One more for the bareback nervous nellies club

[neen]

The saddler's been out, and Fluke needs a new saddle, so, never one to miss an opportunity:

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j305/ninblak/bareback1.jpg

And just to prove that this wasn't an entirely stationary experience:

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j305/ninblak/bareback4.jpg

It was quite hard to get a good action shot -- there are lots of Fluke's bum as there's a delay on the camera. Either that, or we were going too fast ;) .

I stuck to walk as I didn't want to "do a Nic" but I couldn't resist doing a "round the world" at the end. Must be nearly 30 years since I did that! Blimey but it's hard to lift your leg over a horse's neck.

Fluke flicked an ear to express mild surprise when I first got on, but quickly came to appreciate the fact that for once a quiet plod was actually what was required. After 10 minutes my legs began to feel that they were coming unfastened from my body -- that must be a good sign, right?!

Must try it again -- next time who knows, we might even break into a trot. :D

[domane]

Yeay! Well DONE neen!!! Great news and fab photos.... the horses are so funny when you ask them to walk on.... "What the he...??" I remember Cherry was all flicky-eared the first time. It IS an odd sensation... rumour has it that if you persevere you end up preferring it TO the saddle as you can feel so much more.... hmm... jury is still out on that though!

And totally know what you mean about the wobbly leg syndrome... that could also be adrenalin from the nerves :D (well it was in MY case!!!)

How long will you be saddle-free?

[Guest]

I reakon we should set each other challenges so we can all try new things as we're all getting in on this bareback malarky.
Well done.

[HairyCob]

Weyheeey! Well done and welcome to the club!:D

I'm with you on the aching legs thing- bloody agony after twenty minutes:rolleyes:

[neen]

Saddler says that the saddle isn't actually causing him any discomfort, Domane, but it slips back at speed (not that I often travel at speed...). It's not really a surprise as he's only 4 and in the last few weeks has visibly changed shape. He has withers! And a bum! His back used to be like a (rather small) tabletop. Now he's horse-shaped.:D Not sure how long it will take to get the new saddle, but hopefully not too long.

You're way ahead of me on the challenges, Bobbin, but I've signed up for your thread. Some of the suggestions made me do this :eek: -- those are probably the ones I need to try! Not sure I'm ready to hack out bareback like you did -- we sometimes have a spot of napping as we set off, which would probably have me on the floor if I didn't have a saddle. Don't think anyone's ever fallen off Fluke in his short career, and I don't want him to find out it can happen!

I'm treating the legs as an experiment, HC. The thighs aren't aching at all today (unlike last week when I had a lesson on Saturday and was painfully aware of it all through the week) but my hips feel like they've been attached to my body by someone who was perhaps attaching their very first pair of hips... like if I turn quickly, a leg might drop off. I'm sure this "looseness" is really, really good for me... In fact you can see on the pictures how much longer my legs are already! :cool:

[VickiGG]

Well Done Neen - I have not been game enough to try that on my new horse yet

[cazrider]

Well done Neen.:D Great photos. Can we see the photo of the leg falling off when you do your round the world please?;) :D

[oldbushy]

lovely photos. Thanks for putting them on for us
... Its the most puzzling thing to me. years ago (in my 30's)I rode my arab pony even at a canter bareback. The jilting to the pony trot hasn't helped my spine though.. After my 10 year break from riding and my terrified return I still sneak a bareback walk now and then and of course I can't resist a trot. I just giggle and hang on to poor darling's mane. I am a nervous nervous rider always at war with myself over riding but when I gat on bareback I am not one bit scared. I just love it. I have even ridden my new unbroken thoroughbred who has panick attacks bareback, boy is that bony and I can't hang onto his scrawny mane either. This has really puzzzled him. all the extra movement . I don't pull on their mouth or anything. Why is this?I remember when I was 15 and a very good rider I could not stay on bareback. And yet bareback I have no nerves. What can go wrong? You might fall off SO? Am I insane or something I just don't understand
why everyone else is so opposite to me. Perhaphs I'd be better not to know whats wrong with me Regards Oldbushy