riding bareback

[fatpony]

Is it legal to ride on the roads/bridlepaths bareback? I remember reading somewhere that the horse/pony had to be under full control and this included wearing appropriate tack. I`m guessing it might affect your insurance.

 

[Cuppatea]

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_069853

 

[Cuppatea]

dont think its a law as it not saying 'you must' in bold but think its very advised and yeas would probably affect insurance - if they can wiggle out of payiing they will!! Have to say though that i have ridden bareback on roads (albeit quiet village roads) many times without a second thought.

 

[fatpony]

thanks - well found
though it says never ride without both saddle and bridle - could interperet that as fine to ride with one but not the other!! wouldnt want to ride on a road without a bridle.

 

[badgerdog]

I've ridden my steady as a rock horse out bareback a few times when he had a sore and I couldn't put his saddle on. I didn't feel unsafe at all and was fully in control.

When I was a kid (in the 70's, before the health and safety police!) me and my friends often went out for 3 - 4 hour long hacks to the beach in the summer, bareback. I never felt unsafe then either, it's just what we did.

 

[Rose Folly]

And look at it this way - at least bareback you can't be dragged if you're thrown.

Used to love riding bareback, but then I got a toastrack, closely followed by a kitchen table!

 

[fatpony]

Well I have a very comfortable horse to ride with very comfortable paces and rock solid attitude. Just wondered if I was being a bit reckless as he is very precious.

 

[Oldenburg]

I love riding bareback! Only used to hack on a really quite road as tom was a star!!

I used to ride my old horse Thomas all the time when i was waiting for my new saddle to come!!

Dont think i will try it with larry might end up in A&E lol

 

[xloopylozzax]

I hack out bareback regularily

never gave it a second thought

 

[proctor]

It's in the highway code, that riders are not to ride on the road without proper tack and equipment. My hubby is also a policeman and he informs me that yes, it is officialy illegal.

(I still do though! Shhhh)!!!!

 

[freckles22uk]

I ride bareback sometimes on my mare Freckles, but I dont have to do any roadwork, but on the stallion Harley, nope, even though he is quieter to ride than his mum,(freckles) just incase we meet other horses, as we have never met any on a hack yet (well except in fields) and he didnt bat an eye,

but when I was young I would often ride bareback