I got the pony but i got no saddle!!

McNally

McNally

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Well i have got a saddle but it wont fit this horse and i m very reluctant to buy a new one just yet as the horse is underweight and has no muscle so will change too much.
My plan was to just give him a few months and feed him lots! Its been suggested tho that actually it might be beneficial for him to be doing a bit of very light work- ie the vet recommended 15mins under saddle in walk.
The horse hasn't been ridden since last july. I thought of riding him bareback(?!) Is there any reason he will react badly to that? (i mean worse than with a saddle!) he has no sensitivity in his back and i will use a bridle, not completely bonkers!
He was in racing so probably not been ridden bareback before but not been ridden in a GP saddle either so maybe wont make any difference to him?
 
yes, that was my other idea but wondered if lunging in walk would get boring which in turn would cause naughtiness! also need to be working in long straight lines really due to old tendon injury (just to be safe)
 
Riding him bareback will be very good for your seat and balance. Be careful though you need to test his sensitivity to riding without a saddle as you will be giving aids even before you become aware that you are giving them and he'll respond quicker to this aids as he can feel them coming.
Some accept this better than others.

When I was a lot younger I HAD to ride my pony without a saddle as we couldn't afford to buy one straight away. Best thing I ever did. Not only in walk or trot but galloping and jumping. My balance and seat are great (comment from a GP rider!). I find that I still now ride with my seat and not with my legs. My seat bones are used for turning and if necessay backed up with my legs.
 
McNally said:
He was in racing so probably not been ridden bareback before but not been ridden in a GP saddle either so maybe wont make any difference to him?
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Most racehorses are backed, roadworked and flatworked in gp saddles at the start of their careers. Any yards I've ever ridden out at do roadwork in gp saddles where possible so no it shouldn't make a difference having a different saddle. You could try a David Ahn Suber pad to get you going while waiting to see what way his shape changes. Roadwork will be great to help strengthen the legs, especially for any horses that have had tendon issues. We slowly harden up the legs with vet permission
 
You would also be surprised at how many get ridden bareback. Plus a lot of race saddles are treeless so it's like sitting on a couple of polypads with stirrups. I can tell you from experience - use at least 2 polypads as it's mighty sore if they hooft you forwards onto the withers ...
 
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