Riding bareback is one of the most freeing experiences a horseback rider can have. It removes the primary separation between horse and rider—the saddle—and promotes communication via the seat and thighs.
To ride without a saddle, however, a rider must be comfortable in his or her abilities. Fear of falling off or slipping around can lead to anxiety on the horse's back, and an accident is more likely to happen when the rider is not confident. When riding bareback, it helps to pretend as though one's feet are in the stirrups.
Don't Bathe
Balance is important when riding bareback, but all the balance in the world isn't effective when sitting on a slippery surface. Never bathe a horse before riding without a saddle because jeans, breeches and even bare skin will slip around.
However, it is important to groom a horse thoroughly before riding bareback. Hacking around without a saddle is not an excuse to ride the horse dirty, and irritants can still cause blisters, cuts, scrapes and burns without a saddle. Use a curry comb and brush to make sure the saddle area is free of dirt and other particles.
Use the Fence
A leg-up is the best way to mount a horse before riding bareback, but if no one is available to give one, a fence is the next-best thing. Using a fence to mount gives sufficient height to swing the leg over the horse's back, whereas a normal mounting block does not.
Consider Leg Position
The natural tendency when riding bareback is to stretch the legs as long as possible to wrap around the horse's barrel. This isn't always the best bareback leg position, however, especially if the horse has extremely high withers. For horses that are naturally built "uphill" or who have harsh withers, bring the knees up around the point of the shoulder for the best grip.
If the horse is build "downhill", however, it is best to stretch out the legs when riding without a saddle. This is similar to the way a bull-rider positions his legs and will help maintain the optimum center of balance.
Slump a Bit
When riding bareback, it is acceptable to forgo traditional horseback riding form and slump a bit on his back. Reason being, slumped shoulders lowers the center of gravity and helps sit every gait without a saddle. Keep the chin up, however, and the elbows close to the sides.
It also helps to round the back when riding bareback to follow the shoulders. "Sit on your pockets", as they say, and let the hips shift forward. This will help absorb the motion of faster gaits and will maintain contact with the horse's spine.
Take it Slow
Bareback riding is something for which it takes a while to adjust. Trotting, cantering, jumping, running barrels, sliding stops and other feats are possible without a saddle, but it takes time to build up to this point. Just getting on and walking around bareback for a while is a great first step.
Laura Thompson - Laura Thompson is a horseback riding instructor and freelance writer living in Houston, Texas. She is proud to be the feature writer for ...
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