Pony doesnt like being ridden bareback?

[nfpony]

I've had my NF pony for nearly a year now and really want to ride him bareback. I hack him bareback a lot, and sometimes we trot to catch up with the others and he's fine. But as soon as I take him into a school and try to trot and canter he gets all crabby and hates it (he's fine I the school under saddle). I've started using a gel pad to try and spread my weight a bit more evenly. He's very comfortable (no withers, flat back) and I've always wanted to ride properly bareback. I know it's not from me bouncing around because I don't, I have a good seat. His back is fine, we had the back lady a few days ago. He also has a very sensitive/responsive back and is very responsive t your seat- Do you think it's just him being stubborn or does he really just not like it? Or will it just take time, I've been hacking him bareback every so often ever since I've had him. And is it worth investing in a bareback pad?

 

[Deseado]

Why not ask your instructor to help? You may think you have a good seat, but it is quite likely that you may be gripping too much or even using the reins to anchor when you are going up into the more active paces.

 

[Auslander]

Some just don't like the sensation. My horse will NOT be ridden bareback. He's a well schooled, experienced horse, who goes beautifully on the flat, but the moment anyone gets on him bareback, he bucks them straight off.

 

[PolarSkye]

Mine doesn't like being sat on bareback either - nothing wrong with his back, he's not cold backed, doesn't object to saddle being put on or being mounted generally, but sit on him bareback and you'll be on the floor. He is very fine coated and thin skinned (marks easily) so it could be that - or it could be that he just doesn't like it - so we don't do it. Could be that your pony is the same.

P

 

[Red-1]

Ha Ha, owners of like minded horses.

The first time I got on Jay man bareback he froze, and I did think he was going to do an Alf! I was lucky, just sat nice and still, and dismounted again once he felt a bit better. I did it a few more times, and he is OK with it now, looks after me even, but most of the time if we want a bareback experience I use a Christ Lamfelle bareback pad. Nice sheepskin, padding, comfy, we do well.

 

[Wagtail]

Do you have a bony bottom, OP? I know I do and I expect many horses would find it uncomfortable. All your weight is being concentrated in a small area and it probably is pretty uncomfortable. If your pony doesn't like it, why on earth would you want to make him do it?

 

[OldNag]

Mine didn't like being ridden bareback. I have a well covered bottom so I don't think he found it bony. I just accepted that he didn't like it.

 

[GinaGeo]

In pressure tests, bareback comes up the worst by far! All your weight is concentrated onto your seat bones, and there is nothing to keep you off his spine.

If he objects then I'd just abandon the idea.

 

[Cinnamontoast]

Do you have a bony bottom, OP? I know I do and I expect many horses would find it uncomfortable. All your weight is being concentrated in a small area and it probably is pretty uncomfortable. If your pony doesn't like it, why on earth would you want to make him do it?

In pressure tests, bareback comes up the worst by far! All your weight is concentrated onto your seat bones, and there is nothing to keep you off his spine.

If he objects then I'd just abandon the idea.

Exactly. Why do it if the horse objects? Mine's not keen either so I just don't do it.

 

[Auslander]

Ha Ha, owners of like minded horses.

The first time I got on Jay man bareback he froze, and I did think he was going to do an Alf! I was lucky, just sat nice and still, and dismounted again once he felt a bit better. I did it a few more times, and he is OK with it now, looks after me even, but most of the time if we want a bareback experience I use a Christ Lamfelle bareback pad. Nice sheepskin, padding, comfy, we do well.

Alf did this to the last person to get on him bareback. He didn't even take a step forward - just launched himself upwards like a Harrier Jumpjet and ejected her! I've tried lying over him since, and he gets tense and worried. I figure he's more than earned the right to say No to certain things, so I'm not going to try and get him used to it! It's a real shame, as he is the perfect shape for riding bareback!

 

[Tern]

My first reaction when I saw the title was stop riding him bareback then, you don't NEED to.

My second reaction is that it's illegal to hack on the roads without a saddle and bridle but you haven't stated where you hack so just pointing this out.

Your arse is likely boney and he is telling you politely so listen to him.

 

[webble]

This completely this. Bareback creates a lot of pressure spots and just isn't fair

In pressure tests, bareback comes up the worst by far! All your weight is concentrated onto your seat bones, and there is nothing to keep you off his spine.

If he objects then I'd just abandon the idea.

 

[Shay]

I absolutely agree with previous posters - but did just want to point out that bareback isn't always "bad". My daughter has ridden all her horses / ponies bareback in the school from time to time. It can give a greater feeling of connection and balance, especially when jumping. They all seem to move more freely and enjoy being ridden bareback. We've never had one who objected - but if we did then we simply wouldn't do it with them. Saddles were intended for their comfort as well as ours!

 

[marmalade76]

If he doesn't like it don't do it. Why put him through something that upsets him if it's not necessary?

 

[_GG_]

Bareback can be fine if you treat it like sitting trot in that you use your core and legs to take the concussion and don't actually have much weight going through your seatbones. I rode bareback lots as a child but we learn as we grow and I don't do it now unless I have to.

I just don't see the point to be honest. We've spent years and years creating saddles that are designed to make carrying us comfortable for the horse.

 

[Tobiano]

I used to love riding bareback but haven't done it since a saddle fitter pointed out the pressure that comes through your 2 seat bones straight to the horse's back, rather than being spread properly by the saddle. I have a VERY well padded behind but the seat bones still transfer your whole weight to his back and I don't think the padding is going to compensate for that even if you have some. (Lets face it those of us with padding can still find a hard chair uncomfortable after a while - it must work the other way round too).

 

[pennyturner]

it's illegal to hack on the roads without a saddle and bridle

Tern - where do you get this from? What constitutes a 'saddle' and what a 'bridle'. How about a treeless saddle, a hackamore?
Could you quote your source please?

It is not necessary to have a saddle to be 'in control' of a ridden horse - although it may be a factor in deciding negligence if they are not. Even then, negligence is a civil matter, not a legal one.

I ride bareback quite regularly, and so far as I am aware I'm not breaking any law.

 

[Pinkvboots]

Its obvious he finds it unconfortable so why do it? Give me a saddle to sit on any day cant see the point of bareback to be honest.

 

[sasquatch]

If you horse is uncomfortable, then don't ride bareback! as good as it can be, and as nice as it is, if you horse doesn't like it then it isn't worth the hassle.

out of curiosity, what sort of type is your horse?

my cob is perfectly happy to work bareback, and in my experience I've found that in general cobs and wider horses seem to be a bit happier to go bareback than some finer horses (and I also found them more comfortable!)

 

[Tern]

Tern - where do you get this from? What constitutes a 'saddle' and what a 'bridle'. How about a treeless saddle, a hackamore?
Could you quote your source please?

It is not necessary to have a saddle to be 'in control' of a ridden horse - although it may be a factor in deciding negligence if they are not. Even then, negligence is a civil matter, not a legal one.

I ride bareback quite regularly, and so far as I am aware I'm not breaking any law.

Hello, it is the highway code. A hackamore and a treeless saddle are still saddles and bridles so of course they count..

 

[ridefast]

Have you had your back checked? Could be you're riding crooked, which isn't a problem for him with a saddle or out hacking but is highlighted when you want to school

 

[Kaylum]

Hacking is working straighter than in the school where your turning and bending more. I suspect this is the problem. Your pony is moving around more and so are you.

 

[nfpony]

Hiya, thanks for all the answers. I managed to talk to his old owner, and she said she schooled him quite a bit bareback, but with a bareback pad. I borrowed someones and he actually went really nicely with it on. Will have to invest in one

 

[kez81]

Riding in a school bareback will feel different to how you ride out on a hack. On hacks most riders tend to always be moving forwards, is horse going along straight but in a school horse has to shift his valance according to what direction his is going in and turn circles etc. This changes the distribution if your weight and some horses find it uncomfortable. I would invest in a good bareback pad such as best friend or lamfelle. My now retires 28 year old Arab spent the last four years pootling about in a lamfelle pad with a suber pad underneath for additional comfort on long hacks. Back lady was always happy he was comfortable and he only retired from riding early this year due to arthritis in his legs. I also use it to introduce youngsters to the feel of having a saddle on their backs and for the first few ridden rides.

 

[ester]

Hello, it is the highway code. A hackamore and a treeless saddle are still saddles and bridles so of course they count..

It is in the highway code but is not a criminal offence as it is not prefixed my a 'MUST NOT'.

https://www.gov.uk/rules-about-animals-47-to-58/horse-riders-49-to-55

 

[pennyturner]

It is in the highway code but is not a criminal offence as it is not prefixed my a 'MUST NOT'.

https://www.gov.uk/rules-about-animals-47-to-58/horse-riders-49-to-55

Ester, you beat me to it.

 

[ahorseandadog]

Horses dislike bareback for a number of reasons:

1. Bony Rider
2. Bony Horse that feels uncomfortable without a rider
3. Rider with a bad seat
4. Rider who grips to much

If you've ruled out those four, then I would try using a bareback pad and if your horse still doesn't like it- don't do it because there will be, most likely, too much pressure. Try doing it on another horse if you a really desperate to ride bareback.

 

[pennyturner]

I have had ponies be reluctant to make transitions etc bareback at first, because they can feel you much more directly, and aren't sure about the feeling, particularly if rider isn't perfectly balanced. They got over it quite quickly.

We had the same reaction when trying vaulting at home. Pony was fine lunging around until child knelt up on his back... then he stopped dead. I swear he trying to look after the rider.

 

[ester]

Ester, you beat me to it.

I can't afford a record for riding mine to the field in his headcollar as I would lose my job!

 

[only_me]

OP you don't need to ride bareback - and if pony doesn't like it then why do you need to?

Bill has very high withers and a short back - he is also very tall and a long way from the ground - I'm lucky that he doesn't like bareback riding as he is also very very uncomfortable to sit too! I can walk him bareback but try anything else and his ears are back and goes into his grumpy mode - luckily he dosen't try to get me off though!