Riding bareback (sigh)

[spotty_pony]

So following on to my post from the other day about my old boy developing a sore spot close to girth area - the good news is that it is healing well, the bad news is that he was furious today at being the only one not to get to go out hacking! (Think bucking in stable, running round and round and turning bed into a pig sty) so I’m going to give in and take him on a short hack bareback tomorrow with a neck strap on just in case my thought is, does anybody do this and sit on a saddle cloth and manage to stay on ok? I was wondering if it might give me a bit more grip but I might be wrong? He is very comfortable to ride bareback but has a speedy trot and transitions are a bit hair raising sometimes

 

[spotty_pony]

Also to add, vet is coming Tuesday to do his teeth and sedate him so I can clip him and make him more comfortable so he will be angry with me again then I’m sure! perfect Valentine’s Day present!!

 

[Fleece Navidad]

I would have thought a saddle pad would just be slippier? I'd expect it would just slide if you had any weight to either side.

 

[spotty_pony]

I would have thought a saddle pad would just be slippier? I'd expect it would just slide if you had any weight to either side.

You’re probably right. There’s a chance I may slip off anyway but just thinking from all angles.

 

[splashgirl45]

When our saddles were stolen I couldn’t find a saddle for my horse as he had very high withers. I used a sponge held on by a surcingle and it stopped me hitting his withers . I rode like that for 2 weeks and it was ok

 

[Spotherisk]

Neck strap, short rides, and all cantering to be done in straight lines!

 

[Bob notacob]

Bare back puts spot loads on the back ,that's why we invented saddles.

 

[spotty_pony]

Bare back puts spot loads on the back ,that's why we invented saddles.

I wouldn’t usually ride bareback but hence the start of my post - there is a reason for me doing so.

 

[spotty_pony]

When our saddles were stolen I couldn’t find a saddle for my horse as he had very high withers. I used a sponge held on by a surcingle and it stopped me hitting his withers . I rode like that for 2 weeks and it was ok

unfortunately I can’t put a surcingle or a girth round him at the moment hence needing to ride bareback.

 

[splashgirl45]

Oh dear , you will halve to suffer then

 

[spotty_pony]

Oh dear , you will halve to suffer then

Luckily he doesn’t have much wither and is not bony to sit on so is comfortable - but he is croup high and built downhill and doesn’t have the longest neck!

 

[musk]

could you pony him out instead? or just take him an inhand hack?

 

[Spotherisk]

Lay off the coat shine when you’re grooming too!

 

[Spotherisk]

Love riding bareback, but I was glad I’d taught walk to canter beforehand!

 

[suestowford]

I used occasionally to mess around on my pony bareback. Once he bucked a few times (because there was a pole on the ground that Wasn't There Yesterday!) and although I was tipped forward I didn't come off. Usually he could send me flying by the 3rd or 4th buck when I was using a saddle. It did make me think about what I was doing when I rode as obviously there was something different, bareback to saddle. I came to the conclusion that I was lazy about my leg position when I had a saddle. When I had no saddle my leg was in a much better place.

 

[maya2008]

Do not ride with anything loose under you - quickest way to fall off ever if anything happens. You are much safer with just you sitting directly on his back.

If you ride in an outline and do transitions the way you would for a dressage test (half halt before and all that) then they should be much smoother for your bareback ride!

 

[soloequestrian]

I used to do this a lot when I was very much younger. Just went full bareback, but on nice round horses! I don't think sticky seat jods had been invented then so must have just had old slippery ones too...

 

[Winters100]

I think you will be better with nothing than with a saddle cloth. Bob is right about saddles, but I still often ride mine without, and since I am well below the weight that they can comfortably carry it does not cause them issues. I would say however that if you need to take some energy out then a short hack may not do the trick, and unless you are happy riding at speed bareback maybe better to take him alongside another if you are able.

 

[Fleece Navidad]

Love riding bareback, but I was glad I’d taught walk to canter beforehand!

And more importantly, canter to walk!

 

[ponynutz]

I've been bareback to the beach and slipped off at gallop. I'd say a harmless walk, trot (uncomfy tho), and canter would be okay.

 

[mariew]

I love bareback on the right horse. Best off with nothing under but you end up with itchy hairs in jods for days after. It's the trot to canter transitions and back again that can get a bit erm ouchy and bouncy.

 

[spotty_pony]

Love riding bareback, but I was glad I’d taught walk to canter beforehand!

It’s canter to walk that I’m worried about

 

[spotty_pony]

could you pony him out instead? or just take him an inhand hack?

I haven’t got anything suitable to lead him off and I could take him on foot but I think that will generally put him in an even fouler mood I may have to walk part of the ride anyway if my legs can’t cope for the whole thing!

 

[Splash2310]

I usually go without a saddle pad, as I’ve tried before with just saddle pad and it’s slipped off, but I did work out that I could use a lunging roller with a saddle pad underneath and that worked.

Might not help if you’ve got a sore spot near the girth though!

ETA: lunging roller done up loosely!

 

[scruffyponies]

I ride bareback from time to time. Usually it's shorter rides for fun, but a few years ago when joining a group, one of whom had forgotten their girth, I leant them mine and decided to do myself and the pony a favour by using my gilet as a pad as we were heading off to do 10 miles or so.

That day happened to be when the local steam traction club were having their pub-drive rally.
Not sure how I stayed on, as pony dashed past one steam-lorry on a steep verge and reared a few times at another. What I can say is that the pad made no discernable difference.

I think it might if you were relying on gripping, but bareback is about balance, not grip.

 

[Lucky Snowball]

I bareback daily. No pad but sticky breeches help.

 

[vam]

I ride bareback a lot, hacking and schooling. Always use a sheepskin half pad, a bit of a faff if it moves but found that the most comfy option for us both and it moves less the better, straighter and more central i sit. Its a good indicator on how badly i'm gripping with my knees!

 

[abbijay]

I do lots of bareback and find it far preferable with nothing than with a saddle cloth (even if it has a roller/surcingle on). I can school happily or gallop around without one but it's taken years of practice. The first time you trot a corner you will suddenly discover how much balance you need to stay upright. Short sessions starting in walk and using mostly straightlines will be easiest as you build your muscles up.
Just to be an unnecessary internet nosey parker; if you are hacking in the UK on the highway the Highway code requires you to have a saddle on at all times (rule 52). If you don't use one any insurance is likely to be invalid.

 

[spotty_pony]

So I went out this morning (no saddle pad, just a bridle and a neck strap!) and I can honestly say it’s one of the best rides I’ve had on him for ages! He was quite forward and wanted to gallop but I made him stay steady. The neck strap was a godsend as I could tuck one finger under it for a bit of security. I wore my sticky bum jods and they helped - although they are new and being a denim type have dyed him a shade of blue where my legs have been I felt so much more connected to him and I didn’t think that was possible to feel even more so with our long partnership but he was really listening to me, I got quite a collected canter at one point… which I’d never be able to get with the saddle on. I could use much more subtle aids and he was really listening and enjoyed it so I think it may become a regular thing - great for many balance and if he feels great then why not?! I ended up being out about an hour and thought my legs would be sore but they are fine!

abbijay - I didn’t go on the roads the whole ride was off-road.

 

[maya2008]

Sounds great, glad you enjoyed it!

If you plan to do it regularly I can recommend getting some suede full chaps - stickiest things ever and don’t dye the horse! I had a few months when my TB was young when we were saddle-less and they were v handy!