Ridecamp: Re: [RC] grip with their calves

Guess I have to disagree with that. I do a lot of bareback riding. Have in
the past. Do now. I rarely touch my horses with my calves. I use below my
knee for cueing only. I "hold on" with my thighs. I still have fits riding
in a saddle. One of my "things" is to consciously relax my thighs so I'm not
gripping at a trot. In a saddle, gripping with my thighs translates into
scars from rubbed off skin. Bareback, the constant contraction and
relaxation of my thigh muscles translates into balance and a good seat. (No,
I don't think about it, I just do it...)

I do agree that not every horse is built and/or meant for barebacking. I
have 2 grey Arabian geldings. My 13 year old free lease, Serts, is perfect
for barebacking. Round, low withered, extremely smooth gaits. When I ride
him, I forego the saddle and just ride bareback. I have a bareback pad (NO
STIRRUPS..please don't get me started on that) that I use with a 1/4"
non-slip pad underneath, but sometimes I'm even too lazy to get that out.
Depends on how much I'll be annoyed by having sweat on my pants.

Anyway, my 8 year old (he's mine, I bought him), Tanna, can be ridden
bareback. But he's narrower, higher withers, and spooks more often and more
violently than Serts. And his trot is bouncier than Serts'. So I rarely go
bareback on Tanna. Have been known to do it, though.

I have seen several horses that I wouldn't even attempt to ride bareback.
The one that comes to mind is the late Baru. I remember seeing her on my
first endurance (ok, LD) ride and agreeing without a doubt with Carla that
she was not built for bareback riding.

I love riding bareback. But I also love riding Tanna. So I ride in a saddle
on Tanna and bareback on Serts. I'm lucky to have such good horses!

April
Nashville, TN


----- Original Message -----
From: "sharp penny" <penelope_75647@xxxxxxxxx>


  Those of us with horses that have a very high backbone
shudder at the thought of attempting to ride
bareback...ouch!!!!
  Interesting enough, people that do a lot of bareback
riding have a tendency to grip with their calves...a major
no no in any discipline of riding.


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