Riding a horse bareback

July 05, 2019, 12:25 PM

Pipe Smoker

When I was a kid the family of my best boyhood friend lived a short distance from our home. They had a horse and a sizable pasture for it. A bridle too, but no saddle.

My friend and I rode it anyway. We’d lead the horse to an easily climbable tree in order to mount. We couldn’t control its gait very well, and the horse would often go into a trot. With no stirrups, that made for a jolting ride! I suspect that the horse knew of our discomfort,, and did it on purpose. Lots of fun anyway!

July 05, 2019, 01:33 PM

45 Cal

Did you mount on the left side?

July 05, 2019, 02:05 PM

Pipe Smoker

^^^^^^^^
We mounted from the top side. From an overhanging branch that was about the right height for that.

July 05, 2019, 02:08 PM

walkinghorse

On hot days or longer jaunts I'm sure your pants acquired wet seats and inner leg areas. Ever get comments about why your pants were wet they way they were?

July 05, 2019, 02:46 PM

smschulz

Just use plenty of sunscreen on those sunny days.

July 05, 2019, 03:39 PM

egregore

The stirrup was actually a history-changing invention, according to this Wikipedia article. The Indian (feather, not dot) horsemen of the Great Plains did manage bareback.

July 05, 2019, 08:24 PM

BamaJeepster

My daughter still loves to ride with no saddle or stirrups...She's a crazy horse girl though. It's the best way to develop a feel for the horse and a good seat. Here she is cantering thru the pasture on Pilgrim:

“Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.”
- John Adams

July 05, 2019, 08:37 PM

Bob at the Beach

quote:
Originally posted by smschulz:
Just use plenty of sunscreen on those sunny days.

At least a hat

July 05, 2019, 09:41 PM

Pipe Smoker

quote:
Originally posted by BamaJeepster:
My daughter still loves to ride with no saddle or stirrups.<snip>
Here she is cantering thru the pasture on Pilgrim:
<snip>

I’d bet that Pilgrim loves your daughter, and is very careful to avoid any move that might cause her to fall.

July 05, 2019, 09:49 PM

FN in MT

Did it as a kid as well. If you had jeans on at the end of even a 1 mile ride, your jeans were wet with horse sweat, dirt and hair. But did have that nice horsey smell.

Doubt I could do it today.

July 05, 2019, 09:52 PM

Bassamatic

I grew up with horses, my sister and I rode them bareback all the time. We had saddles and all the tack for the horse shows but around the farm that was too much work.

July 05, 2019, 10:31 PM

BamaJeepster

quote:
Originally posted by Pipe Smoker:
quote:
Originally posted by BamaJeepster:
My daughter still loves to ride with no saddle or stirrups.<snip>
Here she is cantering thru the pasture on Pilgrim:
<snip>

I’d bet that Pilgrim loves your daughter, and is very careful to avoid any move that might cause her to fall.

Yeah, Pilgrim is a good boy. He is pretty much retired now - just some light trails and the occasional ride around the farm with his girl. Here they were in 2016 when he was the national champion quarterhorse at the National Dressage Pony Cup:

“Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.”
- John Adams

July 06, 2019, 07:49 PM

henryaz

Back when my wife and I first met (1991), she had a Belgian Draft horse. He was so gentle and laid back, I would go out to the pasture, lead him over next to a big rock, and belly flop onto his back. Rode bareback back to the barn where I could saddle him up for a trail ride.

July 06, 2019, 09:34 PM

Rightwire

Ever ridden one out into a lake for a swim? That is a unique sensation.

Pronoun: His Royal Highness and benevolent Majesty of all he surveys

343 - Never Forget

Its better to be Pavlov's dog than Schrodinger's cat

There are three types of mistakes; Those you learn from, those you suffer from, and those you don't survive.

July 06, 2019, 09:53 PM

Pipe Smoker

quote:
Originally posted by henryaz:

Back when my wife and I first met (1991), she had a Belgian Draft horse. He was so gentle and laid back, I would go out to the pasture, lead him over next to a big rock, and belly flop onto his back. Rode bareback back to the barn where I could saddle him up for a trail ride.

The thought of a trail ride on a Belgian Draft horse brings a smile to my face.

July 07, 2019, 09:12 AM

gjgalligan

I was always of the opinion the girls had much less discomfort the boys riding bareback
Knew a girl that had hores that understood the concept.

July 07, 2019, 09:18 AM

DonDraper

I remember doing it as a kid. We certainly fell off more. I was always afraid to hang on to the mane too tight.

July 07, 2019, 03:46 PM

Chance

I can ride one of my horses, Bodhi, without any gear. Not even a bridle or halter. The others still need some kind of head gear. I usually use a saddle pad though. Just to stay a little cleaner.

July 07, 2019, 09:51 PM

Rey HRH

I worked with a young woman who would tell stories of her horse riding lessons. I don't remember much of her stories except for the time she related learning how to ride bareback. She said it was quite pleasurable and she said it with a satisfied smile.

"It did not really matter what we expected from life, but rather what life expected from us. We needed to stop asking about the meaning of life, and instead to think of ourselves as those who were being questioned by life – daily and hourly. Our answer must consist not in talk and meditation, but in right action and in right conduct. Life ultimately means taking the responsibility to find the right answer to its problems and to fulfill the tasks which it constantly sets for each individual." Viktor Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning, 1946.

July 08, 2019, 09:41 AM

daikyu

In my teen years I did some counseling at a summer camp where the main activity was riding. I rode all kinds of ways. Saddled, Pad only, and bareback. Even got to go swimming on a horse.

A few times I had to ride a belgian draft horse. He was so wide it was a whole different experience from most riding. Usually to clean hooves you can lean into a horses shoulder to get them to shift their weight. Trying to get the Belgian to move was like trying to move a brick wall with your shoulder.