Does Anyone Trail Ride Bare Back?

Island Mist · 09-29-2009, 10:47 PM

My daughter really wants to permanently give up the saddle. Bareback makes her happiest and feeling most connected to her horse. But on a long trail ride? I know nothing about riding, and while I generally defer to her skill and judgment, she is only 10.

misstishus · 09-29-2009, 11:00 PM

I will do shorter trail rides bareback. A western saddle w/ a good pad provides shock absorption and even weight dispersal. However, for a 10 yr old girl, that probably isn't an issue. If she's a confidant rider, I don't see a problem with it. However, if she can't mount bareback from the ground it could be an issue mid-ride. She also won't have the ability to carry saddle bags/emergency supplies.

tahani z's momma · 09-29-2009, 11:06 PM

i dont trail ride bare back but i go out to the mock trial on the ranch and ride it bare back as long i can before my thighs get tired from holding on for 3 or 4 hours. there are a few people at the ranch that do though.

evelynwolfe · 09-29-2009, 11:07 PM

I ride bareback, I just throw up a pad on the long rides. i also carry a backpack with the essentials. Around the neck I put a lead rope so that when we stop I can hook up my horse to something, also to hook bags to it *I wish I had pictures to show you*. I can't tell you how much it has helped with the issue of galding on a long ride, and also on overheating.
One word of caution, do not let your daughter get a bareback pad with stirrups...I have been hung up in one because of that, not only that but they don't really help in mounting and dismounting. For mounting, find a log, that's what I do, log or a washout ditch.
Good luck!

Island Mist · 09-29-2009, 11:07 PM

She's barely 60 lbs, so you're right on that. Currently, I deal with "saddle bags" as I bike or run with her. BUt that's a good point. Hmmmm. NO such things as bareback saddle bags that kind of extend over horse without attaching to saddle?

Quote:

Originally Posted by misstishus

I will do shorter trail rides bareback. A western saddle w/ a good pad provides shock absorption and even weight dispersal. However, for a 10 yr old girl, that probably isn't an issue. If she's a confidant rider, I don't see a problem with it. However, if she can't mount bareback from the ground it could be an issue mid-ride. She also won't have the ability to carry saddle bags/emergency supplies.

Sirita_88 · 09-30-2009, 08:25 AM

maybe you could rig up a saddle bag to attatch to a bareback pad?

I ride bareback on our trails, and around at shows for excersize. But I don't think I could do it on a long trail ride, it would start to hurt lol.

If she is confident, I say let her. I would say bieng able to mount is a big concern though.

Silvercreekcrossings · 09-30-2009, 08:37 AM

Well, it's perfectly obvious....she just needs to teach her horse to get down on one knee so she can get on!

Amjzimm19 · 09-30-2009, 08:46 AM

My boyfriend is a big fan of riding bareback. For long trail rides he wants a bareback pad, and forces me to ride with his saddle bags.

Valerie62 · 09-30-2009, 08:55 AM

When I was younger (your daughters age) ... I never rode with a saddle. I would go out on the horse all day long - from morning to dark. I never had a problem getting on or staying on. I say if your daughter is confident in her riding skills and safe, let her ride bareback. You're only young once ...

Danni L · 09-30-2009, 10:10 AM

i say let her ride without a saddle. i cant see a lighter rider causing any problems. your daughter can always wear a small, close fitting pack. i've done this before myself.

Horselady44 · 09-30-2009, 10:31 AM

I say let her also,
But, just make sure the horse is sane and not spooky(I dont know the horse so just a word of caution) If the horse does spook...she pretty much is guaranteed to come off. Also, make sure she rides with a helment

When I was her age I also rode bareback everywhere...I dont think I would go on a couple hour ride these days though...

I would be one sore person!
As long as the horse is sane/safe your daughter wears a helment and possibly someone go with her...I say let her be a little horse crazy girl!

bubbleslove · 09-30-2009, 11:10 AM

I saw a bareback pad with pockets, I'll go see if I can find the link for you.

Island Mist · 09-30-2009, 11:14 AM

She always uses a helmet and an eventing vest. The horse has so far never spooked.

I really, really appreciate everyone's input- as will my daughter, since I'm going to tell her to go for it!

Laura

Quote:

Originally Posted by Horselady44

I say let her also,
But, just make sure the horse is sane and not spooky(I dont know the horse so just a word of caution) If the horse does spook...she pretty much is guaranteed to come off. Also, make sure she rides with a helment

When I was her age I also rode bareback everywhere...I dont think I would go on a couple hour ride these days though...

I would be one sore person!
As long as the horse is sane/safe your daughter wears a helment and possibly someone go with her...I say let her be a little horse crazy girl!

Crookedblaze · 09-30-2009, 11:28 AM

As long as she is light, I'd say go for it. Bareback pads would probably help for comfort. The biggest thing is to make sure the horse is comfortable with it.

I love riding bareback, but my geldings back won't hold up for a long ride. My old mare though, I just got a bareback pad with pockets and we'd go off for hours.

greygirls · 09-30-2009, 11:31 AM

You could always strap a surcingle on the horse & tie the supplies on using that. I often put the surcingle on when riding bareback. It's extremely hilly here & it helps to keep me from sliding over their necks like Fred Flinstone when going down hill. It can also act as a "Holy

handle if the horse spooks

.

Horselady44 · 09-30-2009, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greygirls

You could always strap a surcingle on the horse & tie the supplies on using that. I often put the surcingle on when riding bareback. It's extremely hilly here & it helps to keep me from sliding over their necks like Fred Flinstone when going down hill. It can also act as a "Holy

handle if the horse spooks

.

Thats a good idea

Sirita_88 · 09-30-2009, 12:49 PM

Interesting... I think girls go through a bareback phase around the same time. Although I didn't own a horse at 10 I used to go riding with my friend and she always made us ride bareback because it was just easier.... Yeah for somone who rides alot lol. She would gallop up and down the field and I would trot...some... on a very bumpy half SSH half QH... I finally went and bought my own saddle and always brought it with me to her house lol.

evelynwolfe · 09-30-2009, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Horselady44

Thats a good idea

Great idea! Then just put a blanket on underneath and wow! Instant bareback pad. I know that there are pads that are sold with pockets, both for saddles, and for actual bare back riding. Found the link for the bareback pads with pockets
http://www.horse.com/Best-Friend-Wes...Pad-WIE02.html

bubbleslove · 09-30-2009, 02:43 PM

Not quite totally bareback, but here ya go: http://www.chicksaddlery.com/page/CDS/PROD/1035/PBP915

algae · 09-30-2009, 03:20 PM

My daughter does a lot of riding bareback. She is all right for a few hours riding, but hasn't really ridden much longer than that.

A bareback pad might be a good idea as long as it doesn't have stirrups to get hung up in.

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09-29-2009, 10:47 PM
Island Mist Halter broke Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 175	Does Anyone Trail Ride Bare Back? My daughter really wants to permanently give up the saddle. Bareback makes her happiest and feeling most connected to her horse. But on a long trail ride? I know nothing about riding, and while I generally defer to her skill and judgment, she is only 10.

09-29-2009, 11:00 PM
misstishus Weanling Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 273	I will do shorter trail rides bareback. A western saddle w/ a good pad provides shock absorption and even weight dispersal. However, for a 10 yr old girl, that probably isn't an issue. If she's a confidant rider, I don't see a problem with it. However, if she can't mount bareback from the ground it could be an issue mid-ride. She also won't have the ability to carry saddle bags/emergency supplies.

09-29-2009, 11:06 PM
tahani z's momma Halter broke Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: bhc,az Posts: 197	i dont trail ride bare back but i go out to the mock trial on the ranch and ride it bare back as long i can before my thighs get tired from holding on for 3 or 4 hours. there are a few people at the ranch that do though. __________________ turn like a twister

09-29-2009, 11:07 PM
evelynwolfe Halter broke Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Southern IN Posts: 184	I ride bareback, I just throw up a pad on the long rides. i also carry a backpack with the essentials. Around the neck I put a lead rope so that when we stop I can hook up my horse to something, also to hook bags to it I wish I had pictures to show you. I can't tell you how much it has helped with the issue of galding on a long ride, and also on overheating. One word of caution, do not let your daughter get a bareback pad with stirrups...I have been hung up in one because of that, not only that but they don't really help in mounting and dismounting. For mounting, find a log, that's what I do, log or a washout ditch. Good luck! __________________ Sell the cow, buy the sheep, but never be without the horse. ~ Irish Proverb

09-30-2009, 08:25 AM
Sirita_88 Started Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Mt. Juliet, Tennessee Posts: 2,415	maybe you could rig up a saddle bag to attatch to a bareback pad? I ride bareback on our trails, and around at shows for excersize. But I don't think I could do it on a long trail ride, it would start to hurt lol. If she is confident, I say let her. I would say bieng able to mount is a big concern though.

09-30-2009, 08:37 AM
Silvercreekcrossings Weanling Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 310	Well, it's perfectly obvious....she just needs to teach her horse to get down on one knee so she can get on! __________________ Silver Creek Crossings Standing Scotch on the Rocks, FHANA Friesian Specializing in Friesian/Arab Cross http://www.excaliburbreeding.com/Rocky.html

09-30-2009, 08:46 AM
Amjzimm19 Yearling Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Viola Posts: 517	My boyfriend is a big fan of riding bareback. For long trail rides he wants a bareback pad, and forces me to ride with his saddle bags.

09-30-2009, 08:55 AM
Valerie62 Yearling Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Washington, PA Posts: 782	When I was younger (your daughters age) ... I never rode with a saddle. I would go out on the horse all day long - from morning to dark. I never had a problem getting on or staying on. I say if your daughter is confident in her riding skills and safe, let her ride bareback. You're only young once ... __________________ *There's more to life than horses ----- but NOT much!*

09-30-2009, 10:10 AM
Danni L Yearling Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Red Deer,Alberta Posts: 627	i say let her ride without a saddle. i cant see a lighter rider causing any problems. your daughter can always wear a small, close fitting pack. i've done this before myself. __________________ Rain- gorgeous grey 6 year old mustang, just getting started under saddle Guido-adorable yearling Appaloosa Sport Horse

09-30-2009, 10:31 AM
Horselady44 Started Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Montana Posts: 2,401	I say let her also, But, just make sure the horse is sane and not spooky(I dont know the horse so just a word of caution) If the horse does spook...she pretty much is guaranteed to come off. Also, make sure she rides with a helment When I was her age I also rode bareback everywhere...I dont think I would go on a couple hour ride these days though... I would be one sore person! As long as the horse is sane/safe your daughter wears a helment and possibly someone go with her...I say let her be a little horse crazy girl! __________________ A happy horse equals a happy rider!

09-30-2009, 11:10 AM
bubbleslove Yearling Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Sunny South Florida Posts: 750	I saw a bareback pad with pockets, I'll go see if I can find the link for you. __________________ Liberty has never come from the government. Liberty has always come from the subjects of it. The history of liberty is a history of resistance. ~Woodrow Wilson in love with my Bubbles boy

09-30-2009, 11:28 AM
Crookedblaze Greenbroke Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 3,264	As long as she is light, I'd say go for it. Bareback pads would probably help for comfort. The biggest thing is to make sure the horse is comfortable with it. I love riding bareback, but my geldings back won't hold up for a long ride. My old mare though, I just got a bareback pad with pockets and we'd go off for hours. __________________ Horseless for the first time in a long time. Four things greater than all things are...Women and Horses and Power and War -Rudyard Kipling

09-30-2009, 11:31 AM
greygirls Coming two Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Ontario Posts: 1,850	You could always strap a surcingle on the horse & tie the supplies on using that. I often put the surcingle on when riding bareback. It's extremely hilly here & it helps to keep me from sliding over their necks like Fred Flinstone when going down hill. It can also act as a "Holy handle if the horse spooks. __________________ I cannot avoid compassion for all that is called life. That is the beginning & foundation of morality. -Albert Schweitzer

09-30-2009, 12:49 PM
Sirita_88 Started Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Mt. Juliet, Tennessee Posts: 2,415	Interesting... I think girls go through a bareback phase around the same time. Although I didn't own a horse at 10 I used to go riding with my friend and she always made us ride bareback because it was just easier.... Yeah for somone who rides alot lol. She would gallop up and down the field and I would trot...some... on a very bumpy half SSH half QH... I finally went and bought my own saddle and always brought it with me to her house lol.

09-30-2009, 02:43 PM
bubbleslove Yearling Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Sunny South Florida Posts: 750	Not quite totally bareback, but here ya go: http://www.chicksaddlery.com/page/CDS/PROD/1035/PBP915 __________________ Liberty has never come from the government. Liberty has always come from the subjects of it. The history of liberty is a history of resistance. ~Woodrow Wilson in love with my Bubbles boy

09-30-2009, 03:20 PM
algae Weanling Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 258	My daughter does a lot of riding bareback. She is all right for a few hours riding, but hasn't really ridden much longer than that. A bareback pad might be a good idea as long as it doesn't have stirrups to get hung up in.