Horse Talk

[abigalerose]

Most horses I have ridden don't act any differently bareback, sometimes they are a little startled because a butt feels different to them than it does through a saddle, but once they get used to the feeling they are usually fine. What specific issues are you having?

I know this isn't what you meant, but sometimes my mare won't go whenever I'm not in the saddle, I could kick the crap outta her if I wanted, and she'd just stand there. It's because I've worked her so much with the saddle on, that she thinks it's rest time when it's off. But if I get on her bareback I tap her with the riding crop while giving leg cues and she's much better at responding now.

Sorry I wasn't really clear, I don't have horses or ride atm sadly I jist more never understood how people got the horse to move with no reins. I guess the leg feels the same though? You just use the same leg pressure/cues you would in a saddle? But then even if you get them to go, how do you get them to turn different directions and stop, etc?

And second what @Kusanar said, you have to have a really well trained horse to ride tackless, if they're trained to stop when you lean back, turn based off of which leg you squeeze them with, go by squeezing both legs, and back up by leaning back and tapping up by their shoulders with your feet, then you don't need any tack.

So I guess you just gotta trust your horse and your horse has to trust you?

And trust can be a big part of it, for me I won't ride any other horse but June bareback, I tried riding the big mare I use to have bareback and I barely walked her faster than a snail and I was shaking with nerves. I can trot all around on June bareback and I'm fine (can't lope yet because bad balance). But I have to use a bridal and reins still because June is still technically green and doesn't know all the commands without them

 

[TheKindaFarmGal]

Hi everybody! I don't have horses, but I love them and reeeeally want to get some one day. I have a little experience with them and riding is one of my favorite things to do, even though I don't get to much.

Anyway, hope to learn as much as I can from all you experts!!

 

[abigalerose]

(Only about the forty-seventh time this video has been linked to here, I'm sure . . . .) As captivating as the horse is, try to watch the rider. At one time. Stacy described Roxy as "a rocket . . . with a whole lotta buttons." That's basically what she is doing, hitting the buttons with her seat and legs. Though they call the discipline Reining, the reins really don't come into play when the horses are at this level of competition.

Yay. Favorite video lol. This always gives me inspiration

 

[ChickenMama6RIR]

Hi y'all! Peepersmama and thekindafarmgal

 

[PeepersMama]

Wassup buddies

 

[TheKindaFarmGal]

Wassup buddies

Nothing.

You?

 

[PeepersMama]

Nothing.

You?

Sitting in my cousin's future house, listening to her and mom talk

 

[TheKindaFarmGal]

Sitting in my cousin's future house, listening to her and mom talk

 

[ChickenMama6RIR]

Nothing much. I just came out of the library with some books

 

[Kusanar]

So I guess you just gotta trust your horse and your horse has to trust you?

In my opinion, the horse has to respect you in order for you to trust him. So, the horse has to respect, and you have to trust. Honestly, there is nothing frightening to the horse about being ridden tackless, so the horse really needs no more trust than to ride any other way, less actually, there is no way you can FORCE the horse to do anything when tackless, so the horse is "safer" in his mind than if you had a saddle and bit.

Horses don't like feeling trapped, the less control over a situation they have the more they will freak out and fight. Most bucking is caused by horses trying to go too fast as green or young horses often use speed to help balance) and then someone telling them to slow down but stay in gait when they aren't ready, so they feel like they are being told to speed up and slow down at the same time... so their reaction is often to get confused or frustrated and start bucking (going UP) since they can't go faster and they can't go slower, up seems like the only option they have.