Bareback riding... Detrimental or not?

[Troyseph]

I'm not talking about once in a while bb riding, I'm talking 3 times a week, roadwork, fields(minor jumping/having a blast etc)
Do you believe it causes damage to a horses back? I'm talking pure bareback no pads with stirrups putting pressure in wrong places etc? And a well balanced rider who doesn't bounce around etc?

Or do you think it's ok? Just to point out I have a saddle(wintec) that has been professionally fitted to my boy yet he is so much more calm ridden bareback?? And the saddle wasn't fitted long ago, he doesn't play up in his saddle he's just a lot more on his toes so to say?

 

[Miss L Toe]

You do what you want to do, but be aware you may invalidate PL insurance on the roads

 

[YasandCrystal]

I think whether you go bareback, treeless or use a bareback pad or a treed saddle - all of these create some pressure points on the horses back. That is inevitable, The aim really is for 'evenly distributed weight'.

The best we can do for our horses is to ride lightly, use a specialist pad if the horse has muscle wastage and to continually try to check our riding position to ensure we are 'balanced' on the horse. As for saddles these need to be checked regularly for fit and comfort.
So to answer your question - no I think riding bareback is potentially no more detrimental than saddled riding to the horse.

 

[vicksey]

Im not really sure of the factual answer but my horse loves having the occasional ride without his saddle across the fields or beach. My saddle is made to measure and fits well and he never objects to having it on and works very nicely..... but I must admit he does enjoy it without! He is cob mind you and we always joke that was probably broken and haired around without a saddle and a bridle by kids before he I got him and agree that bb is no more detrimental than using a saddle in general

 

[classicalfan]

I guess it depends on how bony your backside is

 

[Troyseph]

I got plenty of cushion 2 my backside haha!!!!!

 

[HeatherA]

I ride one of mine exclusively in a Best Friends bareback pad these days. She has a nodular skin issue and one of the nodules is right over the edge of her shoulder blade so is squished and uncomfy for her no matter what saddle we have. She objects to all of them whether tree'd or treeless but carries me very happily in the bareback pad.

At the heaviest her workload was being ridden five times a week with a mixture of 30-40mins schooling, short hacks (2-3 miles) and a long hack (5 miles or so) at the weekends.

I don't ride out on public roads with the bareback pad as I worry about public liability but I could always check with the BHS as I have their Gold Cover

It does depend how you sit and ride. I carry myself and don't put all my weight on my bum or sit as if I'm in a chair with my weight on her spine.

 

[Tickles]

As above posters said, not necessarily bad at all. I'd just add that in my limited experience it does really depend a lot on the horse. Some are much more sensitive to weight distribution/rider's balance and, frankly, some are a lot more/less comfy for an individual rider's sensitive parts which can lead to better/worse riding! With current horse I wouldn't do much bareback as I have previously as I know I don't sit so well when in pain!