at it - build up slowly, and be brave, don't fear falling off, and if you do fall off, get up, brush yourself off and get back on again.

[LCQH]

I had to use the bareback pad because my Western saddle doesn't fit her. Just bought an English one that should once she's weaned off the baby.

I've been riding bareback for 8 years. Not just one horse, I've ridden mostly bumpy ponies, smooth horses, bumpy horses, a mule a few times (got bucked off and broke my collarbone), and since then I haven't ridden as much bareback, but I've usually ridden other people's horses. Quarter horses, one TB.

I have no problem at the canter. It's getting there I can't do. She was learning a walk to canter transition but riding her had to be put on hold.

Maybe I'll start doing more non-horse exercise to strengthen muscles.

[Pinto mad!]

when i had my other pony i hated, hated, bareback! then i got my new horse who is so smooth. u just have to keep practicine. bareback is the key to becoming a excellent rider. well i guess i have to start doing more bareback!;) i started riding him bareback, the 3-5 time i rode him bareback i cantered it was so difficult! now i am always riding bareback. now i love it! that is the key for getting your balance. good luck

[Baileigh]

Exercises is a good idea - but not non-horse, why not do exercises on her back, while bareback? Like ''around the world'', ''half-scissors'', ''thread-the-needle'' etc, plus stretching exercises, having someone hold her (if you can) so you have the confidence to do all of this. Since you can stretch, and work on your balance, and confidence all at the one time. Good luck!

[LCQH]

[QUOTE=Baileigh]Exercises is a good idea - but not non-horse, why not do exercises on her back, while bareback?QUOTE]

We found out last month she's pregnant! Not sure when she was bred but is showing some signs that say early April. Oops. : P
We had to move my other horse (gaited) over an hour away so I don't get to see him as much as I'd like.

I used to do exercises, but Mom made me quit because ONE time I got stuck and had to have Mom help me sit right. Took her a whole 15 minutes that I was trying to motion her to help me and that I was NOT waving hello. Just glad my horse stood still.

I'm riding about twice a week. Once on lesson horses who wouldn't tolerate it and once on a theraputic horsemanship horse because needs regular riding to keep him in tune.