Do you think bareback riding would improve a riders seat?

[Troyseph]

If done reguraly? Comments appreciated

 

[tallyho!]

If done reguraly? Comments appreciated

Why wouldn't it?

 

[LissyBear]

Yes without any question yes. When I used to teach I used to regularly do bare back lessons with the children. It dramatically improves balance and core stability of the rider. A more balanced rider equals a more balanced horse. I also think that once mastered it gives a rider added confidence. once. The rider is back in the saddle I would notice them having a lighter seat because of it too.

If you are worried at first you could start with just the removal of stirrups. And you can get bareback pads if you are worried about getting a hairy bum! (Zilco do one)

I have always been a fan of bareback riding and enjoy a bareback plod on a warm summers day. I always feel a closer bond with my horses when I have this relationship with them.

 

[Troyseph]

Sorry, my sister was on the forums and posted this thread... If everyone would like to enlighten her please she's only a tween her friends ride bareback and have told her she needs to but she doesn't feel safe at all,I'm guessing that's why she's posted this..on my account of all things...kids,!

 

[Sparkles]

Kill or cure Not recommended for high withers though!

 

[Troyseph]

Amen to that,,my boys got quite a high wither and I rode him bareback the other day for over an hour (no pad either) including trotting cantering jumping and spooking
Needless to say I'm still a bit sore... and I always forget to not ride in bloody Lacey undies, OUCH

 

[be positive]

If she does not feel safe yet there is no rush but it helps a rider to gain confidence once they can do it. Try just taking the saddle off at the end of a ride and walking round nice and quietly while the pony cools down, in the summer riding in and out to the field is also fun, someone can walk on foot to give support.

 

[tallyho!]

Sorry, my sister was on the forums and posted this thread... If everyone would like to enlighten her please she's only a tween her friends ride bareback and have told her she needs to but she doesn't feel safe at all,I'm guessing that's why she's posted this..on my account of all things...kids,!

Sorry for my vague post then.

It is very good. Most kids years ago including myself never had the pleasure of saddles and so all we had was our bums and and a fluffy back.

It is more secure than a saddle as you can feel the horse. I advise to relax and go with the movement or you could fall if you tense. The worse you can do is grip with the knees, like in a saddle but you'll be off in no time.

Just sit on your botty, and ride

 

[Business]

Yes, and balance

 

[ausipaliboi]

I prefer to ride bareback to riding in a saddle.

I have just bought a bareback pad as I am now riding with my toddler and it is far more comfortable than trying to fit two of us on a GP saddle! I had a rare toddler free hour down the paddock this morning so threw the bareback pad on my boy and rode him out in his halter. So relaxing!!

I have a pretty wonky body, raised left shoulder, dropped right hip, tight leg muscles. I feel pretty useless riding in a saddle because I simply can't get it right, I can never get my stirrups right, I can't wrap my legs around, I fall to the left all the time and I can't get my boy to canter right rein due to my hip issues.

Riding bareback however I have no problems doing anything, I feel far more relaxed and as a result my horse is more relaxed!

 

[Dubsie]

One of the most popular rallies at my daughter's PC is the bareback rally they have in summer. Depending on age group (the littlies on lead rein, the bigger start with some work w/o stirrups, right up to the biggest do gridwork with no reins no saddle), they all do work without stirrups or saddle, and the bravest finish with mounted games and jumping bareback.

I'd suggest try on the lead rein (Sister can help lol! )after riding each time just to ensure pony is nicely calm to cool down pony after riding, then try a bit off the lead rein if confident. Will improve seat and confidence without doubt.

 

[ridefast]

I think it would but how would it affect horses back? I prefer riding in saddle with no stirrups rather than complete bareback

 

[QueenOfCadence]

For dressage? NOPE! It teaches you to throw your leg forward and sit in a more "armchair" position since it's more comfortable to sit like that bareback (your horse has a nice pad of fat on it's shoulder which for some reason attracts your leg ). When I started getting serious about dressage I was told to stop riding bareback as often as I was as it wasn't doing my seat any good

I know I'll receive some backlash for this comment but it's the unfortunate truth

Here is a typical example of above mentioned "armchair" position (this is me - don't laugh):

 

[black_horse]

For dressage? NOPE! It teaches you to throw your leg forward and sit in a more "armchair" position since it's more comfortable to sit like that bareback (your horse has a nice pad of fat on it's shoulder which for some reason attracts your leg ). When I started getting serious about dressage I was told to stop riding bareback as often as I was as it wasn't doing my seat any good

I know I'll receive some backlash for this comment but it's the unfortunate truth

Here is a typical example of above mentioned "armchair" position (this is me - don't laugh):

I dont agree with this. I think riding bare back allows a rider to understand how their postion affects their balance and stops the rider clenching up their hips/thighs. You learn to relax into the movement as as you relax your leg will get longer because your hips/pelvis opens and relaxs.

I love riding bareback, i havent done it on delicia is a while due to the risks if i fell off, but i used to have a lovely horse who i would ride bearbac for hours. I am going to ride dee bareback with someone leading as a last ditch attempt to get my muscles to remember how to relax.

 

[QueenOfCadence]

I dont agree with this. I think riding bare back allows a rider to understand how their postion affects their balance and stops the rider clenching up their hips/thighs. You learn to relax into the movement as as you relax your leg will get longer because your hips/pelvis opens and relaxs.

I love riding bareback, i havent done it on delicia is a while due to the risks if i fell off, but i used to have a lovely horse who i would ride bearbac for hours. I am going to ride dee bareback with someone leading as a last ditch attempt to get my muscles to remember how to relax.

Or it teaches you to clench with the wrong muscles. I've found that it tends to encourage gripping with the thing (in gaits above the walk) and even more so jumping (to get into a light seat). As we all know the thigh is reserved for asking a horse to slow down - it blocks energy, so by training yourself into it you'll pick up problems later on, especially in lateral movements or collection. Just my opinion of course

 

[black_horse]

Or it teaches you to clench with the wrong muscles. I've found that it tends to encourage gripping with the thing (in gaits above the walk) and even more so jumping (to get into a light seat). As we all know the thigh is reserved for asking a horse to slow down - it blocks energy, so by training yourself into it you'll pick up problems later on, especially in lateral movements or collection. Just my opinion of course

I did my disertation on the biomechanical movements of a horse and rider and how a saddle affects this. Again i do not necessarily agree with you. I think if you are gripping then you are trying to run before you walk, you cant go bearback and expect to canter over grids immediately, you have to retrain your muscles, something that takes ages to do.

The SRS uses bearback riding for a number of years to teach their riders about an independent seat as opposed to relying on big knee rolls and deep seats in order to obtain the 'correct' dressage position. If you are gripping, go back a couple of steps. Riders grip because they feel insecure/out of balance, in order to stop this, you need to readdress these issues.

 

[QueenOfCadence]

I did my disertation on the biomechanical movements of a horse and rider and how a saddle affects this. Again i do not necessarily agree with you. I think if you are gripping then you are trying to run before you walk, you cant go bearback and expect to canter over grids immediately, you have to retrain your muscles, something that takes ages to do.

The SRS uses bearback riding for a number of years to teach their riders about an independent seat as opposed to relying on big knee rolls and deep seats in order to obtain the 'correct' dressage position. If you are gripping, go back a couple of steps. Riders grip because they feel insecure/out of balance, in order to stop this, you need to readdress these issues.

I disagree. I'd LOVE to see someone doing a light seat bareback without gripping - It's impossible.

 

[black_horse]

I disagree. I'd LOVE to see someone doing a light seat bareback without gripping - It's impossible.

I used to...and its not impossible but i would love to see why knowledge brings you to that conclusion if i remember you are quite young?

I understand your opinion, i just disagree with it

 

[Dubsie]

I think at the age/ability we're talking about it will improve balance / confidence in the long term more than it will give wrong positioning for what said rider might progress to

 

[black_horse]

i know my self that i rely a lot on my saddle at the moment to give me confidence after my injury, before i felt i didnt need a saddle and sometims felt the saddle interupted my horses movement

 

[QueenOfCadence]

Of course, I'm extremely young and because of that I'm inevitably wrong

However, please explain how you lifted yourself from your horse's back - not using any contracted muscles to get you there (since you could do it without clenching)? I'd love to know your secret

I've jumped bareback a few times and I've been told how lovely and relaxed my seat looks - of course only I know that I'd prefer to have taken the jump with stirrups because it would've meant a lot less restriction for my horse

 

[black_horse]

Of course, I'm extremely young and because of that I'm inevitably wrong

where did i say this? I mentioned your age because of your argumentative style writing

However, please explain how you lifted yourself from your horse's back - not using any contracted muscles to get you there (since you could do it without clenching)? I'd love to know your secret

I've jumped bareback a few times and I've been told how lovely and relaxed my seat looks - of course only I know that I'd prefer to have taken the jump with stirrups because it would've meant a lot less restriction for my horse

Wow you are really quite rude arent you? A light seat doesnt mean you hover in your seat, it means you have the ability to control your body so you are not a lump on the horses back or 'riding heavy'. It has nothing to do with weight but muscular dexterity.

I do not know if you mean to come across rude or not, i wil give you the benefit of the doubt but in your last two posts you are quite cocky and obnoxius. I would tone it down a bit as there are more experienced riders then either yourself and I on here who have the ability to impart knowledge without looking down distainfully on other forum members.

 

[muddygreymare]

I do quite a bit of bareback work with my mare, maybe 10 mins of bareback work at the start or end of the session once or twice a week. I've found it's improved my balance a hell of a lot and also my seat and I've found that since doing it she listens to me more. It also helped my confidence a bit too, and I actually prefer riding bareback than with a saddle, although I feel a bit safer in a saddle, but enjoy bareback more as I find I can relax

 

[black_horse]

I feel a bit safer in a saddle, but enjoy bareback more as I find I can relax

^^ this!

You relax, your mare listens more and your aids become more effective but it takes time to learn to ride like this

 

[QueenOfCadence]

where did i say this? I mentioned your age because of your argumentative style writing



Wow you are really quite rude arent you? A light seat doesnt mean you hover in your seat, it means you have the ability to control your body so you are not a lump on the horses back or 'riding heavy'. It has nothing to do with weight but muscular dexterity.

I do not know if you mean to come across rude or not, i wil give you the benefit of the doubt but in your last two posts you are quite cocky and obnoxius. I would tone it down a bit as there are more experienced riders then either yourself and I on here who have the ability to impart knowledge without looking down distainfully on other forum members.

Did not at all mean to come across as rude, but felt that your "argumentative" style of writing was rather insulting, might just've been the way I read it - after all tone isn't carried over the internet

Sorry if you experienced my comments as cocky

 

[black_horse]

I am sure you didnt but you are quite young, i was merely highlighting the fact that others who have commented have different opinions, but at such a young age you seem so steadfast in your own?

I remember when i was a teenager, i was exactly the same, but it doesnt carry well over the internet.

 

[Phoebe+Sophie]

I think it improved my seat because it means that if I was gripping with my legs I would bounce and feel insecure but by relaxing and moving with the horse it wasn't a problem. I love the connection I feel bareback and that small movements make all the difference.

 

[BombayMix]

I ride the whole summer without a saddle apart from competing - I'm always FAR more stable like that. I actually only use a headcollar (though that will change with new insurance rules ) and do all canter work and jump ditches, hedges etc

 

[Sol]

I don't think I will have much option but to jump bareback now if I want to (new dressage saddle reeeaally not one I'd like to jump in!), not that I will complain It does do my confidence good & helps me relax, although I don't think it does my position any good OR bad. Hasn't helped my stickability in the last few years either, although bareback combined with regularly schooling crazy ponies when I was younger (no, not combined... most of the time) fixed that bit!!

First time jumping in a few months, first time jumping bareback in maybe, 5 or 6yrs? I would have liked to have released a bit more but he did have enough on landing Hopefully that bit will improve with his jumping improving & me getting used to it again!

Just remembered that it DID help me learn to ride canter a lot better. No option but to go with the movement bareback, which helped me get used to moving my hips when in the saddle rather than being more fixed Trot is simple though as Dante is abnormal - he has a smooth trot & a bouncy canter!!

 

[Jackson]

I've always been told good for your balance, bad for your position, but I suppose like riding with a saddle, if you're not actively trying to correct how you're sitting, you're probably going to slip in to bad habits. A good bareback seat is going to be different than what is considered good in a saddle, whichever way you look at it, because you're going to have to find other ways of balance without the help of a saddle!

If she starts off slowly, maybe on the leadrein (nothing embarassing about that!) or maybe even stood still! and go from there There's an interesting picture somewhere showing a child sitting in a chair seat, slouching etc using a saddle, and the same child sat bareback pulled in to a fairly decent seat, not restricted by stirrups and having to sit up tall to keep their balance..

After I started riding bareback every day due to a bad fitting saddle, I found that when I next rode with a saddle, I needed to put my stirrups down many holes. I also developed a womanly six pack which has sadly since faded, and I was able to second guess my horse (eg, when he was going to canter on the wrong leg) and correct him much easier when I had got my balance.

Sorry if that made no sense, I'm going to add more pictures to this thread now, pictures are always helpful I apologise for their quality

ETA Looking at my pictures, I have to agree with QueenOfCadence, I do shove my leg foreward, but this is how you have to be, bareback I think..Unless you're made of superglue! I know I sit on my bum more, to absorb the movement