Riding a cold backed horse bare back & Quantum savvy?

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Stormhillpilgrim

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Hi there,
Is this a totally insane idea or not?
My boy seems to be cold backed when he decides he wants to be and I was bucked off after just buying him and getting on for the first time.
He can still be a pickle to mount and always walks off as soon as you are on and he sometimes humps and skips for a minute or so after I have just got on.
Can you ride cold backed horses bare back as it seems to me it's the saddle his issues are mainly with as he pulls faces at it (professionally fitted by the way and regularly checked). Or am I lilely to die?
Also I will be starting Quantum savvy training with him this weekend and partof that is riding in a rope headcollar rather than a bridle - do you reckon this also might kill me?
Thanks
 
All of this is possible with proper training, but I'm not sure that Shane and Meredith would want you to start their training programme with a horse that has issues and get yourself killed LOL!
The answer is yes, to both, but with the right preparation. Also it depends on the reasons why your horse is cold backed. If you prepare properly, riding in a rope halter shouldn't be a big deal. Are you going to get any hands-on help?
 
How slowly do you do up the girth? How long do you leave the saddle on for before you get on? Are you doing any work to teach him to stand still?

Sorry, so many questions!

He might be happier bareback, as you will be warmer than a saddle/cloth :cool:

Heat lamp before tacking up seems to work quite well, as does regular use of a massage pad.

What is the 'Quantum savvy training'?
 
It is fairly similar to Parelli, but they have been away from Parelli for a while so I don't know if they have moved away from the harsher aspects of the training. As with all of these things, use your judgement and they can be useful.
Op, I have a little group of people interested in many aspects of nh-style work in the South East, if you are interested pm me.
 
Instead of spending money on Quackery, why don't you sort out his evident saddle issues.

Would I ride a likely bucker in a rope halter - NO.
Will the horse be ruined & learn it can buck the rider off - YES
 
Personally I would be wary of riding a coldbacked horse bareback following our experience with our mare who is cold backed.
She is incredibly sensetive (hence cold backed) and could not cope with feeling every slight move (weight change) of the rider.
She got very panicked by the whole experience, I think becuase she couldnt grasp that every little move she felt wasnt an aid. Lets just say we got a very active half pass across the school
 
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Being cold backed is a reaction, not the horse being bad. However, the horse may learn bad things from it - such as how effective a quick buck is!!!

It is therefore - and normally - possible to find a management routine .... To help 'ease' or warm the back before you get on.

I think you are on the right lines and it really is a matter of trial and error, but maybe try lunging him before you ride bareback for the first couple of times, then you will be able to contrast the difference between riding bareback with/without being lunged and can move forward from there.


Good luck.
 
siennamum said:
Would I ride a likely bucker in a rope halter - NO.
Will the horse be ruined & learn it can buck the rider off - YES
Click to expand...

My horse is cold backed (especially during the winter) and does all the things the OP described. He's not a likely bucker. He has bad days, good days and better ones.

OP, I have ridden mine bare backed before and he was fine, it was just uncomfortable! But remember that all are different. Re. being cold backed, I lunge him before I ride almost every time, doing a walk/trot/canter on both reins until I can see him relaxing. I then start off really slowly when riding. Although some days I can tell when he's just taking the biscuit!
 
Having ridden a 'bucker' (actually he was just protesting that his saddle didn't fit) bareback while his saddle was being reflocked I'd say it would be best to have some company around that first couple of times. I did it alone in the dark on an isolated yard, but that isn't a good plan!

Horses remember pain very clearly and so even if yours is more comfy without the saddle he might still react badly the first few times as he expects it will hurt. Also be aware that your position and balance and confidence will change so you may/may not actually be comfier and more relaxing for him to start with at least.

More generally I'd say you need to get a vet to look at his back and legs as well as (another?) saddler to check out the fit. He sounds like he is in pain from somewhere and sorting that, together with a lot of positive mounting and riding experiences will be a long term solution.

Bareback is fun though so a good skill to have for later!
 
Hi all, thanks for the input - some interesting responses!

Tickles - Hiya, yes have had 3 really good saddle fitters check saddle and all fine! Am thinking about sending him for back and hock x-rays. He has seen physio and chiro and has improved since - they can't find any serious issues!
Think deff some of it is pain memory from before I had him. Only had him 8 months.

BarbarNcolin - Hiya, yes I lunge too the same as you, 5 mins on each rein in walk, trot and canter! Sometimes makes a difference, sometimes doesn't - funny boy!

Canteron - thank you.

Degan - you are right will probably not risk tha bareback thing for a while!

Tinypony - Have pmed you. :)

siennamum - QS is free as my friend/yard owner is big into NH and is helping me for nothing - whoop! :D

MrsMozart - I use an equilibrium massage pad on a 30 min warm up programme, put saddle on with loose girth, finish grooming, girth up one, boots, girth up one, down to school and lunge, finish girthing, stratch legs then on! I also use sheepskin pads only on him and sheepskin girth sleeve - spoilt boy, lol!
Mounting is much better than when I first got him. Started with just taking him to the block and praising him when in correct place, then onto him doing that with me standing on the block - I would not get down from it if he moved would just bring him round me till he was in the right place again - then praise! The moved onto foot in stirrup - then weight in stirrup, then leaning across back without sitting up.
I don't have to do anything like that now as he is nowhere as bad and sometimes fine but, there doesn't seem to be any ryhme or reason as to when he'll be a pickle! Still I'll persevere. Of course the sellers didn't mention cold back or any of this - surprise, surprise! :(

Think I will not do bareback but will do the QS rope halter as whether it's a halter or bridle if he decides to bronc it's not going to make a whole lot of difference. I might add that he hasn't bucked me off since first time and has only bronced once since then but, I stayed on! But, if anyone else tries to ride him .......SEE YA!!!!

Thanks again - sorry for the essay. :D
 
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