Comments on: How to Ride Bareback

on 12/16/2005 I always ride bareback to improve my riding. Bareback, as mentioned before, is an awesome way to create balance and improve position. The riding position is, however, a bit different from riding in the saddle. Make sure your legs are a bit longer than in the saddle-heels down toes up as always, and try to keep your calf and below a bit looser.

Also, if you have a good seat and can handle a green or bad horse (fairly, I mean) then go ahead and give it a try. You don't need a quiet horse, just some skill. My horse isn't exactly the quietest, but I ride him bareback all the time and I have yet to fall off.

on 11/22/2005 When you are cantering bareback, it is much more comfortable for the horse and the rider (and safer to lean forward and hold the reins close to the neck of the horse. When you have to turn a corner you are more balanced and in charge of the horses mouth, also grip you legs firmly but not tightly.

on 11/22/2005 I have learned that if you learn how to ride a horse bareback before learning to ride English or Western, you will surely have a better balance and posture while riding. Make sure the first time you riding bareback to ride a more experienced horse. When cantering or trotting bareback for the first time, make sure you're ready before the horse starts to move, and that your clothing is appropriate. I wouldn't recommend wearing shorts. If you lose your balance, try gripping onto the mane and make sure your thighs are tight against the horse's body. Keep in mind not to slide too far back because your horse probably will buck you off! When making a turn, squeeze your opposite leg from the turn onto the horses back to direct them to turn. If that doesn't help, try giving them a gentle but firm kick. I would also recommend to ride with a bit or hackamore!

on 11/22/2005 If you first get a horse, don't ride it bareback. Take time to get used to the horse and how it feels. I didn't start to ride my first horse bareback until about the second year I had her. Try not to ride a horse that has a bumpy trot or doesn't have smooth gaits. You should use a bit if your horse is used to one. If the horse spooks, you will be able to pull it back.

on 11/22/2005 This is an excellent exercise for improving balance! When you go back to the saddle, you are more aware of your leg, seat, and balance. However, regardless of how tame your horse may be, there are little things that you can do to make your horse uncomfortable or annoyed. For example, I rode bareback, and when I cantered and trotted, I subconsciously tucked my toes underneath his elbow, which then caused him to buck! So, don't grip with your feet!

on 11/22/2005 Riding bareback can be a good step in calming and training a green-broke horse. Without the extra weight of a saddle the horse can focus more on you. For some horses the saddle is a scary thing, and by eliminating it the horse can adapt to being ridden in preparation for saddle training. It also allows the horse to feel your cues and movement more easily. This is not to be attempted by a novice rider! As stressed before, if you (the rider) are learning to ride bareback then a bomb-proof horse is key. If you feel comfortable at all gates (including an all out gallop), then bareback training can be a good method. I'm using it with my Mustang and it does wonders.

on 11/22/2005 when riding bareback, use a stirrup leather around the neck to hold on to, as it will stop you leaning forward, which sometimes happens if you hold onto the mane.
pay attention to your hand position, as bareback riding is all about BALANCE. keep hands level, back straight, and legs long. do not grip, or you will tense the whole of your body and unbalance yourself.
practice LOTS OF CIRCLING before trotting etc. as this will help you to lengthen legs and keep your balance. A 10metre circle is harder than trotting in a straight line. If you are not confident at trot, do it very slowly to get used to the horses movement.

on 11/22/2005 Before you get on your horse, gently rock your horse side to side till your horse spreads out its feet. This will help your horse get its balance before you get on and your horse has less chance of falling over (this works when your not riding bareback too).

on 11/22/2005 An easy way to dismount is to scramble (vault) off the horse. First you take your feet out of your stirrups (if in a saddle, bareback riders can skip this step) then you make sure your reins are out of the way on the horse's neck. You place both hands on A) the front of the English saddle
B) On the sides of the pommel on a western saddle
C)on the withers of the horse you are riding bareback.
Next you swing your legs back and forth three times to help you vault off. On the third leg swing you bring your right leg clear over the horse, while using your arms to help you out of the saddle, and land on your feet. It might be scary the first few times, but by the fifth time you should be use to it. Only really do it on a horse you can trust not to spook.

on 11/22/2005 When you ride bareback always only sit directly behind the whithers. If you sit back too far on the loins your horse will probably buck you off! When you mount, lean on the horse so your stomach is where you are going to sit (behind the whithers), then swing your right leg over. Wiggle around a little until you find a comfortable spot to sit. When choosing your mount, pick a horse that is calm, has smooth gaits, and a horse with a fat back. That will make your ride more enjoyable. If you feel like you are going to fall off, do not pull on the reins to steady yourself! Just put your heels down farther and grab the mane. If you pull on the reins all your weight will be on the horse's sensitive mouth. And remember, if you fall off - get right back on!

on 11/22/2005 The usual way to mount a bareback horse is to take a grip of the mane with the left hand, place the right hand flat on the horse's hip, and hop up with help from the hands to become belly-down across your horse's back, then swing the right leg over. If a slope is handy, take advantage. Another way (for the more athletic or agile) is to stand by the horse's head facing the opposite way to him and with a good grip of the mane, go forward and bounce hard off the left foot in co-ordination with traction on the mane. Throwing the right arm over at the same time helps to turn the body so as to land in the riding position. When young I could do this with a rifle in my right hand; the extra weight actually helps, being a sort of counter-balance. It needs some practice and a horse tame enough not to emigrate while you are in mid-air !
If no slope is handy and the second way is not an option, take the stirrups from your saddle, slide the stirrup of one all the way down to the buckle, remove the other stirrup iron completely and join the two leathers together, thus doubling the length with the stirrup iron at the buckle end. Pass the assembly over the horse's back with the stirrup at the suitable height for mounting (usual side), pass the other end behind the offside leg, forward and up the right side of the neck. You can then grip the tail-end of the leather together with a handful of mane with your left hand and mount as easily as into a saddle. You can carry the device with you easily. If you're planning to take your horse into the water, just let it enter the water and climb onto it's back when it has gone deep enough into the water.

on 11/22/2005 If you fall off, always get straight back on. The horse will try and get away with that same technique again!

on 11/22/2005 Before you ride, it is important to know the weaknesses of your horse. Ask a stable hand (or someone who knows the horse well) to find it's weaknesses and strong spots. Never ride an unfamiliar horse bareback.

on 11/22/2005 When riding your horse bareback, if you feel a little unbalanced, it is OK to hold on to the horses mane. Horses don't have as many nerves in their neck as we do. It won't hurt them to grab onto their mane.

on 11/22/2005 If your horse is rather tall (usually 14 hands and up), and you have a hard time getting on without a mounting post, use this tip. Tie your horse up with the reins or a lead rope. Have someone calm your horse (do not try this with a horse that is easily spooked). Walk away from the left side of the horse about 5 feet, then run up to the horse and vault yourself up onto its back. Once your stomach is over its back, swing your right leg over, and sit up. This is very easy, and if you need extra assistance, have someone push your right leg up as soon as you jump up. I have tried this many times, and it works.