Bareback good for your position ?

Armas

Armas

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I thought I would give barback riding a go again today. Here is a little video of me trying it out. I figure it will help with my seat and lengthen my legs.
[youtube]dULarV8uvug[/youtube]

P.s Its my head and my horse so no need to comment about the lack of a hat.
 
It's open for debate whether it's good for your position or not. Some people say it makes you grip with your knees and hunch, though I don't personally find that and ride my boy bareback all the time, school him/jump/hack etc.

One thing people can agree on, is obviously, good for balance and core strength :)


Video taking ages to upload as comp knackered, but no doubt lovely horse as always! :)


Got as far as the first 12 seconds lol...only thing I can comment on is when sidepassing to the right, don't let him lose his frame and come apart and drift taking a short cut :).


I'm sorry...I'd love to watch it all as I love Armas....but I will end up killing my computer if I wait for it to upload lol!!!
 
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As above, and it did look as though it was encouraging you to adopt a vice like grip at times - particularly in the canter, I don't know how your horse normally goes, and I hope you don't mind me saying, but i think he looked quite unhappy and resistant in the canter at times. A better way to develop your seat but help it become softer and less tight/gripping would be if you could get somebody to lunge you and then you brave the trot as well without having to direct the horse at the same time :-)
 
i found that i started to sit on my horse like an arm chair as its easier to sit to the trot to and also that i slouched but then i was riding like it for a year... i dontgrip with my knees though unless hes rodeoing - i just shovemy knees in to his shoulders and stand up as such... puts him off rodeoing and stops me getting launched into next week :o
 
Bareback is good as so many saddles are GPs or jump used for flat work which is entirely inappropriate for leg and balance. However it is the worst thing for pressure on the horses back - two bony points digging in basically , this was proved with pliance testing.


You really really need to lift your hands off his neck and let him relax his neck more. You've got more neck bend than anything else in the beginning lateral work. Also slow it allllll riiiiiiiiight dooooooooooooown. Do a halfpass, take a deep breath and relax and then go into your next exercise - its all too rushed and bent to be of an gymnastic use to the horse. You also need to think about allowing your leg to swing from the hip, rather than using it from the knee, which is something bb is great for as you dont have the stirrup to brace against. Same with your bum, it should only be clenched if you're asking for a halt. You need to separate it from your legs.

In canter think up, up, up instead of shoving forwards with your seat :)
 
I just think it can be uncomfortable for the horse bareback, I think you can improve your position by riding without stirrups and reins, get someone to give you a proper lunge lesson a few times a week start without reins then without stirrups and in no time you will be riding without either.
 
I think it depends on how you ride bareback, if you are just trying to stay on and think it will miraculously improve your seat then you will just end up in a chair position and slouching. You still have to employ all the same things that you do in a saddle- engage your core, pull up, drop your weight deep into your ankles and heels rather than gripping etc. If you are using your body right and really working hard to keep the correct position you will know it then next day :p

My advice would be keep it steady breathe and relax into the movement- there are quite a few moments when you tense which brings your heels and knees up and you bounce more and tip forward particularly in one of your canter transitions. I can be hard with your leg hanging lower and therefore in a different place, I would try and keep your legs longer and more still if that makes any sense as it looks as though you are trying to use your heels which is bringing your leg back as well and tipping you forward.
 
Thank you for all the feed back. Bareback is new to him and me this is only the 3rd time I have ever ridden him bareback.
I will be getting a neck strap, I think until he gets used to it I will probably still have a vice like grip. As there were a couple of instances when we nearly parted ways ! My hands will come up with the use of a neck strap.
I enjoy riding bareback I like the natural feeling of him under me and when its cold keeps my bum warm :D
 
Think about stepping in to the canter more. I train a lot on my cob bareback as I hate his current saddle, have regular lessons without saddle. My instructor says you must try and ride with a classical seat even bareback, rather than any gripping or hunching up. Once you have your core strength and balance sorted it's very easy
 
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