Bareback pad for pootling?

[Muuuuum]

Hi, I’ve seen bareback pads discussed a fair bit on here but maybe not for quite the same purpose as I’m looking for. My 12 year old daughter has a very nice well fitting saddle for riding her NF boy but very occasionally she likes to just pootle around bareback for 15 mins or so - I’m concerned that her bony little bum might be uncomfortable for him, oh yeah - maybe a pad would be more comfy for her too, but that’s not my prime concern because I’m a bad mum. Anyway, I’m not going to be able to justify a Christ Lamfelle or bareback because it just won’t be used that much. I see QHP do a cheap one and was wondering if anyone had any experience of them? Thanks!

 

[Jambarissa]

I've only experience at the higher end of the market but I'd imagine any level of additional padding would help. You can't make them very tight so something decently grippy might be needed.

Best Friend bareback pads are good quality and around £80 new, might find a used one on Facebook or Ebay.

 

[maya2008]

Another vote for Best Friend bareback pads.

 

[Muuuuum]

Thank you to both of you, I was initially put off them because it looks like there’s a strap that runs over the back and I was worried about pressure but I’ll have another look.

 

[Skib]

Will 15 minutes really hurt him? With a light child rider?

I didnt start riding till I retired but riding bareback was one of the great experiences of my life.

And our RI explained that riding bareback taught me balance. A bareback pad is no substitute. The seat is different in bareback with ones legs hanging forward in the groove behind the horse's shoulders (Native American style). And one can absolutely feel the horse's movement through ones thighs and seat which trains one to feel the same when using a saddle.

If there is something I would dearly like to do again, it is to ride bareback but since I am now in my 80s I dont think an RI would be happy to let me try. And I was told from the start that my current share does not do bareback.

 

[planete]

Some bareback pads have a Y system for the girth straps so pressure is spread over the back. I think Dardo is one.

 

[SantaVera]

I think the fun of bareback riding is just that, bareback. If you are going to tack up might as well just put the saddle on.

 

[maya2008]

Thank you to both of you, I was initially put off them because it looks like there’s a strap that runs over the back and I was worried about pressure but I’ll have another look.

You don't do it up tight so it's fine. There's non slip on the base of the pad and on the girth, which really helps. I've used them on and off for 20 years or so, happy ponies all round.

 

[fidleyspromise]

I take my mare out bareback now and then. We go out for an hour round the woods. Sometimes pootling, sometimes faster as she gets the notion to go.
What you're describing your daughter wanting to do I would let her - no pads etc and then if she wants to go bareback regularly you can look at pads.

 

[Peglo]

i rode my first pony bareback pretty much everytime. I was skinny and had a bony bum but never thought about it at the time. She never seemed to mind.
But now I am very aware about it with my current one (I will be several stones heavier tbf) so I prefer to ride her with a pad. I got the CL one and I do love it and she seems happier with it on than without. I still love riding without a saddle.