How to Ride a Horse Bareback
Seek the guidance of an experienced rider or instructor to supervise your foray into bareback riding., Understand that it is important to try this on the right horse., Focus on where you want to go with your eyes., Look, leg, rein., Keep your legs...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Seek the guidance of an experienced rider or instructor to supervise your foray into bareback riding.
Also, build up your leg muscle before you try bareback, especially your thighs, this will help keep you safe and make the ride easier.
Do this by practicing 2-point position and posting. -
Step 2: Understand that it is important to try this on the right horse.
Some horses throw you up higher than others.
A smooth-gaited horse with a broad back and low withers is ideal (although a horse with good-sized withers is ideal for going downhill).
Be careful of horses that startle easily; if it's your first time riding bareback you may not be able to stay safe if your horse decides to rear. , Do not look down at your horse or you may become unbalanced. , Before you use the reins to ask for a turn, turn your head to look where you want to go.
Horses are very sensitive, and when you turn your head part of your torso will turn as well, and the horse will feel it.
Once you have looked, use your legs to reinforce the balance-shift signal you've already given the horse.
After following this step, use the rein if needed. (An experienced horse feeling you look and/or use your leg will likely start the motions before you've even moved the reins!) ,, Have your instructor walk or lunge with you at first so that you can focus on balancing.
Start at a walk and stay there for several days before trying anything faster.
Practice for short periods of 15 minutes or less. , A regular saddle has a rigid frame that keeps it from sliding under the horses belly when you put pressure in a stirrup.
Using a bareback pad will still help get you used to riding without a saddle, because it gives you a better grip than the horses bare back would.
Choose a bareback pad that you're comfortable with, as long as it doesn't have stirrups.
But, what's the point of bareback if its not "Bare" back. , Your calves should touch the horse's sides but not apply pressure. , Alternatively, you can rely on the horse's mane, which will not hurt it.
Whatever you do, do not use the reins to regain your balance, as that will upset and/or confuse the horse. , This can sometimes confuse a horse, so simply loop it through the other side of the head collar to create a 'bridle' feel.
This also allows the horse to have a free mouth, and not to be so rigid. , Right by the withers.
When you canter bareback, relax your legs, sit back a little and let your body rock with the movement of the horse. , Sit up straight and make a grip with your thighs. -
Step 3: Focus on where you want to go with your eyes.
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Step 4: Keep your legs in the same riding position you would if you had stirrups.
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Step 5: Learn to ride balanced at a walk
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Step 6: and canter in a saddle but without the stirrups.
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Step 7: Consider using a bareback pad
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Step 8: but choose one without stirrups.
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Step 9: ride as you would normally.
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Step 10: Use a stirrup leather without the stirrups
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Step 11: strapped around the base of the horse's neck
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Step 12: to hold onto if you feel you may lose your balance.
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Step 13: Use just a halter/head collar to ride.
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Step 14: Sit forward on the horse.
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Step 15: When you trot
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Step 16: be stiff.
Detailed Guide
Also, build up your leg muscle before you try bareback, especially your thighs, this will help keep you safe and make the ride easier.
Do this by practicing 2-point position and posting.
Some horses throw you up higher than others.
A smooth-gaited horse with a broad back and low withers is ideal (although a horse with good-sized withers is ideal for going downhill).
Be careful of horses that startle easily; if it's your first time riding bareback you may not be able to stay safe if your horse decides to rear. , Do not look down at your horse or you may become unbalanced. , Before you use the reins to ask for a turn, turn your head to look where you want to go.
Horses are very sensitive, and when you turn your head part of your torso will turn as well, and the horse will feel it.
Once you have looked, use your legs to reinforce the balance-shift signal you've already given the horse.
After following this step, use the rein if needed. (An experienced horse feeling you look and/or use your leg will likely start the motions before you've even moved the reins!) ,, Have your instructor walk or lunge with you at first so that you can focus on balancing.
Start at a walk and stay there for several days before trying anything faster.
Practice for short periods of 15 minutes or less. , A regular saddle has a rigid frame that keeps it from sliding under the horses belly when you put pressure in a stirrup.
Using a bareback pad will still help get you used to riding without a saddle, because it gives you a better grip than the horses bare back would.
Choose a bareback pad that you're comfortable with, as long as it doesn't have stirrups.
But, what's the point of bareback if its not "Bare" back. , Your calves should touch the horse's sides but not apply pressure. , Alternatively, you can rely on the horse's mane, which will not hurt it.
Whatever you do, do not use the reins to regain your balance, as that will upset and/or confuse the horse. , This can sometimes confuse a horse, so simply loop it through the other side of the head collar to create a 'bridle' feel.
This also allows the horse to have a free mouth, and not to be so rigid. , Right by the withers.
When you canter bareback, relax your legs, sit back a little and let your body rock with the movement of the horse. , Sit up straight and make a grip with your thighs.
About the Author
Linda Young
Brings years of experience writing about creative arts and related subjects.
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