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BeckyBoodle
Gold Member
 Australia
795 Posts |
 Posted - 26 Oct 2010 : 3:19:31 PM
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Hi
I have wanted to ride Eba bareback for ages, but haven't, and actually haven't ridden bareback since being a teenager. They don't seem to do it at all even with the kids where I am - probably health and safety. Thing is I am thinking how to get started.
I assume it is not dissimilar to getting her used to the saddle and being ridden in it, but wondered if anyone had any hints and tips for getting going and in general.
I feel a bit of a fool for asking, but somehow I seem to have built this up to being a big thing in my mind.
B
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Kelly
Platinum Member
England
1571 Posts |
Posted - 26 Oct 2010 : 4:36:20 PM
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Hi Becky
I think you have built it into a big monster 
I would start by having her in a nice secure and safe area, and doing a bit of groundwork together so you're both in the right frame of mind. Then do just as you would with a saddle - but without it!
Have a mounting block so you're not leaping/scrabbling on her back, and get her to stand nicely while you lean over, rub both sides, wriggle about etc. Then put one leg over and get on, and sit quietly! Really is that simple 
Get off and repeat a few times, building up to actually moving.
She might react that it feels different to having a saddle on, but should soon get used to it if you stay calm. It helps if you can stay reasonably balanced - I tend to find stickability is far better if they're wearing a turnout rug - might be worth a thought |
Kelly
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Callisto
Platinum Member
6905 Posts |
Posted - 26 Oct 2010 : 4:47:50 PM
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| Also probably a good idea to have a helper standing at her head - it will give you confidence and would be safer, until you know how she reacts. I'm sure you'll be fine |
  Zahkira (GR Amaretto x Taffetta)
Linda
East Sussex |
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Slave 2 Magic
Gold Member
England
1023 Posts |
Posted - 26 Oct 2010 : 5:16:59 PM
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I hadn't ridden bareback since I was a teenager until earlier this summer. I was spending alot of time riding without stirrups and decided to try without saddle. Magic is fine bareback and you do get to develope a balanced seat. It's either that or slide off!! We haven't tried canter yet though as she has a tendancy to buck.
Give it a go. It's fun. |
West Yorkshire
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Honeyb060674
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4301 Posts |
Posted - 26 Oct 2010 : 5:47:40 PM
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Riding bareback used to be an essential part of learning to ride. My RI used to work on the reasoning, if you can do it with a saddle you must also be able to do it without!
I would regularly hop on Honey coming to & from the field, or just if I was feeling lazy & couldn't be bothered with tack..I'd hop on headcollar & rope.
It's a lovely feeling (boney withers permitting!) being so close to your horse & I think everyone should try it.
Great advise from everyone here. Go for it! |
      
Claire & Sunny x
http://sunnyandclaire.blogspot.com/ |
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Kharidian
Platinum Member
England
4297 Posts |
Posted - 26 Oct 2010 : 9:56:51 PM
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Ooh yes, I love it! I tend to only ride Roger bareback when bringing him in on a headcollar (if he's MILES away at the other end of the 45 acre summer fields) or on the lane when the boys are in the winter fields. I must admit I either have to get on from a raised block or ask Roger to stand in a ditch as I'm not as agile as I used to be.... and a couple of times I have mounted whilst he was laying down and he has got up with me on board which is a bit cheeky
Caryn |
Kharidian (Prince Sadik x Khiri)........ Alkara Cassino (H Tobago x Rose Aboud)
aka "Roger".................................... aka "Chips"
     
The first image is from an original painting by Pat Shorto.
South-East Essex |
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Cinnypony
Gold Member
1160 Posts |
Posted - 26 Oct 2010 : 10:07:27 PM
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Have done more bareback riding this summer than in my whole ridden career - mainly due to Cinny post op/recovery being fine to ride, but not to put a girth on.
Did as Kelly said - tried in safe area first and then had some lovely rides in the Forest - she's an angel bareback and it's a lovely feeling.
Good luck and enjoy it! |
    
Cinnabar Moth --------------- -----------CF Matilda ----Red House Gaia
Susi
https://www.facebook.com/CinnabarEndurance/ |
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Kazhak
Silver Member
Australia
352 Posts |
Posted - 27 Oct 2010 : 06:57:27 AM
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lol..
when I was a teenager I backed my own horse on my own.. had helped my dad for years before that but this girl was my first alone project, I rode her for 5 years straight without a saddle, didn't see why I needed one, I could jump bareback, canter, trot & gallop & go up & down steep hills..
nowadays I'm a little less gung ho but still enjoy riding bareback, for more security & comfort for both horse & I, I use a backback pad, & a bunch of saddle blankets, gives me a bit more of a feeling of security & not so many ouch I'm sitting on a fence kinda feelings lol
if your horse has never been ridden bareback I'd suggest starting out slow in a safe secure area & possibly with some supervision but other wise take your time & stay calm.. |
     
Last Picture Taken by Matt Bennet |
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impy
Bronze Member
108 Posts |
Posted - 27 Oct 2010 : 07:10:58 AM
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| I keep having a go, he seems to enjoy it actually - it's amazing you can feel ever muscle. Good idea to have a neck strap - just in case |
West Yorkshire
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Arachnid
Platinum Member
England
1872 Posts |
Posted - 27 Oct 2010 : 09:13:15 AM
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The children in my new yard all ride bareback which is admirable except that I would point out that one of them has broken her collarbone doing it... Please be careful.
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West Sussex |
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Quarabian
Platinum Member
Wales
4340 Posts |
Posted - 27 Oct 2010 : 09:52:54 AM
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I am a big believer in bareback riding as you may have seen from previous posts. I echo what others have said. Do plenty of leaning over your horse's back. As long as you turn your horse's head to the side where your legs are you can slide off safely. You will know when he/she is comfortable enough to pop your leg over. I have to use some kind of assistance for this, mounting block, gate, ditch, but you might need to spend time preparing your horse to stand beside things.
The crucial bit is when you are sitting astride, try not to sit up on your seat bones. Sit a bit slouchy and soft. You can even put your palms on either side of the withers for stability. When you are soft through your bum you can feel so much of what your horse is doing. Imagine walking with your seat as he pushes each seat bone forward alternatively, but don't force it, let it happen.
Incidently, I am still not brave enough to canter bareback! It will happen by accident before long though |
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Valentine Arabians
Gold Member
United Kingdom
586 Posts |
Posted - 27 Oct 2010 : 11:59:30 AM
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You should get in touch with "Milotkha"...that is how she started backing her mare, as she didn't have a saddle and it has worked a treat. Mila now does have her own saddle and was absolutely no problem to bring on.
Liz |
Liz & Walter Downes
www.ValentineArabians.com
Lincolnshire |
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joanna_piana
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
3935 Posts |
Posted - 27 Oct 2010 : 12:25:26 PM
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| I just scrambled up on Ishara one day and she stood like a rock, she continued to stand like a rock and said I cannot move with you sitting on me like that LOL She did eventually follow her field mate down to the field but I must say I felt most precarious and haven't tried it again! Have fun i'm sure you'll be fine |
      
Harthall Rashida RIP, Binley Ishara, Bouchan
Chorleywood, Hertfordshire |
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geegee
Platinum Member
England
3682 Posts |
Posted - 27 Oct 2010 : 1:01:40 PM
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I backed my mare, bareback and didn't put a saddle on for ages. In fact, the first time I actually sat on her was when she had her rug on!
Once we got going I then used a bareback pad.
Over quite some time - I started by grooming her from a height, then asking her to stand next to the mounting block, then standing still whilst I would lean over, to leaning over completely and letting her take a couple of steps to then swinging my leg over and gradually sitting up.
I often ride my gelding bareback, when I kept him at a livery yard we had a long walk up from the field and so I always jumped on with just a headcollar and lead rope.
It's so nice to feel so connected to your horse.....Hope you get to experience it with Eba  |
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oliviaw
Bronze Member
202 Posts |
Posted - 27 Oct 2010 : 8:50:22 PM
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I often ride Tilly bareback, especially in winter when your fighing against loosing the light and it seems a waste of time to be tacking up
I love it, can canter, jump (small) etc.
Make sure your horse is well groomed first or youll end up with the white dusty legs look, that i often have!
Have fun!
xx |
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BeckyBoodle
Gold Member
Australia
795 Posts |
Posted - 27 Oct 2010 : 10:42:56 PM
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I shall have to find a willing helper not adicted to health and safety, get a neck strap and see what she makes of it. Given that she has taken everything else in her stride, I assume she will take this too. The mad arabian so far has failed to deliver the goods and is yet to have a funny turn, although whatever we do new excites and audience which then soon gets bored. Never mind, she is just happy to be loved and fussed by everyone for being such a pretty and sociable horse.
B |
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Bareback riding - getting started
