How do you ride bear back on a horse?

[farm girl]

How do you ride bear back on a horse? I ride horses and race them but i want to learn how to ride bear back so bad! When you answer this question tell me the position i need to be in also how i do it. ( for walk and trot NOT canter or jump) Also if it helps the horse is a mustang.

tell me,

, tell me!

He looks a little like this horse. But that's NOT him!

 

[rachlore]

I am a clueless klutz at horse riding

, but you have A LOT of animals!

 

[BigECarter]

It's exactly the same but without a saddle. You don't want to sit too far back on the horse's back - you probably sit a little forward of where you would with a western saddle. Instead of using stirrups for balance, you need to use your leg muscles to grip. I would avoid the trot as much as possible. Sitting is too bouncing, and posting (English style) is hard work. Cantering is much easier.

 

[punk-a-doodle]

I'm not really a fan, as the horse's spine causes me great pain in areas I really don't want pain in. A bareback pad can help with that though. I'm all about comfort with riding. Happy was the day when I tried Western. X)

But, probably the best thing to do would be to have someone show you. I have pretty severe balance issues due to chronic ear infections (even with a saddle, I sometimes end up on the right side of the horse), but was still able to ride bareback with someone actively coaching me.

 

[Redyre Rotties]

Bareback horsemanship is mostly about balance, and somewhat about leg grip. I always preferred bareback riding in short pants, as once there was a little bit of sweat happening, I had much better grip with bare legs. This is one of those things where you just have to DO it.

 

[Kirchgatter4]

Riding bareback is about having good balance and a loose seat. If you are stiff it will not be fun for you or the horse. I would start off just by walking, or have someone lunge you on your horse. Keep your legs under you not in front of you. My daughter loves riding bareback she is 12.
Have fun.

 

[Peaches Lee]

Ideally you keep the same position as if you were riding in a saddle, and not slouch like a sack of potatoes so to speak LOL! This is extremely helpful to gain balance in the saddle and develop a very strong core (abs & pelvis). I loved riding my pony bare back and one winter I wore marks in her winter coat we went out so much! It really helps you and your horse become "connected".

 

[FlaRocky]

Hi,

How trained(well broke) is your horse. Do you have access to a round pen? If you have a well trained mount and it know verble commands you are half way home. Work in the round pen at a walk. Just mount up and then let the horse walk, so you can time up and get the feel of bareback. Then start circles and such all at the walk till you get your balance. You will find the sweet spot of where you sit on the back. The movement at the walk will help put you in it.
Do you know if your horse has ever had a rider on it bareback? Some horses are ticklish when you grip with your legs. Use both upper and lower leg when you grip.

You can lookup video of people riding bareback on u-tube to see the position of their body and how to carry your frame. Just take it slow and don't try to rush it.

Can you keep us posted on how it is going?


BTW, a few years ago I scared one of my geldings. He walked up to the back porch and was bugging me while I was doing some chores. So I slid over on his back, no halter no nothing. Ask him to walk off, and he just froze. He had never been ridden bareback or no bit or halter. Asked him to go and so he walked off like he was walking on eggs. Then walked right onto the corner of the yard where the fence comes together. Buried his head in the corner and would not move. When I slid off of him he let out big exhale. Like he was saying (Whew....) He is better about it now, but it took a while. And this is a been there done that gelding. From being an champion saddleseat show horse, fantastic trail, works cows, teaches kids to ride, lesson horse, horse camp and parades.

Maye


PS. Post some photos of your progress.

 

[verthandi]

The training of the horse that you will be riding will have a strong influence on what your seat and legs will be doing while riding. I suggest you do some riding in a saddle without using the stirrups before you try bareback. Once you can ride without stirrups for support and balance, also make sure that you are not using the reins to also hold yourself in position.

I do not use my upper or lower leg to "grip" on the horse. This suggestion worries me. In my world legs are for aids and to influence direction and tempo that I want from the horse, not to hang on with.

The use of a round pen or small arena with a helper is good advice. A knowledge horse person to assist you is even a better idea. I was lucky that I actually started out riding bareback and have been thankful for that early training. It is a very freeing time spent with a horse.

 

[michickenwrangler]

I ride bareback fairly frequently. When I ride, I find sheer balance better than trying to grip with legs.