Charliepony
Well-Known Member
Warning, childish post 
I posted a while ago about wanting to try bareback and bridleless riding 
Decided to use the older tb, as he's lazy and fat enough to not cause serious discomfort in the nether regions 
After some good suggestions on here, I have gradually been building up to it, and today we did our first session with no tack at all! I've been hacking him around the farm and neighbour's land in just a headcollar and reins, w/t/c, though more canter and walk than trot, as he has a seriously boneshaking trot!
He's been ridiculously well behaved, and really enjoying himself, to the extent that I worry there's something wrong with him as he's usually not so forward thinking in full tack. (back/teeth etc up to date but will moniter this, hoping he's just not seeing it as 'work' and so enjoying himself) Stopping has been fine, steering not so wonderful, he's a stubborn sort, but we're improving.
So today rode him in the arena with no tack! Embaressing moment when he decided to eat the hedge at the side of the arena (so some shouting and arm flapping from me) but we managed serpentines and figure of eight in walk, bit wonky but essentially there, and a jog round the outside of the arena. His stopping's amazing and he did some rather stunning walk leg yields, dead chuffed, he does rein back too on voice command, so did a bit of that, tried turn on the forehand and walk pirouette which he will do in a headcollar but hasn't quite grasped with nothing on his head, so got a rather speedy half pass across the arena, will pretend I did it on purpose.
So yes, childishly pleased I know I'm immature about wanting to do this, but it was brilliant fun, like something out of the films (though just a little less graceful 
) and don't worry, I wore a bp and hat, so all under control. It will be amazing if I can make a habit of this, will seriously reduce tack cleaning 
I posted a while ago about wanting to try bareback and bridleless riding Decided to use the older tb, as he's lazy and fat enough to not cause serious discomfort in the nether regions After some good suggestions on here, I have gradually been building up to it, and today we did our first session with no tack at all! I've been hacking him around the farm and neighbour's land in just a headcollar and reins, w/t/c, though more canter and walk than trot, as he has a seriously boneshaking trot!
He's been ridiculously well behaved, and really enjoying himself, to the extent that I worry there's something wrong with him as he's usually not so forward thinking in full tack. (back/teeth etc up to date but will moniter this, hoping he's just not seeing it as 'work' and so enjoying himself) Stopping has been fine, steering not so wonderful, he's a stubborn sort, but we're improving.
So today rode him in the arena with no tack! Embaressing moment when he decided to eat the hedge at the side of the arena (so some shouting and arm flapping from me) but we managed serpentines and figure of eight in walk, bit wonky but essentially there, and a jog round the outside of the arena. His stopping's amazing and he did some rather stunning walk leg yields, dead chuffed, he does rein back too on voice command, so did a bit of that, tried turn on the forehand and walk pirouette which he will do in a headcollar but hasn't quite grasped with nothing on his head, so got a rather speedy half pass across the arena, will pretend I did it on purpose.
So yes, childishly pleased
I know I'm immature about wanting to do this, but it was brilliant fun, like something out of the films (though just a little less graceful ) and don't worry, I wore a bp and hat, so all under control. It will be amazing if I can make a habit of this, will seriously reduce tack cleaning 
