Ridecamp: 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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