Bareback Horse Riding
Bareback horse riding is one of the most rewarding experiences that we can share with our beloved equines. There’s nothing more special than being as close to the horse as we can be, and experiencing the bond of mutual trust and respect that being without a saddle requires. Riding bareback, when done correctly, offers a wealth of benefits to both horse and rider, as it leaves the horse with more freedom, and provides the rider with greater contact area, as well as the opportunity to further develop balance and proper reining techniques. However, riding bareback has its share of challenges and dangers, making it vital to understand how and when it is appropriate to ride your horse bareback style.
The most important consideration in bareback riding is the rider’s safety, which is greatly compromised without a saddle. When riding bareback for the first time, many equestrians are shocked at how easy it is to be bounced off the horse when moving at a gait any faster than a very slow walk. This is because there are no knee pads to provide grip and support, no stirrups to lock the heels into place, and no seat to correct balance and posture. In order to compensate for these issues, it is a wise idea to practice for bareback riding by riding in a saddle with no stirrups, and by riding with just a pad and perhaps safety stirrups. Also, there are certain leg exercises that can be done to strengthen the ankle muscles, as riding bareback still requires the heel to be down, just as is the case while riding in a saddle. Other exercises that strengthen calf and thigh muscles should also be considered, as clutching at the horse with one’s legs can send the wrong signal, causing the horse to take off at a faster gait.
When riding bareback, it is all too easy to forget technique and use the reins for balancing. This is a very bad idea, as it gives the wrong signals to the horse, and may even damage the mouth. Additionally, when being bounced around on the horse’s back, it is quite natural to place one’s hands on the animal’s neck or back in order to steady oneself. This is also an incorrect technique when riding bareback. Instead, it is perfectly acceptable to grab onto the horse’s mane, without pulling on the reins while doing so. A horse’s mane is very strong and can provide a point of balance when needed, and will not hurt the horse in any way. Even better still is to develop proper balance and posture both in the saddle and bareback, so that the legs can be appropriately used to maintain balance.
Equal in importance to rider safety is the horse’s safety. Riding without a saddle puts direct pressure on the back and spine, which may prove uncomfortable or possibly even damaging to the horse. Saddles are designed with support trees that offer better displacement of weight across the back, and keeps pressure entirely off of the spine when fitted correctly. Additionally, anyone who has ridden bareback will likely agree that it is far more exhausting to both horse and rider than riding with a saddle and pad. Therefore, bareback riding should be done infrequently, and for short durations.
When considerations for safety and comfort have been made, bareback horse riding is still an extraordinarily pleasurable experience. Having full contact with the animal allows one to communicate in entirely different ways than when in the saddle. Leg cues are ever so slight, and simply turning one’s head can guide the horse in the right direction, as without a saddle, the horse can actually feel when a rider’s head turns. Being able to physically feel the raw power of the shoulders and back muscles as the horse moves enables one to better appreciate the relationship between horse and handler. This often results in a feeling of utter respect and awe for the horse, as bareback riding instills in even the most experienced horseman the fact that, in the end, we as humans are really at the mercy of these large and powerful animals.
