After years of riding horses, I can tell you that there are all kinds of different riding styles and options. One way to ride is to go bare-back, or without saddles. You will need to know a few things before you jump on a horse and try to ride bare-back.
Saddles? We don't need no stinking saddles! It's true, your horse doesn't need a saddle on his back for you to ride him. Horses have been around for a lot longer than saddles have. Remember, the saddle is only a tool to help the rider. If you think of it this way it might help: If the saddle is a tool, then the horse is the machine; toss out your tools and see what that machine can really do! Why not get back to basics and ride him as he was intended. Riding bare-back is a feeling like no-other and everyone should give it a try. There is however, a certain skill when it comes to riding bare-back.
Have you ever seen someone, whether in real-life or on television that gets on a horse and as the horse takes off, they hop and bounce all over his back? I'll be the first to admit it, it's amusing. Unfortunately it's also painful; on them and the horse. There is one thing they're doing wrong though; they're not matching themselves up to the horse's rhythm. Your horse has several different gaits that he will go through, from a casual walk to a full-out run. But let's cover getting up on the horse first, then we'll discuss what you need to do once the motion starts.
One of the things about getting rid of your tools is that it can leave you standing next to your horse without a saddle on and wondering, "How am I supposed to get up there?". Ah, gotcha. No saddle means no handy little saddle horn to grab onto, doesn't it? The easiest way to get up onto your horse is to grab a handful of mane, down close to the end by his shoulders, and use it to help leverage yourself onto his back. You won't be pulling on the hair, just using it to help keep your balance when you're hopping up! So, standing on the left side of the horse, grab a handful of mane and hop, throwing one leg over. If you've never done this before it may take a few tries to get the smooth motion of grab; hop; sit.
Saddles? We don't need no stinking saddles! It's true, your horse doesn't need a saddle on his back for you to ride him. Horses have been around for a lot longer than saddles have. Remember, the saddle is only a tool to help the rider. If you think of it this way it might help: If the saddle is a tool, then the horse is the machine; toss out your tools and see what that machine can really do! Why not get back to basics and ride him as he was intended. Riding bare-back is a feeling like no-other and everyone should give it a try. There is however, a certain skill when it comes to riding bare-back.
Have you ever seen someone, whether in real-life or on television that gets on a horse and as the horse takes off, they hop and bounce all over his back? I'll be the first to admit it, it's amusing. Unfortunately it's also painful; on them and the horse. There is one thing they're doing wrong though; they're not matching themselves up to the horse's rhythm. Your horse has several different gaits that he will go through, from a casual walk to a full-out run. But let's cover getting up on the horse first, then we'll discuss what you need to do once the motion starts.
One of the things about getting rid of your tools is that it can leave you standing next to your horse without a saddle on and wondering, "How am I supposed to get up there?". Ah, gotcha. No saddle means no handy little saddle horn to grab onto, doesn't it? The easiest way to get up onto your horse is to grab a handful of mane, down close to the end by his shoulders, and use it to help leverage yourself onto his back. You won't be pulling on the hair, just using it to help keep your balance when you're hopping up! So, standing on the left side of the horse, grab a handful of mane and hop, throwing one leg over. If you've never done this before it may take a few tries to get the smooth motion of grab; hop; sit.
Comments
Knatchwa
(Guest)
(Guest)
07/28/2008
An interesting view, as I have just really started researching this it is interesting to note so many individuals have experience with it. Good to learn something new don't you think?
I used to love riding bare-back when I was young! Good article!
Good tips.
Comments 1 - 3 (of 3)
|
|