[scorpiobancs]

Thats what I want to hear! Everyones opinions. Maybe there is something someone says to make me change my opinion. I just want to see if I am the only one against it.

[rageandglory]

riding bareback is great fun when done with a bit of awareness and care. when we think of a person's butt, we envision two full, round cheeks (for at least half of us, of which i do not qualify) but after a while, the horse feels only the seat bones, 'specially if you actually and effectively engage the seat. this can turn into a thumbtack affect for the horse, and right along the long muscles of the back. i suspect that the Native Americans were not engaging seats in the same way we do.

as much as i am a die-hard english seat rider, i wouldn't hesitate to recommend or suggest a westen saddle for long term/distance trail riding just for the comfort of the horse. or for a heavier rider, if choices are limited.

[Auzzie Honey]

Recently the horse tack shops have begun to sell special pads – “saddles” without panels and tree, sometimes with stirrups. They are used for natural bareback riding which has become quite popular now. However they’re of no use for the horse and using them is almost the same as riding bareback.

Lol .. er, they do have use for the horse. I have a friend who just cannot find a saddle that fits her horse comfortabley, and is extremely sensitive on his back. The only saddle she's found that he works well in is a treeless. I haven't ridden in one, but I'm told they are very comfy for both horse and rider. I'm not crazy on flock saddles, but treeless molds to the horse much better than a flock would!

Riding youngsters who aren't fully developed is a big no-no in my book, so riding bareback is the same.

I believe riding bareback is a great method of riding .. it alows you to feel so, so, SO much more than you ever would in a saddle. You improve your position and your riding, plus, it gives the horse a break from always being ridden in a saddle - alows them to move more freely. Yes, its harder to stay on, but its a great lesson in itself : ride correctly and get your balance, or fall off hehe. My mare LOVES bareback riding, and she is always that little bit perkier and happier without a saddle

[canadianlover]

I ride bareback all the time, grace way prefer's to be ridden bareback opposed to with a saddle- her saddle has been fitted properly. I think if I weighed 250 pounds no it probably would not be comfortable for her but I weigh 100 pounds and she just seems to enjoy bareback so much more then riding with a saddle.

[canadianlover]

Oh and when I ride bareback we jump, canter, gallop- everything- I don't think I could handle just walking!

[horse_mom]

IMO i think it better for the horse.there is less weight over all when you dont have a saddle and pad
i think horses enjoy it more also.they dont have extra weight and a girthpulled aroung theiir stomaches.
i rarley use a saddle or bareback pad anymore.i think when your bareback your more in tune with the horse.you can feel its gait and how it truly moves.you can also give better cues.

[PaintedRocket]

All I do is ride bareback. As I stated in another thread, I'm currently training an Arabian mare... and I'm doing it bareback.

I have nothing against saddles and I do use them when I feel like it. I just prefer bareback. I get a much better feel for the horse, it's bodily movements, etc... and the horse gets vise versa. I know how to distribute my weight correctly on the back of a horse.. otherwise, if I was causing pain or irritation, the horse would definately let me know

All the horses I have ever ridden bareback (which is A LOT) have each responded more willingly and a lot better than in the saddle.

I plan on starting my filly (when she is of age) bareback and with a saddle.

[Gallop N Gal]

I guess I could see how it might be uncomfortable for some horses.

I know for sure that Sandy enjoys bareback MUCH more than a saddle. When we ride bareback his ears are perked and he is much more responsive and willing to please.

As far as the backbone taking all the pressure. I was looking at my pictures awhile ago and noticed that when I ride Sandy bareback, he uses his abs to push me up, I have also noticed that since I have been riding bareback instead of with a saddle his topline has improved!

[PeggySue]

I had a mare years ago that was a holey terror with a saddle on take it off adn she was as sweet as could be we rode HOURS UPON HOURS bareback and she loved it ... put a saddle any saddle on her and watch out cause you were in for the ride of your life...

I see nothing wrong with it as long as the rider is not using the horse's mouth to balance

[prairienights]

Most horses let you know when they're uncomfortable. If a saddle is pinching or rubbing, you can tell. They just get crabby. Most horses that I've ridden bareback feel more comfortable; I'd think that if they were in so much pain that they'd let us know, same way as with an uncomfortable saddle.

I think bareback has its place, as does a saddle. It's a useful tool, for rider AND horse, but it can't always take the place of a saddle.