What I Have Learnt Riding Bareback

I'm just back from HorseFrenzy's, which as usual, was heaps of fun. While there, I got to ride Rain bareback. It got me thinking about things I have learnt while riding horse bareback, and I thought I would share them.

Bareback riding is something that can be built up in the mind as something very scary. In fact, it's no more scary than getting in the saddle. If you don't have any experience though, like when you first started riding, its always best to start off slow.

To me, the hardest part of bareback is actually mounting, and the few seconds after that. It's that moment when you settle on the horse back, and use can feel every muscle the horse has in it's back, and it feels slippery. It's a what-have-I-got-myself-in-to moment.

Instead of panicking, settle down, and get ready for a ride!

Things to remember when you start bareback riding:

• You might need a friend to help you mount. Either a leg up, if you can't vault on, or to hold you horse as you use the mounting block. Of course, if you can get on by yourself, thats fine, but it's probably best to have someone around the first time you try riding bareback.

• The first step to becoming better at bareback riding is to relax. If you grip the horse's side with your legs, not only are your muscles tense, you horse thinks this is the sign for go. If your muscles are tense, when you relax, you will be sore. So let your legs hang free, keep your back strait, and your head up. 

• The next step is to get better at riding bareback - at a walk. Walk and cantering are the easiest ways to ride a horse bareback, but that doesn't mean your will be cantering along a beach bareback before you know it. You need to walk in circles, on trails, around the paddock, until its natural. 

• Trotting will be uncomfortable at first, but again, relaxing is the key. Let the horse rock rock you side to side, and just go with the flow. Once you can walk and trot, you will find the canter a breeze. 

• Take your first canter in a fenced space. 

• Remember that if your horse is new to bareback as well, that you need to take it super slow, because it's ver different from riding with a saddle. 

• Even if you relax, after the first few times, you will probably be a bit sore afterward anyway. Your muscles are being stretched in different place, and it might take them a while to adjust. 

• Have fun! Bareback riding allows you get get a lot closer to your horse, and it's part of bonding. 

What I have learnt:

• Don't panic. I've fallen off bareback, and its not much different to falling out of the saddle. Roll clear, and get back on. 

• Lean back slightly. It really helps your balance. I was surprised to find leaning back a tiny bit made me feel a lot more secure.  

• The feeling of daring and the edge of fear really works for me. HorseFrenzy and I gallop up hills bareback for fun. We also put up with the pig roots that may come from the horse feeling free. 

• It improves your seat when you get back in the saddle. You will find yourself sinking into the saddle deeper. 

• Never, ever go faster than a walk on the road if your horses are competitive. This comes from personal experience. Stick to a walk, even if it's slow. It's just part of not having the saddle for that extra security. Trust me. 

• When you mention 'bareback riding', people may think you are a bit weird. Ignore them. 

• The best part of bareback riding is the freedom of your legs and seat, and being so close to the horse. Nothing else compares.  

• Remember to smile in photo's, instead of having that intense look of concentration, as you focus on staying on board. 

Remember that it's supposed to be fun, so don't feel like it's something you should be doing. If your happy in the saddle, that's fine. If not - why not try it out? You may be surprised! It's really not that scary :) 

HorseFrenzy and Specs

Rain and I