Re: Bareback effects on the horse

["Susan Brehm" <RockingB@worldnet.att.net>]

April,
I hope people will post to ridecamp about this, I'm also
interested in opinions and ideas.  There's a web site about
saddle fitting by Ray Miller    www.saddlefitting.net    and
he shows several examples of scans (using the pad with
pressure sensors) of poorly fitting saddles, including one
bareback.  He claims that riding bareback is very bad for
the horse's back.  I'm not sure I agree.  I know the scan
shows significant pressure points, and there are people who
report that their horse is very uncomfortable when they ride
bareback.  But there are many people who ride their horses
bareback with no problems.
My interest is this:  I'm having a terrible time finding a
saddle to fit my horse (wide and flat on top).  So I finally
worked up the nerve (I'm the biggest chicken in 5 states) to
get on bareback.  What do you know, he's going great!  No
more uneven gaits, no more running out from under me, no
more biting the cinch strap on the bareback pad.  I've
ordered a Sports Saddle (finally it will be here next week)
and although Ray Miller also says they're bad, I'm thinking
that this may be the only saddle that works for me and my
horse.  My confidence bareback is growing every day and I
would consider a 25 miler bareback eventually (OK, it's
almost cheating -- my horse is gaited) unless it's not
allowed.  But I'd like to hear other opinions.

SusanB


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