Riding bareback

PonyMom · 12-04-2006, 08:49 AM

I have a question for all of you huntseat instructors and trainers... My daughter LOVES to ride her pony bareback. It is a real treat for her. She is fairly good at it too (pretty solid at w/t/c and over very small x-rails). I know it is good for building up her leg strenghth but will it create any bad habits for her? Is there any reason why I shouldn't let her do this? I guess that I am worried that it will affect her position and riding in the saddle.... and I was wondering about your thoughts on the subject? Thx.

KilDuc · 12-04-2006, 02:10 PM

Personally I think riding bareback will only improve her seat.. I would encourage her to keep doing it..

EquineAlberta · 12-04-2006, 02:45 PM

Riding bareback is great for balance and for confidence, but it does use different muscles then when riding with a saddle (particularly for jumping) that may interfer with riding properly down the road. In particular, often bareback riders grip with their knees, and use different thigh muscles.

The knee grip is a hard habit to get away from, and if the thigh muscles usually used to ride bareback get too big, they can interfer with being able to hold the leg flat against the saddle.

Riding bareback can also be harder on the horse/pony as the rider's weight isn't as evenly distributed over the horse's center of gravity.

Either way, I would let her continue to ride bareback if she and the pony are enjoying it, unless you see if interfering with her regular riding....after all, shouldn't having fun in a safe environment be what it is all about on a pony?

Karen2

morgansmom · 12-04-2006, 04:39 PM

Thank you for the great explanation, Equine Alberta! I never thought those muscles might interfere with sitting well in a saddle, I was just happy riding bareback was improving my balance!

Kendra · 12-05-2006, 08:54 AM

Maybe use a bareback pad with stirrups ~ that way she can have the best of both worlds.

gbarmranch · 12-05-2006, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KilDuc

Personally I think riding bareback will only improve her seat.. I would encourage her to keep doing it..

100 percent agreement - my insturctor used to make this part of our monthly training - it increases your thigh and calf muscles.. Good for her - ah to be that young and agile again - sigh

irishmusic · 12-05-2006, 09:20 AM

I encourage my students to ride bareback. It is excellent for learning how to ride the sitting trot and canter. These gaits depend on rider balance and and timing with the horse - much easier to "feel" and develop bareback, without dependence on stirrups.

PonyMom · 12-05-2006, 10:30 AM

Thanks guys for the great responses. EquineAlberta - Thanks for the tips about the knees. I will definately watch and make sure she doesn't fall into that habit when she is jumping. She doesn't jump that much anyway bareback - just real LITTLE stuff. I beleive in the "not pushing your luck" theory!!

Otherwise, I'm glad to know that this will help. It is nice to give she and the pony a break from their normal routine and have them do something different. And yes, I agree, to only be that young, agile and strong again.... When I look at her seat and balance I only wish that mine was half as good...

12-04-2006, 08:49 AM
PonyMom Halter broke Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 91	Riding bareback I have a question for all of you huntseat instructors and trainers... My daughter LOVES to ride her pony bareback. It is a real treat for her. She is fairly good at it too (pretty solid at w/t/c and over very small x-rails). I know it is good for building up her leg strenghth but will it create any bad habits for her? Is there any reason why I shouldn't let her do this? I guess that I am worried that it will affect her position and riding in the saddle.... and I was wondering about your thoughts on the subject? Thx.

12-04-2006, 02:10 PM
KilDuc Newborn Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Iowa Posts: 48	Personally I think riding bareback will only improve her seat.. I would encourage her to keep doing it..

12-04-2006, 02:45 PM
EquineAlberta Kid Safe Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 5,925	Riding bareback is great for balance and for confidence, but it does use different muscles then when riding with a saddle (particularly for jumping) that may interfer with riding properly down the road. In particular, often bareback riders grip with their knees, and use different thigh muscles. The knee grip is a hard habit to get away from, and if the thigh muscles usually used to ride bareback get too big, they can interfer with being able to hold the leg flat against the saddle. Riding bareback can also be harder on the horse/pony as the rider's weight isn't as evenly distributed over the horse's center of gravity. Either way, I would let her continue to ride bareback if she and the pony are enjoying it, unless you see if interfering with her regular riding....after all, shouldn't having fun in a safe environment be what it is all about on a pony? Karen2 __________________ New Hillside Website The Art of Praise

12-04-2006, 04:39 PM
morgansmom Weanling Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 481	Thank you for the great explanation, Equine Alberta! I never thought those muscles might interfere with sitting well in a saddle, I was just happy riding bareback was improving my balance! __________________ Where am I going, and why am I in this handbasket?

12-05-2006, 08:54 AM
Kendra Started Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Southern Ontario Posts: 2,211	Maybe use a bareback pad with stirrups ~ that way she can have the best of both worlds.

12-05-2006, 09:20 AM
irishmusic Yearling Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 602	I encourage my students to ride bareback. It is excellent for learning how to ride the sitting trot and canter. These gaits depend on rider balance and and timing with the horse - much easier to "feel" and develop bareback, without dependence on stirrups. __________________ It seems that some creatures have the capacity to fill spaces you never knew were empty. Captain Jean Luc Picard

12-05-2006, 10:30 AM
PonyMom Halter broke Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 91	Thanks guys for the great responses. EquineAlberta - Thanks for the tips about the knees. I will definately watch and make sure she doesn't fall into that habit when she is jumping. She doesn't jump that much anyway bareback - just real LITTLE stuff. I beleive in the "not pushing your luck" theory!! Otherwise, I'm glad to know that this will help. It is nice to give she and the pony a break from their normal routine and have them do something different. And yes, I agree, to only be that young, agile and strong again.... When I look at her seat and balance I only wish that mine was half as good...