Bareback ridding

[Mypinkpony]

Hi Everyone, i'm trying my horse bareback today to try and improve my seat and balance! Any tips? Am i meant to drop my legs long as opposed to grip? Gonna try him in a bitless too so i cant lose balance and tug on his mouth.

 

[Batgirl]

You aren't supposed to grip per se, you need to be balanced enough to go with the horse. If you can't walk, tort and canter without stirrups with a saddle don't try that gait bareback yet

I also wouldn't try a horse bitless that hasn't been bitless before whilst trying bareback for the first time, disaster waiting to happen. Make sure you have a neck strap to hold on to but use your normal bridle

Enjoy!

 

[Mypinkpony]

We have been practicing with no stirrups, can do walk/trot/canter successfully so not jumping too much into the deep end

He's been in a biteless before just not with me, apparently he loves it, he's got the most sensitive mouth and the main thing i'm scared of is tugging him by accident! Yes got the neck strap all ready too just an old stirrup leather...will that be ok? x

 

[LauraWheeler]

Old stirrup leather round the neck makes a good neckstrap

This is a video of me schooling my pony bareback.

[youtube]qGvPCqTMIwA[/youtube]

You let your legs hang down and just go with the movement of your horse. If your worried about pulling him in the mouth hold the neckstrap with one hand to beginwith to help you balance.

Hope you have fun. I love riding bareback and even hackout on the forest without a saddle

 

[Dippy Zippy]

An old stirrup leather is fine! just hold on to it and keep hold of the reins but not to tight. Also, its much easier to stay on cantering then trotting haha, but the transition back from canter to trot always ended up with me having to hang on to my old horse's mane :L

 

[Mypinkpony]

An old stirrup leather is fine! just hold on to it and keep hold of the reins but not to tight. Also, its much easier to stay on cantering then trotting haha, but the transition back from canter to trot always ended up with me having to hang on to my old horse's mane :L

Thats sooooo true, i find that without stirrups, i could canter forever its the transition bnack to trot that gets me all wobbly! I figure worst that can happen is i hit the sand, no saddle to get caught on lol!

 

[Mypinkpony]

Old stirrup leather round the neck makes a good neckstrap

This is a video of me schooling my pony bareback.

[youtube]qGvPCqTMIwA[/youtube]

You let your legs hang down and just go with the movement of your horse. If your worried about pulling him in the mouth hold the neckstrap with one hand to beginwith to help you balance.

Hope you have fun. I love riding bareback and even hackout on the forest without a saddle

Iv'e watched the vid - well done - ok you've set me up for tonight...i'll try and get some pics whatever happens Thanks

 

[PandorasJar]

You aren't supposed to grip per se, you need to be balanced enough to go with the horse. If you can't walk, tort and canter without stirrups with a saddle don't try that gait bareback yet

I find bareback an incredibly easy ride, whereas am hopeless in a saddle whether with stirrups or not. So don't necessarily agree with that!

I feel much more secure and seated better.

Agreed re bit though, don't change too much at once with a horse, neck strap is a good idea. I much prefer bitless, but only if the horse is accustomed to it.

Pan

 

[Sparkles]

One of them things you just pick up and learn. You know you're getting it right when you stop feeling like there may be a possibility of falling off!

I 99% of the time always ride Hairy bareback. Comfier and I prefer it out of preference with him. We hack everywhere, school and jump like it...no difference anymore. Like last night, hit the fields late evening and just had a gallop round the headlands for an hour or so, a few logs and ditches. Love it!

Not on every horse though, just Hairy. And used to on the TB lad too but he's too withery for my liking!

And no gripping with your legs. It's all about core balance

 

[Mypinkpony]

Well i braved it...eventually! only had a little walk/trot in the round pen but it was a lot harder than i thought! felt a little wobbly at times so i think i'll just jump on him once a week and practice....although the getting on bit was the hardest as he's a figet arse 17HH