Riding bareback (without the saddle) was always something the kids did. You grabbed your pony from the field, jumped up and left.
Today we barely function without saddles. While saddles help us look pretty or be more functional, bareback riding has many benefits for both posture and confidence.
Riding bareback allows you to feel the true movement of the horse and sends the rider information that is essential for superior training. It is this same idea that correlates with English saddles having as little leather as possible between horse and rider, especially in dressage saddles, where the fins are thin and flexible.
This style is not particular to any one discipline, and all disciplines and levels of rider can benefit from it. I ride bareback one day a week, and not only does it improve my riding performance, but it also tends to sharpen the horse, as it can feel softer, more subtle cues instantly, without the interference of the leather.
Bareback also allows the rider to improve balance, strength, posture, flexibility and an added benefit of increased confidence. As the horse moves, he can feel the muscle groups respond and get a sense of where the horses feet are placed in each movement. Part of being a good rider is the ability to connect with the horse’s body and feet. Many great riders will tell you that they feel like they become one, almost like a centaur.
Cyclists are athletes. Regardless of how much riding you do, you need strong muscle groups. And strong muscles must be stretched to be fully functional. Stretching while riding bareback gives you more room to move and gives the rider a better sense of balance. It cannot be done while your legs are glued to the sides of the horses. You must be free of tension, sitting with balance and freedom.
I long
This is a great way to start and remember to use a safe horse! Some people like to use kidneys, but I find it better to strap on any gear and just focus. If the horse makes any movement that makes you uncomfortable or alarms you, get off. Too many accidents happen because the pilot stays on board. If he finds that the horse can be calm but is not suitable while he yearns, ask the handler to accompany him. Also, do this within the confines of a pen, arena, or any fenced-in area with softer soil. Never push experience with an unsuitable horse. And wear a helmet! Many falls will leave you very close to the feet of the horses.
A great exercise that will prepare you for emergencies and give you better coordination is to practice dismounting. As he walks, he places his hands on the horses neck, push himself up and swing his leg and jump down. If you do this enough times, you’ll instinctively remember it when you really need to dismount in a hurry. If the horse stops when dismounted, reward it. You want to teach the horse to stop in case you fall.
The weight (fat) of the horse will provide comfort or be a hindrance. Slender horses provide a direct relationship to the muscles, while plumper horses provide comfort. Both will get you results, and while the middleweight horse may be the best, if you have access to different body types it will only enhance your learning. Overweight horses tend to stretch their legs the wrong way and you’ll lose your true sense of balance, so use the chubby horse less often.
When you first start walking the line, focus on feeling your balance. Is it leaning to one side? Try shifting your weight until you feel centered. It also teaches you how to make contact with your sit bones. Try to ‘match’ the horse’s movements, rather than being stiff and tense. As you walk, make stop/walk transitions, again ‘feeling’ your legs under you and the muscles around them.
If you have a calm horse, close your eyes and ‘feel’: this practice will speed up the information to the brain and if you do it regularly, you will find that your improvements will come faster.
The trot and gallop
Move slowly, at your own pace through the steps. Never let anyone move you faster than you feel comfortable as you may lose all confidence and never ride again.
Often when you start to trot, you will be thrown back and forth, sending mixed signals to the horse. If you work constantly, your balance will improve faster than the horse can be damaged. Remember, everything you do with your horse is training, even trying to ride bareback! Perfect practice makes perfect.
speeding up
If you find that the horse trots slowly in a saddle, but accelerates bareback, it is probably grabbing and moving its legs back and forth. If that’s the case, he goes back to walking and regains his balance by stretching and doing more exercises. Every time you have a problem, go back to the slower steps and solve it.
Don’t use the kidneys to balance
Another problem that arises with bareback driving is the use of the kidneys to maintain balance. If you start to lose your balance, grab the mane instead of the horses mouth. A horse’s mouth is a sacred place that should never be abused, so try not to get into the habit of reaching for the kidneys.
jumping bareback
Jumping allows you to experience one of the most exciting aspects of riding bareback. Before you venture into this, make sure the horse is capable and confident over small fences and posts. Start with ground or Cavaletti poles, going from a single pole and gradually adding as you gain confidence. Eventually you can do gymnastics on the long line, but if you’ve progressed enough to start jumping, you may want to ride without the long line.
Confidence
One of the best things you will walk away with is increased confidence. Riding bareback involves a level of trust between you and the horse that riding in a saddle will not teach as deeply. There is a sense of freedom, togetherness and exhilaration that is hard to match in any other sport. As you progress, you will find that you start to learn to balance intuitively, and I always say that to walk really well, you have to be able to move intuitively rather than mechanically. The only way to accomplish this is to go out and keep doing it. It’s like riding a bike: once you learn, it follows you forever.
