Ridecamp: Re: [RC] "I can't see how bareback would help"

For those that are truly scared to death to ride bareback or with a horse
unsuitable for it another option (though not as good as bareback) is to
remove the stirrups from your saddle. You still have the security of the
saddle but without the stirrups to balance on you have to do it on your own.
My horse has a very slick summer coat. You will literally slide off him
unless he's a mudball and then you'll get filthy. The only time I can ride
him bareback is in the winter when he shags up a little. And riding bareback
does scare the heck outa me but I force myself to do it because it improves
my balance and the way I move with him. It also improves my communication
with him through my seat and legs. I fins riding bareback I have to use the
bit a LOT less. Just my observations and opinions. Take it for what you will
and ignore it if you don't agree.Jessica Spoone
Magick Morning Ranch
http://home.triad.rr.com/magickmorning/
Jessica Spoone
Independant Associate
Pre Paid Legal Services
http://www.prepaidlegal.com/go/jspoone
Protecting your family, protecting your future.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Tara Wheeler" <harpy@xxxxxx>
To: <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, August 15, 2002 11:32 AM
Subject: Re: [RC] "I can't see how bareback would help"


> > The point is, if you are having problems with your saddle moving to the
side,
> > riding bareback will help you FEEL the middle of the horse, without
those
> > stirrups to lean on.  If your seat is not great, it will improve your
overall
> > riding skills.  If your horse has crooked development, it MAY help the
horse
> > straighten out too (no promises, horses can be crooked for other reasons
than
> > rider crookedness).  You don't have to ride bareback all the time, maybe
do
> > it for a couple of weeks when you ride in the arena, then do it once a
week
> > or a couple times a month in the arena after, just to keep what you
found.  I
> > really think it makes a big difference.   jeri
>
> Jeri, thanks for having the cojones to say this.
>
> I'm going to take it one step further.
>
> I had massive saddle problems when I first got started riding seriously.
>
> I bought and sold saddles like I was doing it for a living.  Nothing
worked.
> I spent big money on equine chiropractors and custom made saddles.
>
> No one would come up and tell me to my face, but it finally came down to
the
> ugly fact that there wasn't a saddle made that would fit my horse WITH ME
> RIDING UNBALANCED ON TOP OF IT.
>
> I took some balanced riding lessons and surprise, surprise, my horse
stopped
> having saddling problems (not a thing wrong with that car but the nut
behind
> the wheel).  Now I try to ride bareback on a regular basis and take
centered
> riding lessons when I can afford them.  I'm far from perfect, but I'm
> working on it.  :)
>
> Ride bareback, ride without stirrups, take vaulting lessons, take centered
> riding lessons, but please learn to balance in the saddle without
gripping.
>
> Both you and your horse will be the happier for it.
>
> I've also noticed that once you learn how to be balanced in the saddle,
> you'll stand a much greater chance of not coming off in a wreck.
>
> Not tensing up is the key.  Gripping with your legs raises your center of
> gravity and can sling you out of the saddle.  I'm still working on this
part
> especially.    Zen and the art of riding the horse.  :)
>
>
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 Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
 Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
 Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp
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