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Discussion on Bareback pad and halter feels safer!
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Member:
winifred
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Posted on Monday, Jan 14, 2008 - 3:26 pm:
Hi, I'm an older rider, in my fifties, with fears that I didn't used to have. I have a paint gelding and, most recently, a 15.2 hand Haflinger pony, both of which are extremely sweet-natured horses.
Far more experienced riders than I have recommended this bit and that, and this saddle and that, but the only time I am truly comfortable on either of them is either bareback, or, better, with a bareback pad, and just reins attached to the halter.
These far more experienced riders tell me that I am insane, that I need leverage and control, but my thinking is that I would rather sacrifice leverage and control for the danger of being dragged by a stirrup: that's my big fear. Plus, it just seems so friendly, and the horse can respond to my leg. And, so far, both do.
I'm sure there's the chance that if either horse spooked and ran, that i'd stand a far better chance of staying on with a saddle but there's that falling off and getting a boot caught in the stirrup thing.
Please, if there's anyone out there who can relate, reply.
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Member:
mysi
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Posted on Monday, Jan 14, 2008 - 3:54 pm:
I can relate in a way. I feel far more in "sync" with my horse with no stirrups. When I fell and broke my ankle arm and wrist, I got back on in a leg cast (after my arm was out of one) and rode with no stirrups (but with a saddle) and never felt more secure, in control, connected...with my horse. The bare back pads are great, I don't have one that fits my horse but have used them before on friends horses. Its the same idea. As far as the bitless riding, I guess it depends on the horse, if your horse and you work well like that I think thats the ideal way to ride. Just my opinion. I rode my horse bare back in a halter in lead rope all of the time at the barn. I would have never taken him off property like that, but he was perfect in the ring and around the property. Now that he's semi retired thats the only was I get on him and walk him around my farm.
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Member:
ekaufman
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Posted on Monday, Jan 14, 2008 - 5:16 pm:
Hi Winifred,
Well, there are jointed stirrups and safety stirrups and jointed safety stirrups, and you can DrOp the stirrup bar to increase the chance the whole leather will release if you were to fall and all the above somehow failed to prevent a stuck foot. So there are many ways to make that stuck foot scenario very unlikely.
The thing that worries me about your current rigging is that it seems basically like a plan to fall off if a problem arises. Not only does that seem potentially painful to you (more so than staying on), but it would make me hesitate to ride with you, since a loose horse may endanger other people and horses. Spend enough hours on a horse, even in a padded room with white noise and soft lights, and something is going to happen.
Bridles are designed to enhance our communication and, when necessary, our control. Stirrups and saddles help us maintain our balance on the horse if the horse moves quickly, loses its balance, or does something such that its back is no longer solidly positioned under our butt. All these tools take time to master, but we have invented and modified them with the objective of staying on the horse.
I have ridden in treeless and half-treed saddles and everything else. Everything has pros and cons. But I wouldn't choose to ride out with someone who looked streamlined to bail-- too risky for me and my critters.
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Member:
winifred
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Posted on Monday, Jan 14, 2008 - 9:21 pm:
Well, ouch, I hadn't thought about it like that, Elizabeth, that I was riding as though "streamlined to bail." But I will now.
Thank you for your reply; I'll read it again.
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Member:
ekaufman
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Posted on Monday, Jan 14, 2008 - 9:37 pm:
Sorry Winifred-- sure wasn't trying to be offensive.
The stuck foot is a rare but obviously serious problem. I do think proper footgear (smooth soles please!) and some of the safety oriented stirrups above go a long way to reducing the risk. And it really is good not to fall off if you can help it.
I tried out some of the jointed stirrups. For those of use with creaky knees and ankles, they are pretty nifty even when you aren't falling off. They can be pricey, but show up on e-bay often enough. Or I have a set I can send you (mine were too big, as it turned out).
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Member:
winifred
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Posted on Tuesday, Jan 15, 2008 - 7:48 am:
Thanks, Elizabeth, I've been meaning to look into safety stirrups, but haven't ridden in a saddle enough to make it worthwhile. Actually your words made sense to me: I WAS riding defensively, I guess, ready to fall off and get out of the way. Last week I was riding in a western saddle on my very round pony, and had forgotten to put on the rubber pad first, and halfway up the hill, the saddle slipped to his stomach and down I went, and away he galloped into the woods. We were both fine, but that's when I resolved, I think, to stay away from saddles!
I'm rethinking things, though, and if you'd like to sell your jointed stirrups that are too big, I'd be very interested.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, Jan 15, 2008 - 9:58 am:
A smooth sole, jointed stirrup, riding on the ball of our foot and most important: a horse you can trust has served me and my wife and two children for a combined 90 years riding without being caught in a stirrup or serious injury. However if you are enjoying what you are doing isn't that the goal?
DrO
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Member:
stevens
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Posted on Tuesday, Jan 15, 2008 - 10:27 am:
One more thought Winifred; I've found that there are saddles and then there are SADDLES. I've sat in some saddles and immediately dismounted because they were so uncomfortable. Others were very comfortable. Maybe you just haven't found one that's comfortable for you.
For some reason, the last couple of horses I've had were incredibly uncomfortable to ride bareback, even with a bareback pad. There are some places that simply are not meant to have blisters!!
If what you are doing is working for you; why change it?
Good Luck!
Chris
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Member:
paardex
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Posted on Tuesday, Jan 15, 2008 - 1:13 pm:
Winifred I got stuck in a stirrup one of the first times I rode and was dragged along while other ponies jumped over me, and believe it or not I only had a few bruises and a mental problem with sitting on a horse . Even now if something happens and I seem to loose control I easily fall of[as if I freeze and just DrOp on the ground can't help it it just happens] and even at 51 a 'good' fall seems preferable to me then the scheme we both seem to have in our mind.
Still I agree with Elizabeth having no control of a horse or even pony is endangering the animal and other people too.
So I stay in an enclosed field if alone and fall as often as I like or ride with a friend[really Elizabeth I do not fall often my friends take me on without a problem] I do however always have a snack for the horse in case I fall and they usually stay faithfully waiting for it at my side or return to me immediately.
The safety stirrups and especially always riding with smooth sole and always just the ball of my foot in the stirrup and if I loose my balance I pull my foot out of the stirrup instead of trying to keep it on prevented a similar accident for the last40 years.
On the bareback thing, we have bareback pads over here with stirrups attached. Granted you will get blue on your legs from time to time because they can't seem to invent an attachment that doesn't hurt on a long ride but if you like the bareback feel and still want to get used to stirrups perhaps an idea?
About the bridle just grab some mane if you feel you are going to hurt the mouth if you really tug on a halter it doesn't feel nice for the horse too, and how will you ever develop 'soft' hands without a bit?
Have fun!
Jos
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Member:
winifred
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Posted on Tuesday, Jan 15, 2008 - 2:31 pm:
Thanks all of you, and thanks, Jos, for being a "bailer" like I seem to be! I'm going to work hard on thinking "STAY ON" from now, though.
Part of my current issues is that I'm changing horses. My thirteen year old paint gelding Buck and I rode around everywhere with just a halter and a bareback pad, then he got sick, and I haven't ridden him in months. I'm now trying a Haflinger pony, who is some pony! At 15 and a half hands, he's way bigger than Buck, and must outweigh him by 300 pounds. He's sweet, just bigger than I'm used to, and so round that it's hard to get a saddle to stay on him anyway.
I'm looking at a bareback pad with stirrups, that you can apparently use with jointed stirrups, which seems like it might be really good.
Good point, Jos: how will I ever develop "soft" hands without a bit? This pony's present owner used a pretty harsh one of him, and I'm now using a snaffle...but since I'm scared to get on a saddle at this point anyway, since falling off last week, it's sort of a moot point.
Talk, talk, talk. His owner is coming over this afternoon, and we'll address tack, etc.
Thanks all of you again, so much.
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Member:
erinport
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Posted on Tuesday, Jan 15, 2008 - 5:47 pm:
Hi Winifred. I'll just throw in my two cents, though I'm a far cry from a professional. I had an irrational fear of being dragged by a stirrup. Not sure why, never had anything like that actually happen, or even come close to happening. But I feared it nonetheless. I ride gaited horses, don't jump, don't run, but still... I found these things called "Toe Stoppers". You can look them up online, they're around $50 a pair, and there are multiple types, so you can find them for almost any type of stirrup (English, Western, Endurance, etc.). I love these. They don't change the way you use your stirrup, but encourage proper foot placement. They simply prevent your foot from sliding through, or getting stuck in, the stirrup. They were initially invented for steeplechasers and race jockeys, because of the severe injuries they can sustain from being dragged.
As for the round pony ... I had a very round Fox Trotter once. She was a pig when I bought her, and it took a while to get her into condition. So at first, we had a saddle rolling problem. I found a cinch that attaches to both the front and rear billets (like combining the front and rear cinches into one) that seemed to keep the saddle better balanced. Kind of like a four-point cinch? This is for a western saddle, by the way. Anyway, I also saddled my horse up, cinched her up, walked her around a few steps, and tightened the cinch. Then I bridled her, walked her around a few steps, and tightened the cinch. She had a bad tendency to hold her breath, and walking her around a bit seemed to force her to let it out. Also, because she was so fat, after saddling her, I would pick up her front feet and stretch her front legs out in front of her one at a time, to make sure there were no fat rolls caught under the cinch behind her elbows (before I'd tightened it all the way). I'm serious, she was fat. After a while once she'd lost some extra fat, this was no longer necessary. But she'd still pick up a foot to give to me after I'd saddled her, out of habit. It was cute.
Anyway, I hope this helps. If you need info about the four-point cinch, let me know, and I'll look it up for you. But you only want to use it if your horse if used to a rear cinch. Some object if they've never felt that before.
Finally, proper saddle fit (for both horse and rider) is absolutely essential! I worked for a professional saddle fitter for over a year, who specialized in trail and pleasure riding. I learned so much from her! She had customers coming to her whose horses had white spots on their withers, because they'd been riding them in semi-QH bar saddles, when they should have been in wides or extra wides. Also, be careful of flexible TREE saddles (and this is an on-going debate in the horse world, and I'm sure I'll get some disagreements). The flex tree saddles can be very painful for your horse if they're not fitted properly, and the rider is too heavy for the saddle. They collapse right down onto your horse's spine, where all of your weight will be carried for your entire ride. You want your weight over the back muscles covering the rib cage on either side of the spine. Not only on the withers, not at two points at the front and back of the saddle, not on the spine. If your horse develops white spots, your saddle doesn't fit. Period. The flex PANEL saddles are a different breed entirely (I own one myself). They can be great for multiple body shapes in horses, as long as the gullet is wide enough. Saddle fit is definitely something seemingly small that accounts for a whole lot. A comfortable pain-free horse is often a happier, more pleasant horse and a safer ride. Also, make sure that your saddle fits YOU. Sit in multiple types of saddles, try out friends' saddles, go to a store where they'll let you sit in several different types. Not all butts does a saddle fit! Men are built very different than women, and feel comfortable in different things. My saddle has a very deep seat with a narrow twist. I love it, feel very secure in it, and wouldn't trade it for the world. My husband calls it a "nut cracker" and you couldn't pay him enough to ride in it! So find what you like! A comfortable pain-free rider is often a gentler, more relaxed and safer rider!
Don't know if this helps or not, but it's something to think about. My former employer does saddle fittings from afar, by the way, so if you want her info, let me know. Not trying to advertise for her on HA necessarily, but she's good at what she does.
Erin
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Member:
muffi
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Posted on Wednesday, Jan 16, 2008 - 1:47 am:
Winnefred - I love to ride in a bareback pad - and clip reins to the halter. but like the rest on this post Only around the barn. for safety. but... I am just starting some thing new with both my guys. A neck ring. Linda Tellington-Jones and TTOUCH uses this. I didn't buy mine I made it out of old Lariat rope and Duct Tape ( I use duct tape for everything)
I use it down low on the neck to keep them slow and to collect the older horse, and then higher on the neck when he gets jiggy to slow him down. I rather pull on that then a bit. trying to keep them lite mouthed. so now I do bridle them, the reins are a safty feature ...but....I tuck the reins in the "bucking strap" on my english or clip them to the horn on my western saddle. and don't use them. I can't wait to try it on the trail. too much snow and ice right now to go off property.
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Member:
paardex
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Posted on Wednesday, Jan 16, 2008 - 4:45 am:
Winifred, the bareback pad with attached stirrups was used 'in the old days' in Holland for these very round horses because the saddles that were available at that time didn't fit. As Holland has very much Haflingers I've seen quite a few of themand they seem perfect for bareback riding because it often is difficult to find a good fitting saddle[as for Frisians there are special Haflinger saddles in Holland I'm sure there must be in the states too only perhaps the names differ]Don't forget it is rather expensive to have two saddles of good quality and with two so different horses you might have to do that so that's one reson the bareback/stirrup thing is popular. We do use with these round horses often a leather strap which goes under their tail too[can someone help me to the English word?] I do not really like it it seems uncomfortable but carriage horses use them too and the risk of a saddle going under their belly or over their head[I've seen it happen!] is often big. It keeps the thing from gliding all over the horse which ofcourse it does much more when you use stirrups.
Erin I forgot about these stirrup things but you are right they are very good!
I think using a snaffle is a very good idea not tomuch damage to a horsemouth and every other idea imo is just as good as the riders hands are so get them soft I would say!
Have fun a good Haflinger can be a perfect and versatile horse.
Jos
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Member:
winifred
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Posted on Wednesday, Jan 16, 2008 - 8:51 am:
I love the idea of a bareback pad with stirrups, and will go check them out today. The neck ring thing sounds pretty wonderful, too, Muffi: is it literally just a loose rope around his neck, that you hold onto along with the reins? Where does the duct tape figure in? I like the idea, because it would give a bit more control than just reins on a halter, but I'm not sure how it works.
Thanks so much for all your responses.
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Member:
lilo
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Posted on Wednesday, Jan 16, 2008 - 9:36 am:
I know that some bareback pads have stirrups, but I have always read that it is not such a great idea - because a bareback pad does not give the same security
as a saddle. Not my own experience - just what I have read in horse magazines. So I thought I would mention it in this discussion.
Also - I would like to try a bareback pad myself one of these days. The Parelli pad is quite expensive, but, what I like about it is that one uses a regular cinch on them. Some of the girths/cinches I have seen on bareback pads do not look as if they would hold very well. I have heard that it helps to use a saddle pad underneath, and possible a breast collar to keep the bareback pad from shifting.
Again - no personal experience, just some food for thought.
Jos - the leather strap under the tail is called a crupper - it is used a lot in the mountains with the steep ups and downs. It keeps the saddle from slipping forward on a steep downhill.
Lilo
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Member:
paardex
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Posted on Wednesday, Jan 16, 2008 - 9:54 am:
Thanks Lilo, a new word in my private dictionary!
You are right about the bareback pad with stirrups, it is difficult to keep it on its place [hence the cropper and often ponys got sores under their singles because it glides you put your weight in theother stirrup etc.]you need a good balanced seat to use it in the right way but then imo on long distances the stirrups are an addition because I do not like prolonged periods of sitting trot[?]. I noticed you have loads of horses in the states that canter so well that perhaps you trot less but remember we used the pads on oldfashioned workinghorses and shetlanders and Haflingers and fjords.
At the time I am speaking of that was what was available for riding. Now I do not want to injure anyones feelings but a canter on that type of Fjord was not really built in, small trot YES for hours hence the stirrups.I think it made the work easier on the whole on the poor animals because a bouncing weight on your back to me seems even worse then a from time to time gliding 'rider'.
Ofcourse for the good riders everything worked well bit no bit saddle no saddle
Jos
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Member:
kathleen
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Posted on Wednesday, Jan 16, 2008 - 10:39 am:
Muffi,
I too have ridden with a neck ring, but without the halter. I was inspired by Linda Tellington-Jones. It took a few YEARS to be comfortable enough to go out on trail this way and I have owned this horse since she was a yearling. I have been riding this way for approximately 10+ years and never have had a problem, even while galloping through the woods or on an open trail. I don't recommend this way of riding for everyone, but my mare loves it and actually responds better and listens to me more than with a bridle. I do ride in a saddle as I am not so comfortable bareback. For those who think that it is dangerous, I say that if a horse doesn't want you to have control, it doesn't matter whether you have a bit or not, they can ignore it (if they want), unless they are naturally prone to obedience or have correct training or if you use harsher and harsher bits. As I said, I don't recommend this way of riding for anyone who is not experienced or who is not comfortable, as the horse will sense the fact that you are unsure and will respond accordingly. I have heard of more accidents per capita with people riding with bridles than with the neck ring. Just food for thought.
Kathleen
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Member:
shanson
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Posted on Wednesday, Jan 16, 2008 - 10:59 am:
I, too, love to ride bareback and do so frequently for easy short stuff. I'm not a good enough rider though not to bounce a fair amount when riding trot and canter. And posting trot without stirrups...forget about it!
Sounds like you're having fun riding bareback so why not continue as long as you're doing it safely. Only other suggestion I have is that you consider riding lessons. A good instructor can help you regain your seat, become a better rider, and sort out issues with tack. Best thing I ever did as a rider!
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Member:
mysi
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Posted on Wednesday, Jan 16, 2008 - 12:05 pm:
I laughed reading about the saddle ending up under your horses belly. Moose is extra wide, round and witherless. And what happened to you was always a fear of mine because my saddle always slipped back a bit then to the side (one benefit-it made me focus on being centered). But I did a few things to help. I got a breast plate that attached to the girth and saddle on both sides and prevented my saddle from slipping back. Two, I always checked my girth through the ride as it loosened as we went for whatever reason. I think he bloated out on purpose when putting his girth on, just with the hopes of watching me slide off so he could laugh at me (just my theory). Both things really helped to keep me from ending up under the saddle. But lastly, once I saved my pennies (I wish just pennies) I bought a properly fit X-wide saddle and the problem was completely solved then. Nothing like a good, properly fit saddle, totally worth the investment. Only downfall to that is, two months later I semi-retired him, so now I have a super expensive saddle to go walking on trails with him ! Or I need to find another horse a big as him.
Also, as I said in my previous post, I always ride bareback with a halter (at the farm). But I would never trail ride like that. I love everyones input about bareback pads with stirrups! I think that it great, I wish I would have known about that before! I would suggest a bit out there too.
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Member:
erika
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Posted on Wednesday, Jan 16, 2008 - 12:22 pm:
Elizabeth, you have such great insight to have deduced the "riding to fall" thing! I enjoy reading your posts because they are so often informative.
Other than the reason of being afraid, I think there is no problem with riding bareback. My first horse spent the first two years I owned him with halter, rope, and bareback. Couldn't afford any more stuff but my sister and I were not going to stop riding!
Instead of a halter, have you looked into bitless bridles? Dr. Cook makes a wonderful one that I love. Wish I was good enough to do the neck ring. YOu girls are brave! It looks really cool, though, and you must have the most wonderful connection with your horse to do that!
I am curious though, about the saddle spinning, but not the bareback pad? Why would that be? A breastplate could be helpful if you wanted to use a saddle.
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Member:
ekaufman
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Posted on Wednesday, Jan 16, 2008 - 12:42 pm:
Is the neck ring the same as the (barbless) wires?
Years ago, I boarded at a barn in CA where we had an annual fundraiser where the bridleless jumpers would do a stadium demo. One year, after the event, we discovered they had left their wires behind. First we noticed that the wires had extremely sharp points that could be jabbed into the horses. Then we decided we had better test the wires to make sure they were functioning correctly before we returned them. We wrapped the barbs and flipped them up to the wither so they couldn't poke our horses.
We had a gas charging around, jumping stuff and trying to knock each other off. I would not say we had great connections with our horses-- the more we tried, the less we controlled-- but we and the horses had a great time. Of course the horses went completely crooked and mostly on the forehand, but they sure offered us speed! I suppose serious people could use them seriously, but they are a lot of fun for un-serious people.
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Member:
wolfie
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Posted on Wednesday, Jan 16, 2008 - 12:59 pm:
TRY A BITLESS BRIDLE FROM Dr Cook!!!!! It is far superior to a halter for communication and control (halters slip around too much). I had terrible biting problems with my spirited 4 yr old stud with a sensitive mouth, because he would spook and run into the bit as I was getting him back under "control". It hurt him a lot and that would upset him. (Tried many bits and different training devices including the most gentle Myler snaffles.) But with the bitless I could bring him under control quickly with no aftermath. With the bitless he brings his head up, relaxes and is wonderful! READ the comments of users on the website. bitlessbridle.com Unless you are going to compete and they require it, YOU DON"T NEED A BIT!!! There are testimonies on the site from driving trainers, foxhunters, Italian polo players, and cross country riders. WE ARE ALL JUST SO BRAINWASHED BY THE BIT TRADITION. People who have never seen or worked with a bitless are so quick to just state categorically that you MUST have a bit. They are wrong. Pain is not the way to communicate with your horse. A horse stops or turns because you want him to...not because you are forcing him to.
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Member:
winifred
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Posted on Wednesday, Jan 16, 2008 - 3:44 pm:
I so need to sort out issues with tack, Sharon.
I had meant to do that with his owner, yesterday. We had an appointment at 2, she showed at 4:45, dark and cold, and stayed 15 minutes, way too cold and dark to ride.
Anyway, I am now searching for a stirruped bareback pad, and it is wonderful to hear your input, all of you.
I have this horse until June. She's asking a lot of money, knowing that I will fall in love with him which, of course, I am.
Don't mean to get so personal, just thank you all.
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Member:
muffi
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Posted on Wednesday, Jan 16, 2008 - 5:27 pm:
Some of you guys know what the neck ring is - Kathleen - sounds like you are further along than I with it. (someday) but no it;s a Hard Lariat Rope. NO wires, NO Barbs No Pain.
the Duct tape is where I taped the rope in to a circle. I cut one lariat in to two different neck rings. I bought a used rope for about 8 bucks in Phoenix about two years ago for this. I have two rings. one singe rope and one double rope. I use the Duct Tape part as the Handle so to speak. I use the Double Ring for a bigger horse as it is thicker, and the single rope version for the smaller more advanced horse.
I also agree with Kathleen I think they like it better - even better than the bitless bridle. I bought one for my arab. he had big issues with his mouth when we first got him. I didn't know his past but made assumptions that he was yanked a lot in the mouth and was VERY head shy when we got him two years ago. He actually likes the bit more than the bitless. I think is nose is very sensitive, Hackamores (English and the soft Sheerling versions) were the first things we tried and he just would not stop tossing his head - then we bought the Bitless at the urging of the same trainer that turned us onto the ring. it worked ok for a while but he still tossed his head a lot - so we graduated to a NO Noseband Bridle with a very large easy snaffle and he is a doll.(had to find a 4 1/2 inch bit though!) Now I am putting that on but as I said earlier tucking the reins and not using it unless I feel I have to. which is less then 10% of the time, do 90 % I use the ring to guide him.
The Ring is a Non painful way of Guidance. those wires with barbs sounded TERRIBLE. poor horses.
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Member:
kathleen
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Posted on Wednesday, Jan 16, 2008 - 5:50 pm:
I just use a soft lead rope that has a knot tied where I want it and attach the lead rope snap to form the circle. You can use anything you want to use and I agree with Muffi - those wires with barbs sound horrible.
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Member:
mrose
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Posted on Wednesday, Jan 16, 2008 - 11:46 pm:
I've always heard what you are calling a neck ring referred to as a prayer rein. The ones I've seen are just a rather thin soft rope. Basically, the horse is ridden off the seat and legs and the prayer rein is just an "emergency stop" thing and to keep from falling if you loose your balance. Any really well trained horse (with a well trained rider!) should be able to be ridden with one; although I'd hesitate to use one on open trails.
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Member:
gailkin
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 17, 2008 - 7:07 pm:
I just had to add my two cents Winifred. I am 61 and rarely ride in a saddle. My horses and I are much more comfortable in a bareback pad and a leather noseband without a bit. I buy what is called a jumping cavesson on some of the horse tack catalogues. It is leather, padded with rings to attach a headstall and rings for reins. It is just like a round loop of leather. My arabs can be quite a handful sometimes, but horses don't behave because of bits, etc. The only time I ever came off of my young guy who is quite silly sometimes was riding IN THE SADDLE! We were out with my other horse and his best mare friend and my guy was just wild and uncontrollable--lots of head down to the ground with pulling side to side while trying to canter/buck to go faster, etc. When his mare started down the trail at a fast trot, he became so frantic that he stuck his head down to the ground and continued to pull side to side at the canter/buck. The next thing I knew I was on the ground which was a really hard fall on my back and a big shock since I never have come off him. After prying the reins from my hands, my friends looked at my horse who had stopped and the English saddle had pulled up over his withers and when it reached his neck, it fell sideways and I came off!! It was hanging off of his neck. It was a miserable ride two hours back to our trucks and I recovered well by using ice, etc. My point is that even in a saddle you can have problems. I finally figured out that the real issue with him was that his mare girlfriend was with us and my other gelding. He was so jealous and protective of his girl and he couldn't stand to have any other horse get near her which caused his frantic need to stay up with her. When the two of them ride together, they are both calm, and relaxed and quiet. I love riding bareback and did stay on him bareback the one time he gave me a really rodeo straight up buck, then side prong and straight up buck. A saddle would have just pitched me over his head. I have learned to "read" my horse much better and realize when he is starting to lose it. I calm him down before real trouble starts. Gail
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Member:
lsweeney
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Posted on Thursday, Nov 5, 2009 - 11:24 pm:
Hey - I'm so glad that I'm not the only old fart riding in a bareback pad with no bit. My dad didn't want me to get drug in a stirrup, so I learned to ride that way at 12, and still am at 52.
I just found the ultimate bareback pad. My horse had some white hairs, so I was looking for a solution that would distribute my weight better. Here it is - the cadillac bareback pad: https://www.aussiesaddle.com/bareback_pad.html
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Member:
sodmonst
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Posted on Friday, Nov 6, 2009 - 12:43 am:
I ride my "short route" in the evening bareback with a rope halter. HB's gait is especially smooth when I ride him bareback, and he's attentive to the rope halter. I rode bareback all the time when I was a kid, the saddle was too heavy for me then. I'm entering my second childhood, I think. The saddle is too heavy again!
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