Ride bareback, or not at all?

Nocturnal

Nocturnal

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After having B's saddle checked and reflocked in March, I noticed the other night that the darn thing is sitting on his withers again! Called the saddle fitter + she's coming out on Sunday. He has no other saddle atm, and I don't want to ride in it when it's so low at the front. Would you ride bareback, or not at all?

He's a TB - 16.2hh. Used to be a nutter, but now quite sane; just a bit of a boy racer! I guess I'm wondering if people will think I'm crazy for schooling bareback!

Also, does anyone have any experience of saddles/horses changing shape so quickly? I find it odd, as if anything the horse is more muscled and a bit fatter than in March.
 
My aunt in an old school BHSI - back in the days when if you weren't in tears by the end of a lesson you hadn't worked hard enough!

Anyway - she always says if you can't control and school your horse without a saddle you shouldn't be riding the horse in the first place.

So, no, you aren't mad for schooling without a saddle but you might need a saddle pad on a TB for comfort :p

Incidently - I'm utterly useless at bareback riding these days - got too used to my saddle! :D
 
You could try riding bareback and if ok then carry on if not could you lunge/long-rein to keep him exercised. Iv just sent my saddle off for repairs and its not coming back for two weeks:(, luckily i am borrowing a saddle which fits, or i would be trying to ride bareback.
 
I brought my boy back into work after box rest with no saddle because it didnt fit properly so i would say just get on with your schooling if your comfortable riding bareback
 
I used to ride my TBs bareback when I was younger (I'm too old and stiff to be able to do it now).

Or, you could lunge him. That will maintain his fitness and topline, especially of you use something like a pessoa.

I have a TB that changes shape a lot throughout the seasons and also if he has to have a couple of weeks off, say for an abcess or something. Have a look at the Thorowgood High Wither T4 saddles with 3D (fish) inserts and the changeable gullet system. They are a good investment as a second saddle for high withered horses like mine who tend to change shape a lot. They are synthetic and lightweight and quite economical, so ideal as a second saddle for those times when the good saddle isn't siting well, or when it's away for flocking, etc.
 
Misinterpreted said:
Have a look at the Thorowgood High Wither T4 saddles with 3D (fish) inserts and the changeable gullet system.
Click to expand...

:D This is the offending dressage saddle. I've ordered a new Albion jump saddle, which is currently being made, so am now dreading getting this home and finding that it no longer fits! I also lunge him in the John Whitaker version of the pessoa, but as he's had quite a bit of time off lately, I don't really want to give him the days in between off too, as the schooling takes a hit.
 
If you get a thin roller, girth and numnah you can use it as a bareback pad type thing for a bit more comfort and stability :) Surcingles are crappy as they just shift backwards usually.
 
Borrow a bareback pad, soft suedy type material that you sit on and non-slip underside that goes on the horse. With a handle at the front. No stirrups obviously, but great for keeping you on the horse rather than sliding/ejector seating off and also gives a bit of impact protection from a thoroughbred's sharklike wither.
 
Unfortunately, no one at my yard rides bareback, so I doubt I'll be able to borrow anything. I have a lunging surcingle that seems to stay in place, but it sits snugly behind the withers, and I had my eyes on that spot :p

I'll just get on, and if it feels like I'm coming off I'll just stop :)

Wish I had padded underwear, though... !
 
I did on my 4yr before he was turned away (after I sold his other saddle that didnt fit well enough) people did think I was crackers given what he's like and that he'd not been ridden for a while but it was actually quite nice, good bonding time even if your just walking and doing some lateral work etc
 
i ride mine bareback when waiting for the saddle to be reflocked, he changes shape about every six months ! I use a surcingle of my show rug and a numnah to give grip. I find mine actually goes well bareback and was less spooky hacking out! Mine hates treeless saddles otherwise I would go down this route.
 
I'm having problems with my saddle going forward at the mo where Prince has changed shape so I'm riding bareback while i wait for the saddler to come - it's quite fun!

If i need a new saddle which i suspect i do i may have what your looking for for sale. x
 
Well, I did! :) Kneed him in the bum whilst getting a leg up, which put the wind up him a bit, but he soon got over it & was as good as gold after that. Could only walk though, due to TB boneyness, but got some schooling done in the lateral movements. Great fun too - thoroughly recommend it :D

And yes, the whole yard thought I'd finally lost my marbles!

Gina - Thanks for the offer, but his current saddle fits him well, when the flocking's right, so I'll persevere with it :)
 
Lol!! Prince isn't too bad to get on as he's only 15hh!! Glad it was fun though!

Saddler has just been and made the albion wider anyway so it's not for sale now!!! Saved me a bit of money!
 
I ride bareback once a week to work on my balance. I started off walking and trotting down the farm drive and leg yeilding.

Then I made a big mistake at the start of one of my lessons with Dark_Knight, by telling him what I have been doing and that I would like to school bareback in the manage.. so he said, right, lets have a go now. I did a whole lesson bareback in walk and trot. leg yield and shoulder in. Mick was amazing, he just softened straight away.

I even carried on trotting when his stable mate walked past the manage and mick was whinneying and showing off.. Brave me.!

edited to say. It really improved my seat and stickability when I went out to a comp.
 
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I rode bareback for 3 weeks whilst my saddle was away being re fitted. I even went round the farm ride at Somerford and noone gave me a second look for going bareback.
 
Am glad I read this...my TB is coming back into work after 6 months (rather prolonged rest after taking his shoes off!) & I know there is no chance saddle will fit until he is fitter. I have been considering hopping on bareback - am hoping the extra weight he is carrying will make for a more comfortable ride!
 
Give it a go, Doris :) Though for a TB I'd recommend getting a bareback pad, as even with extra weight, I'd imagine he's got a boney wither! I found my horse was much easier to round up bareback as well, and I was able to give clearer leg and seat aids, which made a big difference to lateral work. So now I'm wondering if close contact saddles are the way to go??
 
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