|
|
|
Starting Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 6/5/2011 6:26:57 PM
Posts: 23,
Visits: 56
|
|
| I have recently been trying bareback riding. I am fine walking, but if you asked me to trot - well that is another story. I stink at it. I was wondering if you could give me any advice on that. There was one time though when the gate was open and my horse took off at a canter, and amazingly I stayed on, but if you do have any advice I am willing to take it! Thanks
I love my Chincoteague Pony - Ziggy <33333 
|
|
|
|
|
Advanced Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 12/31/2010 9:10:26 PM
Posts: 13,830,
Visits: 10,406
|
|
First, ask yourself if you are comfortable and can successfully master the trot with a saddle, both with stirrups and without. If you can, then just think of trotting bareback like trotting without stirrups, minus the seat support of the saddle. Don't worry about posting at all, you don't normally post while trotting bareback unless you really want to. Just sink your weight down onto your horse's back so you won't bounce around, and keep your leg in the position you would as if you were trotting in a saddle with stirrups - that means heels down, too. Don't balance on your horse's mouth with the reins. If you need something for balance, grab a handful of mane. It's really fun once you get used to it.
|
|
|
|
|
Senior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 1/5/2012 2:04:21 PM
Posts: 1,082,
Visits: 1,202
|
|
If possible, ride bback on the lunge... it will help to have someone else controlling the horse, and one less thing to worry about when you trot. Also it helps at the begininng to have a bareback pad on the horse, it gives you more gription. But most of all... HAVE FUN! now that I'm used to trotting and cantering bback, I love it 
S <3 r r a
~My darling won't you feel the sweet heaven in our endless cry... endless cry.~ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"There are no bad ideas. Just poorly executed awesome ones."
-Damon Salvatore
|
|
|
|
|
Starting Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 3/22/2010 12:12:58 PM
Posts: 20,
Visits: 24
|
|
| Trotting bareback can be hard. The best way that I think to learn is this: Forget about your form for a second. Completely relax, and sit back. Even if it feels like you are going to fall, just sit back farther and relax more. I know just how you feel. I've spent the past 2 months riding a small pony bareback, and we do a lot of trotting. Hope that helps! :)
Horse Dreamer
|
|
|
|
|
Advanced Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 1:26:27 PM
Posts: 2,103,
Visits: 3,468
|
|
I would also recommend a bareback pad. They help. If you have a smooth horse to practice on that will help as well. Just totally relax. Push your heels down. These are what I do and I ride bareback a lot. Hope it helps!!! :)
Rachel 
Thanks ArabLover37
|
|
|
|
|
New Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 7/24/2011 2:27:38 PM
Posts: 97,
Visits: 263
|
|
What I did was hold on to the mane a little bit at first. It helped me feel a bit more comfortable. But if that doesn't help, just try to sit deep. Just like you are trotting with a saddle just sit deep. Hope it helps!
|
|
|
|
|
Starting Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 6/5/2011 6:26:57 PM
Posts: 23,
Visits: 56
|
|
| Thankyou so much for the advice! I am going to try it, and I will let you know how it goes! Thanks! Liz
I love my Chincoteague Pony - Ziggy <33333
|
|
|
|
|
Average Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 12/15/2010 4:38:52 PM
Posts: 793,
Visits: 750
|
|
Yea, try trotting w/o stirrips with a saddle first, before you try trotting bback.
once you can do this then try it w/o a saddle. lean back a little farther than you normally would in your saddle. sit deep and relax.
Good Luck !
Callie
|
|
|
|
|
Advanced Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 6:13:04 PM
Posts: 22,605,
Visits: 16,125
|
|
head.in.the.clouds (4/30/2010)
Yea, try trotting w/o stirrips with a saddle first, before you try trotting bback.
once you can do this then try it w/o a saddle. lean back a little farther than you normally would in your saddle. sit deep and relax.
Good Luck ! actually, I find that sitting to my horses trot bareback is easier bareback, than without stirrups. it's easier to feel and move with the horses motion.
anyways, sit in, grab a chunk of mane if you have to, for extra balance. you'll get used to it :P
but I suppose it doesn't help if your horse has reallly bony withers xD
maybe think about investing in a bareback pad?
- Erin -
- Youtube - Formspring -
|
|
|
|
|
Advanced Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 11/22/2011 2:31:39 AM
Posts: 3,771,
Visits: 1,837
|
|
I recommend a bareback pad, for at least as long as it takes for you to get comfortable with it. And if you are only comfortable with the pad, then just use the pad. It gives you some cushion and something to hold on to.
Until then, do a lot of riding in the saddle without stirrups. With bareback, it is typically more comfortable and easier to just sit the trot, so work on that without stirrups as well.
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
|
|
|
|
|
Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 6/5/2011 6:25:31 AM
Posts: 181,
Visits: 251
|
|
What's your horse's trot like? If he's got a tiny stride, like some ponies, you shouldn't have any problems staying put. If your horse has a long, powerful stride (like my boy...) you will need to keep your horse as slow as possible for the first few times. The faster the horse trots, the bouncier it gets. Just be sure you don't tense up, which asks the horse to go faster!
You can practice trotting with a saddle and no stirrups to get the idea. Can you sit the trot well? You need to be able to stay seated at the trot (with a saddle) before you try it bareback. You must learn to absorb the movement through your back, which means staying relaxed. However, you need to keep your legs closed on your horse's sides to hold on. It requires a lot of practice to learn the right amount of muscle/relaxation. Just take a few steps at the trot for your first time, then increase the distance and speed as you learn. When it comes to bareback riding, I've found the only way to learn is just to try it. Chances are, you first time trying something new without a saddle will be pretty rough. It's a completely new thing for your body, and with practice you will soon find out the best way to cope. Also, each horse's way of going is so unique that you must learn the best way to sit and ride for your horse. Every horse I've ever ridden bareback has a "learning curve"--a few minutes where I'm figuring out how the horse moves and how I need to ride. Eventually, this becomes a subconscious thing. You won't have to think about it, just feel.
Like someone mentioned, riding on a lunge line can be a good way to start off. I don't know your riding level, but the main thing is just to keep the horse under control. Most horse's will walk with a bareback rider without any problems, but some horse's get annoyed when a rider starts pounding on their back at a trot. You know your horse and can probably guess how he'll respond, so plan based on him. (For instance, if he's calm and slow, you don't have much to worry about. But if he's hyper, be sure you ride in an enclosed area with someone around to help you out and keep him under control if he gets excited.)
Above all, just stay relaxed. If you get nervous, your horse will sense it. I hope I didn't confuse you or give you reason to overthink this. :O Just trust yourself and have fun! The only way to learn is to try it.
--Caroline
|
|
|
|