Does Anyone Trail Ride Bare Back? - Page 2

Horsie Michelle · 09-30-2009, 05:18 PM

Got my first horse at 7 and Dad scraped together for that so didnt have a saddle for almost a year. Anywhoo I'd trail ride four hours...and I mean from 2:30 getting off the bus until dark-many times after dark. Even now at 30 I prefer to ride bareback and do so 90 percent of the time...I even prefer to do at least the first dozen or so rides when I'm "breaking" one bareback.

I'd say if she's comfortable let her go at it. Maybe she'll change her mind after the first long trail ride and has to "feel the burn" on the backside in the shower

. I've read some suggest using pro cyclist underwear to prevent that...haven't tried it yet myself but it makes sense.

singing tree · 09-30-2009, 07:48 PM

Oh yeah... didn't have a saddle as a kid - just hopped on my rollie pollie shetland and went. (At least she had alot of mane to grab) Did an awful lot of trotting too, since my girl was a trained cart pony and just knew she was not supposed to canter. You had better believe I learned to stay on! I finally did teach her to canter - I though I had hit the jackpot that day, after all that trotting!! Mom never did like the dirty seat problem, so sometimes I threw a blanket or rug on underneath. And yes, I have excellent balance to this day, saddle or no saddle. It may not look pretty, but I generally stay on! Let your girl go for it!

RockHorseRanch · 09-30-2009, 10:21 PM

My one friend rides her mare everywhere bareback at all gaits too, even on hilly terrain.

Another friend rides her geldings bareback, sometimes with a bareback pad, sometimes without.

These are ladies in their 40's tho who have a lot of experience - I'm in awe!!

Island Mist · 10-01-2009, 12:04 AM

Thank you all. I've enjoyed these posts so much!

Carri · 10-01-2009, 12:44 AM

Anna is 10 also, and she LOVES riding bareback. She has homework from her trainer of 20 minutes of no stirrup trotting a day, she usually does it bareback on Cricket. Oddly, Dream will not let her ride bareback on him at all, he doesn't like it. I tell her it's because she is too bony!

equine.trailrider · 10-03-2009, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Does anyone trail ride bareback?

Not on purpose! I have forgotten my cinch/girth on a few occasions and was forced to ride long trail rides bareback if I wanted to ride at all. I didn't mind too much because I have a fairly good seat but after a couple hours, it doesn't feel too great. I like riding up and down hills bareback.

paso_lover · 10-03-2009, 07:22 AM

Me, yes I have but having an 11 yr old daughter that rides I would NEVER allow her to trail ride bareback. I use to let her fart around on our property but when she fell at the end of our driveway cuz her pony spooked, my husband (who BTW is not her father) put his foot down and told her no more. He doesn't want to see her getting hurt for no reason cuz for the most part, you can sit a spook but without a saddle most of the time you can't and had she been using a saddle she wouldn't have fallen and gotten hurt.

paso_lover · 10-03-2009, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carri

Anna is 10 also, and she LOVES riding bareback. She has homework from her trainer of 20 minutes of no stirrup trotting a day, she usually does it bareback on Cricket. Oddly, Dream will not let her ride bareback on him at all, he doesn't like it. I tell her it's because she is too bony!

This I understand but would you let her go off trail riding?? Homework is one thing but what she is asking has to do with all the hidden "monsters" horses see out on the trails.

jjsimsez · 10-03-2009, 09:04 AM

my daughter rides barebare around the house.when trail riding ill let her if we are on close trails or to just hop on and ride around camp by herself.but on the long trails no.mostly cause her pony is a spirited get up and go type.loves to run.we run alot on trails.if her pony was more laid back id let her ride bareback all day if she wanted to.i used to ride bareback alot.now im much heavier than the good ole days.ive heard heavy riders riding bareback isnt good for the horses backs.or id do short trails bareback too.was alot of fun.my little bareback rider is 9.

Horse Show Mom · 10-03-2009, 09:05 AM

My daughter who is 12 not only goes out bareback but sometimes she and her girlfriend go out bareback double on Magic. She says that Magic is comfy either way, with or without a saddle. Heck I have to try to keep her to the small jumps when she is on him bareback. I once joked with her trainer that they should offer blanket classes in the winter because she rides and jumps him when he is just blanketed, all over the place.

ahabarabs · 10-03-2009, 12:31 PM

I ride bareback tons, including trails, but not real long trail rides usually, some horses are certainly more comfy, to ride bareback than others, depending on their withers, and movement, I ride a lot of Appendix's, and tb's, bareback as they are quite smooth/comfortable, but I have to post the trot, as I do not feel secure bareback with lengthened trot sitting, and I have ended up with bloody/raw "private's" from their withers, I have tried padding with maxi-pads, but they only help a little.

arabiancowgirl · 10-03-2009, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahabarabs

I ride bareback tons, including trails, but not real long trail rides usually, some horses are certainly more comfy, to ride bareback than others, depending on their withers, and movement, I ride a lot of Appendix's, and tb's, bareback as they are quite smooth/comfortable, but I have to post the trot, as I do not feel secure bareback with lengthened trot sitting, and I have ended up with bloody/raw "private's" from their withers, I have tried padding with maxi-pads, but they only help a little.

And that is exactly why I don't ride my big withered TB

.

Slim Pikkens · 10-03-2009, 01:20 PM

Rode bareback all thro teens. Learned to post bareback. (developes upper leg muscles like steel). We had to, the horses were thoroughbreds Rode bareback a lot, even on 4 hr trail rides as one particular horse was built for it. I used his saddle maybe half a dozen times a year. Don't worry about her bum digging in, most horses would rather that than a saddle. And bareback riders wiggle around more getting comfy. Teach her to swing her butt and legs up on the horse by holding the mane. A kid with a skinny butt usually picks this up pretty quickly.

Stormy's Human · 10-04-2009, 02:27 PM

I'm so envious of anyone that can ride bareback!

Horse poor · 10-04-2009, 02:57 PM

Rode bareback all my life since I was to lazy to wait long enough to saddle the horse first. I could swing up by holding the mane so had no need of rocks or ditches. Push come to shove I would let her eat and then throw myself on her neck, she Would put her head up and I slid to her withers and sat up. I never had bloody "privates" when riding bareback because I used my thighs tohold myself where I wanted to ride.

Let her go for it and enjoy the freedom. Because of riding bareback I can sit a horse doing a straight sideways shy and a spinning shy with rarely any problem. It really makes for a secure seat.

Cutter'sGirl · 10-04-2009, 03:23 PM

i ride bareback as much if not more than in a saddle..and love it..I have a paint horse and he has a great back for it..i cant get on my myself unless i put him on a hill or ditch or stand on something..I have went on trail rides for multiple hours bareback..I once on purpose "forgot" my saddle so i could ride bareback..I normally will just carry a backpack..it has givin me incredible balance in the saddle and out. I actually do better bareback when I practice the gymkhana jumps then in a saddle..and ride all gaits. And can ride spooks out much easier now..even in the saddle. I beleive it has made me a much better rider. and builds great muscles.

ahabarabs · 10-04-2009, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Horse poor

Rode bareback all my life since I was to lazy to wait long enough to saddle the horse first. I could swing up by holding the mane so had no need of rocks or ditches. Push come to shove I would let her eat and then throw myself on her neck, she Would put her head up and I slid to her withers and sat up. I never had bloody "privates" when riding bareback because I used my thighs tohold myself where I wanted to ride.

Let her go for it and enjoy the freedom. Because of riding bareback I can sit a horse doing a straight sideways shy and a spinning shy with rarely any problem. It really makes for a secure seat.

The raw "privates" come from posting an extended trot for more than a few minutes on a high withered horse, after a while of bony wither hitting/rubbing the crotch, will make the toughest ones sore!!!

merleliz · 10-04-2009, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stormy's Human

I'm so envious of anyone that can ride bareback!

Me, too! Did it a lot as a teenager on a round little pony, but not any more, Ty's too fat and my legs are too short...but it was the greatest feeling on earth.

Amy · 10-05-2009, 07:04 PM

You can sit a spook bareback, it's just harder. Actually, I've fallen so many more times learning to trot bareback than from an actual spook... thank god for my short arabian. I do find that a bareback pad and suede half-chaps really help my stability... I had a broken saddle for a couple months so I did all my riding bareback. It really helps, I sat spooks, bucks, and bolts... came off a few times too though. But kids are bouncy, I'm sure she'll be fine.

I was riding bareback today to work on my "independent seat" and a garbage truck came around the corner... my old guy just flicked an ear at it and kept on walking... but the drainage ditch, now THAT was scary!

For anyone who wants to ride bareback, I say find a short horse and just get on... you will fall, and fall, and fall again, but if you're in an arena it doesn't hurt too bad... anyway, sliding off from poor balance is not the same as getting thrown, lol...

rivherrat · 10-05-2009, 08:49 PM

I just got back for the second time this year taking my friend to the emergancy room . We were riding the trails and went by a farm with horses and her horse spooked at them running toward her and she fell off. She is an experienced rider and was riding bareback. She landed on her head and had 3 staples put in head. She bought a helmet this spring and couldn't find it. I have ridden bareback, but dont plan on it again i think.

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09-30-2009, 05:18 PM
Horsie Michelle Yearling Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Summerfield, FL Posts: 910	Got my first horse at 7 and Dad scraped together for that so didnt have a saddle for almost a year. Anywhoo I'd trail ride four hours...and I mean from 2:30 getting off the bus until dark-many times after dark. Even now at 30 I prefer to ride bareback and do so 90 percent of the time...I even prefer to do at least the first dozen or so rides when I'm "breaking" one bareback. I'd say if she's comfortable let her go at it. Maybe she'll change her mind after the first long trail ride and has to "feel the burn" on the backside in the shower. I've read some suggest using pro cyclist underwear to prevent that...haven't tried it yet myself but it makes sense. __________________ ~~"All that we love deeply becomes part of us" ~~ Helen Keller

09-30-2009, 07:48 PM
singing tree Long Yearling Join Date: May 2009 Location: Hartville, Ohio Posts: 1,025	Oh yeah... didn't have a saddle as a kid - just hopped on my rollie pollie shetland and went. (At least she had alot of mane to grab) Did an awful lot of trotting too, since my girl was a trained cart pony and just knew she was not supposed to canter. You had better believe I learned to stay on! I finally did teach her to canter - I though I had hit the jackpot that day, after all that trotting!! Mom never did like the dirty seat problem, so sometimes I threw a blanket or rug on underneath. And yes, I have excellent balance to this day, saddle or no saddle. It may not look pretty, but I generally stay on! Let your girl go for it!

09-30-2009, 10:21 PM
RockHorseRanch Newborn Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 45	My one friend rides her mare everywhere bareback at all gaits too, even on hilly terrain. Another friend rides her geldings bareback, sometimes with a bareback pad, sometimes without. These are ladies in their 40's tho who have a lot of experience - I'm in awe!!

10-01-2009, 12:04 AM
Island Mist Halter broke Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 175	Thank you all. I've enjoyed these posts so much!

10-01-2009, 12:44 AM
Carri Pasture Pet Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Alpharetta, Georgia Posts: 13,652	Anna is 10 also, and she LOVES riding bareback. She has homework from her trainer of 20 minutes of no stirrup trotting a day, she usually does it bareback on Cricket. Oddly, Dream will not let her ride bareback on him at all, he doesn't like it. I tell her it's because she is too bony!

10-03-2009, 07:22 AM
paso_lover Kid Safe Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sudbury Ontario Canada Posts: 6,679	Me, yes I have but having an 11 yr old daughter that rides I would NEVER allow her to trail ride bareback. I use to let her fart around on our property but when she fell at the end of our driveway cuz her pony spooked, my husband (who BTW is not her father) put his foot down and told her no more. He doesn't want to see her getting hurt for no reason cuz for the most part, you can sit a spook but without a saddle most of the time you can't and had she been using a saddle she wouldn't have fallen and gotten hurt. __________________ "Some people feel compelled to cut off the heads of others in order to make themselves appear taller" ---Paramahansa Yoginanda

10-03-2009, 09:04 AM
jjsimsez Yearling Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: indiana Posts: 815	my daughter rides barebare around the house.when trail riding ill let her if we are on close trails or to just hop on and ride around camp by herself.but on the long trails no.mostly cause her pony is a spirited get up and go type.loves to run.we run alot on trails.if her pony was more laid back id let her ride bareback all day if she wanted to.i used to ride bareback alot.now im much heavier than the good ole days.ive heard heavy riders riding bareback isnt good for the horses backs.or id do short trails bareback too.was alot of fun.my little bareback rider is 9.

10-03-2009, 09:05 AM
Horse Show Mom Halter broke Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Central, NJ Posts: 188	My daughter who is 12 not only goes out bareback but sometimes she and her girlfriend go out bareback double on Magic. She says that Magic is comfy either way, with or without a saddle. Heck I have to try to keep her to the small jumps when she is on him bareback. I once joked with her trainer that they should offer blanket classes in the winter because she rides and jumps him when he is just blanketed, all over the place.

10-03-2009, 12:31 PM
ahabarabs Weanling Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: indianapolis, indiana Posts: 487	I ride bareback tons, including trails, but not real long trail rides usually, some horses are certainly more comfy, to ride bareback than others, depending on their withers, and movement, I ride a lot of Appendix's, and tb's, bareback as they are quite smooth/comfortable, but I have to post the trot, as I do not feel secure bareback with lengthened trot sitting, and I have ended up with bloody/raw "private's" from their withers, I have tried padding with maxi-pads, but they only help a little.

10-03-2009, 01:20 PM
Slim Pikkens Seasoned Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 4,047	Rode bareback all thro teens. Learned to post bareback. (developes upper leg muscles like steel). We had to, the horses were thoroughbreds Rode bareback a lot, even on 4 hr trail rides as one particular horse was built for it. I used his saddle maybe half a dozen times a year. Don't worry about her bum digging in, most horses would rather that than a saddle. And bareback riders wiggle around more getting comfy. Teach her to swing her butt and legs up on the horse by holding the mane. A kid with a skinny butt usually picks this up pretty quickly.

10-04-2009, 02:27 PM
Stormy's Human Coming two Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Seville, Florida Posts: 1,757	I'm so envious of anyone that can ride bareback!

10-04-2009, 02:57 PM
Horse poor Started Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Idaho Posts: 2,776	Rode bareback all my life since I was to lazy to wait long enough to saddle the horse first. I could swing up by holding the mane so had no need of rocks or ditches. Push come to shove I would let her eat and then throw myself on her neck, she Would put her head up and I slid to her withers and sat up. I never had bloody "privates" when riding bareback because I used my thighs tohold myself where I wanted to ride. Let her go for it and enjoy the freedom. Because of riding bareback I can sit a horse doing a straight sideways shy and a spinning shy with rarely any problem. It really makes for a secure seat. __________________ Stop telling God how big your storm is. Instead tell the storm how big your God is.

10-04-2009, 03:23 PM
Cutter'sGirl Halter broke Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Northern CA Posts: 75	I say go for it! i ride bareback as much if not more than in a saddle..and love it..I have a paint horse and he has a great back for it..i cant get on my myself unless i put him on a hill or ditch or stand on something..I have went on trail rides for multiple hours bareback..I once on purpose "forgot" my saddle so i could ride bareback..I normally will just carry a backpack..it has givin me incredible balance in the saddle and out. I actually do better bareback when I practice the gymkhana jumps then in a saddle..and ride all gaits. And can ride spooks out much easier now..even in the saddle. I beleive it has made me a much better rider. and builds great muscles. __________________ If life hands you lemons, put them in your sweet tea and thank God your a southern belle.

10-05-2009, 07:04 PM
Amy Yearling Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Chino Valley, AZ Posts: 562	You can sit a spook bareback, it's just harder. Actually, I've fallen so many more times learning to trot bareback than from an actual spook... thank god for my short arabian. I do find that a bareback pad and suede half-chaps really help my stability... I had a broken saddle for a couple months so I did all my riding bareback. It really helps, I sat spooks, bucks, and bolts... came off a few times too though. But kids are bouncy, I'm sure she'll be fine. I was riding bareback today to work on my "independent seat" and a garbage truck came around the corner... my old guy just flicked an ear at it and kept on walking... but the drainage ditch, now THAT was scary! For anyone who wants to ride bareback, I say find a short horse and just get on... you will fall, and fall, and fall again, but if you're in an arena it doesn't hurt too bad... anyway, sliding off from poor balance is not the same as getting thrown, lol...

10-05-2009, 08:49 PM
rivherrat Weanling Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Iowa Posts: 255	I just got back for the second time this year taking my friend to the emergancy room . We were riding the trails and went by a farm with horses and her horse spooked at them running toward her and she fell off. She is an experienced rider and was riding bareback. She landed on her head and had 3 staples put in head. She bought a helmet this spring and couldn't find it. I have ridden bareback, but dont plan on it again i think.