Bareback on roads?

HaplessHorse

HaplessHorse

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I’ve been riding bareback constantly for a month now, and I started to phase out saddle use about a 2 months ago (I wasn’t even intending to do that initially, it just sort of happened). I haven’t ridden on the roads bareback (yet).

On the whole, both me and Cob prefer bareback. She seems to move her shoulders more freely and easily without a saddle, she also seems more settled. I love riding bareback as well, because I feel like I ride better without a saddle, and I can feel the horse more which allows me to ride exactly how they need me to in the moment. Cob is also fantastic in traffic, even when motorbikes/young lads in loud cars intentionally rev at her, the worst she’s ever done is 2 steps of trot and back to relaxation.

My trainer agrees that I ride better, and more confidently bareback. In fact, she’s suggested that I phase out saddle use on the roads as well as in the field. I will still be using a bridle, though.

I’m wondering if it’s actually legal and what your views on it are safety-wise?

The Highway Code seems a bit ambiguous about it, as far as I can see, anyway.
 
I don't know if it is legal but I also used to ride out bareback the majority of the time when I was younger. Obviously we all did it a lot as kids but it wasn't unusal back then in the 50s . I started doing it again as an adult because I had one particular mare who had sarcoids right where the girth would sit. She went far better unsaddled anyway, so maybe the sarcoids where already causing an issue before they could be seen by the human eye. 🤷‍♀️ It worked so well I continued with other horses from time to time, they all without exception went better unsaddled IMHO.
 
HaplessHorse said:
I’ve been riding bareback constantly for a month now, and I started to phase out saddle use about a 2 months ago (I wasn’t even intending to do that initially, it just sort of happened). I haven’t ridden on the roads bareback (yet).

On the whole, both me and Cob prefer bareback. She seems to move her shoulders more freely and easily without a saddle, she also seems more settled. I love riding bareback as well, because I feel like I ride better without a saddle, and I can feel the horse more which allows me to ride exactly how they need me to in the moment. Cob is also fantastic in traffic, even when motorbikes/young lads in loud cars intentionally rev at her, the worst she’s ever done is 2 steps of trot and back to relaxation.

My trainer agrees that I ride better, and more confidently bareback. In fact, she’s suggested that I phase out saddle use on the roads as well as in the field. I will still be using a bridle, though.

I’m wondering if it’s actually legal and what your views on it are safety-wise?

The Highway Code seems a bit ambiguous about it, as far as I can see, anyway.
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The Highway Code is about control of your animal, about obeying the rules of the road, including visibility, precedence, safety, etc.
The issue might be with your insurers, in event of an incident, if it might reasonably be argued you would have been less likely to fall off, the horse therefore less likely to have run off and caused harm (control, again) with a saddle. The statutory consultee, industry representative, BHS, probably does recommend bitted bridles, saddles, riding hats, boots with a heel etc for optimal safety hacking on roads, but if you and your horse are happy and confident to do so in whatever your local conditions are, take the obvious precautions and go ahead - used to be very common, especially for younger riders.
 
New Forests Rock said:
I spent much of my youth bareback - on roads, across Forest, finished every show with a bareback jumping class 🙈 🤣 Used to back my baby NF's bareback as well. Still amble out on coblet occasionally (but he's very comfy with a massive mane to hang onto)🤣🤞 Enjoy but stay safe!!
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I used to have a lovely pony I rode bareback around the Forest, he was comfortable too. Far too geriatric to do it now! I did have a mishap though when I got on my daughter’s little Forester, years ago when I still did interesting things on horseback. He had never had anyone on him bareback before. Apparently. He was in our garden, and he shot off and started bucking, decanting me quite quickly onto our rockery!
 
To return to the OP’s question, I think it depends where you live, and how much roadwork you have to do. I think if I was doing it now I would lead the horse to the bridle path or wherever you are going to ride. If possible. It depends on traffic, the horse’s temperament, the security of your own seat, and yes insurance.
 
Gloi said:
I used to be able to vault on too, no problem, gallop and jump and ride 2 up with my friend. Now it's the 3 step mounting block and I struggled to get off, never mind get on. Ho hum 🙁
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I don’t think I’ll ever be able to vault on to be honest, my feet seem incapable of leaving the ground. I’d probably end up repeatedly throwing myself at my poor cob’s bottom, and I’m meant to be young and springy! 🙈
 
BSL2 said:
I used to ride bare back all the time. I look back and it's like looking at a different person.😁. Like Gloi, vaulting on at gallop, the whole works. First 6 weeks of owning my pony, we couldn't afford a saddle😯. Those were the days. To add, we had alot more off road riding then.
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It was another world back then 😁

paddy fancy dress.jpg
 
I wouldn't think twice about it myself. I ride bareback every now and then, although not so much deliberately. The last time was to get to a gate that a walker had left open before the sheep did so I popped a head collar on Mim and raced them 🤣

I would say it depends entirely on how confident you really are, and how you'd feel if there was some kind of issue like the horse spooking. The insurance point is also valid but I'd heavily presume there won't be a clear answer, and it's the sort of thing that is only really be decided when there is a claim situation that isn't straightforward.

What I would caution, from real world experience, is to choose your jods colour wisely whenever riding bareback, taking into consideration the colour of your horse and how much it sheds. And to double check your lower half before, for example, popping into the co-op on the way home from the yard.
 
If you're really worried about it could you buy a bareback pad (no stirrups) for road riding? That would give your bum a bit more grip in the event of having to scoot out of the way of idiot drivers.
 
As a half-way house, have you considered this sort of thing? This one is from Equitex, but they have lots of different colours and materials. I have seen them at Burghley several times now and they do seem pretty good. I think you have to order them. They might give you the freedom of bareback, but with a bit more grip and substance if you did get into a situation.

https://thesaddlepadcompany.com/products/equitex-riding-pad-velvet?variant=51093650014538a

If I rode at all these days, I would give them a go, especially as I have rather flat backed Fells.

Riding bareback on roads isn't illegal as such, but if there was an accident, and it was likely that it could have been avoided or not as serious, or that if it was you that was injured, the injuries would have been avoided or lessened had you been riding in a saddle, then there may be an element of "contributory negligence" (contrib) on your part. This means that it would be held that you were in part liable for your own injuries and subsequent financial losses/expenses. There is no fixed percentage for that; it is case specific if it applies. The point is that any compensation you might be due would be reduced by that percentage if contrib did apply. Insurers will be quick to pick up on it and it is often used as a negotiating point in claims. This would apply wherever you were riding, public road or not and a claim situation arose.

The insurance point is a good one. Any insurer might try and say that your insurance is null and void because of riding bareback, especially if it is made clear in the "small print" what tack must be used on a road (or indeed elsewhere). It might say something like "Proper tack must be worn at all times when the horse/pony is being ridden", or words to that effect. If you were riding with a saddlepad, you might at least have an argument that for you, it counts as "proper tack", as it is what you ride in all the time and there's never been any problem. Couldn't guarantee it would be a successful argument though!
 
LadyGascoyne said:
What I would caution, from real world experience, is to choose your jods colour wisely whenever riding bareback, taking into consideration the colour of your horse and how much it sheds. And to double check your lower half before, for example, popping into the co-op on the way home from the yard.
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Luckily, Cob is black and my jodhpurs are very dark purple, but I have definitely made questionable fashion choices in the past, such as hay leg warmers to the supermarket 🙈

Widgeon said:
If you're really worried about it could you buy a bareback pad (no stirrups) for road riding? That would give your bum a bit more grip in the event of having to scoot out of the way of idiot drivers.
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Yep, they may well be returning to my Xmas/bday list, along with getting my own rope halter for riding in the field (my trainer is currently lending me her one), nice shoes are being postponed yet again! 😂
 
i ride my spooky idiot bareback on the road sometimes, i just think if something happens i can get off quicker🤣🤣 i hacked out bareback all the time when i was younger, when i was much braver and more balanced (and closer to the ground!)🤣
 
I ride without a saddle more than i do with, sometimes in just a sheepskin half pad and sometimes, mostly winter, in a bareback pad so i can attach a hi vis sheet. I dont ride without something mainly because i dont want to be split in 2 and i like for her to have some comfort lugging my butt around. I've been doing it for years and pretty sure i'm know a the local oddball!
I dont have any issues but my horse is good in traffic, my only issue is sometimes finding somewhere to get on if i have to get off for any reason, she is 17hh so not a chance of me being able to vault on! I would say make sure they are good at standing in odd places if you need to get on and solid in traffic.
 
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