Bareback riding involves riding a horse without a saddle, and is usually only performed by experienced riders. It can be faster and more convenient for short distances, but can be dangerous for horses. Beginners should start by removing stirrups and using a bareback pad before trying completely bareback riding. Safety equipment should always be worn.
Bareback riding is a form of riding that is performed bareback, maximizing contact between the rider and the horse’s back. This style of riding requires some special skills and is usually only performed by experienced riders. Some riders cheat, using a pad instead of purely bareback riding, and bareback pads can also be used to teach a rider how to ride bareback safely and successfully.
There are a number of reasons cyclists choose to go barefoot. Sometimes, riders simply need to move a horse to a new location, and bareback riding is faster, especially if the horse is only traveling a short distance. It also means that the rider only needs to take a bridle back to the saddlery, rather than a saddle and bridle. On small farms, riding bareback is the quickest way to get between paddocks or fields, and some riders avoid the bridle altogether.
Riding bareback is also sometimes convenient when horses have to be waded or swum across a river, because the tack could be damaged by water. Some riders simply enjoy the experience of bareback riding because it feels more natural to them. In the long run, bareback riding can actually be dangerous for horses, because saddles not only provide padding and protection for riders; they also protect the horse’s back from strain.
People who want to learn to ride bareback typically start by taking the stirrups off their saddles, so they can learn to control a horse with their legs while holding onto the seats. Once they are comfortable with this, they can unsaddle and ride on a saddle or bareback pad. Eventually, the cushion is removed and the rider goes completely bareback, sometimes having someone else drive the horse the first few times so they can focus on finding and keeping their place.
Once a rider is comfortable with bareback riding at a walk, they can try their hand at trotting, cantering, and galloping. However, riding is much more dangerous when bareback, so cyclists should be careful. Without a saddle, riders can fall more easily and have less control over their horses. A helmet should always be worn while riding, along with suitable equipment such as thick trousers and heavy boots. It’s also a good idea to ride with a friend so that someone can call for help if something happens to a rider or horse.
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