Going bareback?

Pikachu

Pikachu

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Hello all

Right, i have a saddle fitting 3 month check upy thing on saturday for my (was) new saddle, but i also have a lesson booked in the afternoon as i normally do. Im now wondering what happens if he wants to keep my saddle for some adjustments and someone suggested i do my lesson bareback. Now i've never ridden bareback at all due to confidence issues, but would it be helpful and how much work could i actually do and would it be worth having an actual lesson?

Just wondering what you would do, cancel or go bareback! This is all a big if as he may think my saddle is all ok but thought i'd better cover all angles.

Thanks
Jeni
 
Depending on the type of horse you have I think i'd cancel the lesson... nothing worse than riding a TB with high withers bareback! Or maybe explain to your instructor that there is a possibility that you may have to cancel due to not having a saddle.

If you have a comfy cob and feel your position is strong enough to have a bareback lesson(ie you wont be hanging onto the reins for dear life) then go for it!
 
Provided that saddle only need minor adjustment, keep the saddle and take it over to the saddler after your lesson.
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Thanks, he's an andalucian and does not have too higher withers so think would be quite comfy. It is if my position is strong enough as im struggling with the occasional balance issue at the moment so one way it would help, but in another it may not (would put a neck strap on). Oh and he is very sane!
 
Think the others have a point about taking the saddle to your saddler after the lesson aswell. If you have confidence and balance issues I wouldnt go bareback as you could make both worse.

Fingers crossed your saddle is A ok, and you can have your lesson as normal!
 
I'd cancel, I don't do bareback! I tried on flash just walking round, and it hurt and I kept laughing so much I was nearly sliding off
 
Why don't you ask your instructor? She must know you and your issues and she can then decide whether going bareback or not will help you. There's nothing worse than having balance problems and a slidy back to cope with! On the other hand if you do go bareback and manage a 20m circle in trot - you'll be on a high for days!
grin.gif
 
I would take your saddle for adjustments after your lesson. With your confidence and balance issues I would not risk it. Yes, it is great for developing balance but might put you off or un-nerve you to begin with, which would be a shame.
 
Go bareback, it reminds you of what is going on underneath the saddle. You can stay in walk if necessary, practise lateral work, turns etc. Might find it easier to start with if you use all the arena rather than circles though!

I do hack bareback very occasionally, I'm sure my horse enjoys too, makes him very chilled.
 
If your not sure about it could you not have a long reining, lunging, handling, free schooling etc etc lesson? Or could you use another horse to have a lesson on?
 
We did discuss her giving him a proper lunge lesson but the YO recently put 20 tonne of rubber in the school and its very deep in the middle so don't really want to lunge him on it if i can avoid it.

Will have a think tonight and text instructor.
 
I think it depends on the horse. If its a safe cob then go for it, if its a TB it'll be damn painful (and the TB will likely hate it too)!

Id probably call up the trainer and ask them what they think. Bareback does wonders for your balance etc. but you will be sore the next day!
 
Hi All.....again

Thanks for all your suggestions, i've decided to cancel my lesson for now as i don't want to shatter the confidence i've slowly managed to build up over the last few months as it took a denting after a fall. My saddle probabaly won't need anything changing now but if i ever get the urge to go bareback, i can always take my saddle off for the cool down in one of my lessons
tongue.gif


Thanks
Jeni
 
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