Silly saddles!! Do we REALLY need them?!

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WishfulThinker

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Had someone come and try Beau to share yesterday and unfortunately its a no go, but she did comment that she didnt think his saddle felt right and that he had no bedn adn was not responsive to leg aids etc and had ot be driven by his mouth. I took this on board as I actually stopped her trying him early as I could clearly see he wasn't happy, and he felt slightly stiff when I rode him first, also because she was a riding instructor so I figured she had a better opinion than me. I am getting a saddler out to see him..........

But, tonight decided to ride him bareback. For the 1st time since I have lost weight and outside for the first time to - double whammy! He was so well behaved I was amased (still think someone has swapped him, but its probably the complete removal of cereals fom his diet!). He was striding out better and took a better contact on the bit (I also remembered to put his flash on and had managed to put a curb chain on his 3 ring gag). As for no responce to the aids!! PAH! All I had to do to turn was look where I wanted to go, lengthen the inside leg , shift my weight slightly and voila he turned!! Turn on the forehand? Perfect!! His front feet never moved! Even when I gave him baggy reins he did it!

I was also extremely chuffed as withut having to worry about how my weight was int eh stirrups I could concentrate on my seat and posture more and I felt MORE secure thatn I ever have in a saddle on him, so we had a trot about. Thankfully he isnt bouncy, and I was concentrating on wrapping my leg around him and visualising my back as a spring absording the movement.

I am so happy as I was feeling rather dejected last night thinking that it was all me, when Its obviously not(ok I know I do need refresher lessons).
I also felt that he seemed more trusting, maybe it was just because of being so close etc.

Have a 2nd hand wintec 500 that we will be using as we had a loan of one before and they fit him very well and he goes a lot better in it. But I am going to try and ride bareback at least twice a week to develop my seat more.

We are heading out on a hack a tthe weekend up to a track where the kids go for a fast canter so hopefully the curb will do the trick and we can actually canter out ona hack without me pooping myself!

All in all I had a very good day, and feel a lot closer to Beau.
Just feel like thins
 
We were getting so frustrated with the antics of our bigger welsh that we tried a "total contact" saddle. This is basically a leather roller with stirrup attachments to be used with a gel pad and numnah. Magic change! All the benefits you were finding but with the extra security of the stirrups if necessary.

Daughter has taken him to pony club rallies and for SJ and flatwork training in it and it causes raised eyebrows but she's managed perfectly well. Even jumped 3' grids!

We now take him for training in his proper saddles but we hack him out in the total contact and his topline has developed greatly. It's great for improving rider balance and awareness of what the horse is actually DOING with its back and muscles.

btw - when we had the demonstration iwe were told that it was important to keep you head held well so that your eyes were looking at the horizon as the head is heavy and will unbalance you, turning is as you say but to slow down lift your chin!
 
I have been riding bare back for over a year now and my seat and leg position have improved soooo much!!! I find my mare goes much better too, much longer stride. I am lucky as she is very comfortable but she is also much better behaved. I still hack out, school and take her cantering. Keep up the bare back riding you'll both feel much better for it!
 
Hey! There you are *waves*!
Welcome to the forum.
Can't add anything about riding bareback - you know how traditional I am
grin.gif
 
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