[TT_Rain]

Okay, so I thought one day why don't I get on Spirit's back bareback, right? I did, her butt went down and she began trotting very fast, and so I dove, not feeling like having the horse get out of control on me. So, how would you guys try and ease her up to that?

I also have another problem with her. So like.. I cnatered her out on the trail, and then I had fallen off because she bucked since there was a deer in the forest. Since I broke my collar bone with that, but now I want to canter on her. Yet, she doesn't seem to want to canter in the arena... How would you all go about it? Like, I try but she only goes into that really fast trot or gets to a canter for a few strides and then goes back to her fast trot.

[Midnight Felicity]

When i first got my mare she didnt know how to canter on cue. The main thing that will help you is to do A LOT of transitions. Start going from walk to trot and then a trot to a walk, then work on getting him into a trot from a stop. This will help him get more coordinated with his feet. Felis (my mare) was really clumsy and would trip over her own feet and transitions almost force them to know where their feet are so they wont trip and fall. After you are comfortable with the walk tro transitions and from a stop to trot transitions, then start to work on trot to canter and canter to trot transitions. Also make sure your horse is warmed up before attempting to canter him, you dont want to stretch anything and it will be easier for him if he's nice and warmed up. It will also let you know if he's in the mood to work, if he's fighting you the whole time then i wouldnt try to teach him to canter for that day. Just work on slower stuff, lots of turns etc.
Another thing to consider is teaching him to canter from the ground, meaning on the lounge line or free lounging or in a round pen...whatever works easier for you. This will make him more confident that he can canter and MOST IMPORTANTLY will also build MUSCLE which horses do need.
Let me know if this helps, also feel free to PM me.

[Blistering Winds]

First, any horse who is broke to ride in saddle, WILL ride bareback. It is up to YOU to be sure you are not causing excess cues and confusion.

Many people, if they aren't use to riding bareback, don't have an independant seat. So they end up squeezing with their legs, unbalanced in their seat bones, sending a TON of mixed signals to their horse.

And if you have a Bony butt yourself, wear a saddle blanket. Those pelvic bones can be irritating.

[TT_Rain]

Ah, maybe that is what I did. I was actually thinking my legs were not lose there and things, but I suppposed I was wrong. I guess my butt might be bony. I do not have a bare-back pad, so... Could I just use a regular one?

I have cantered her on the ground, and boy does she have some nice muscles. I would show you, but I have no pics of her on my comp yet. =/ I'll try maybe having her canter with my on the lunge line with my trainer before cantering on my own, maybe get her better at it... Or would that even matter?

[Blistering Winds]

I ride with my saddle blanket to keep my butt from getting all red and hairy from the horse.

[Beautifulsould]

For bareback, you must have total and complete trust to ride your horse bareback. And after breaking your collarbone, I would work on cantering first. That way you have your confidence back before you work on bareback. For the cantering, work her in a roundpen on a lunge line and canter her, for about two weeks so she gets her balance back. Then try cantering on a lunge line with you on her back. And when you are ready for bareback, just use your reagular cues and don't be nearvous. It works for me and my horses, hope it helps

[Jess!]

Some horses hate to be ridden bareback. My last fall was getting on a horse bareback. This horse rode FINE undersaddle, but as soon as I slid on his back WITHOUT a saddle all H*LL broke loose. Let's just say...I flew pretty far...

[TT_Rain]

That sounds nice... =) Thank you guys, everyone is very helpful. I'll update on this topic once I canter on her. ^^

[touchofdandy]

Originally Posted by Blistering Winds

And if you have a Bony butt yourself, wear a saddle blanket. Those pelvic bones can be irritating.

Well his spine can be irritating!! LOL Sorry couldnt resist. I rode Dandy bareback the other day and his spine is painful! LOL Now I know why I ride WITH a saddle!

[dewdrop30]

First time I rode Winston bareback he started bucking the moment I got on. My mom freaked out told me to bail. Told her I wasn't getting off till he did something good. Got him to go forward finally and then got off. Next time, he was better kept my legs off him as much as possible. Got nice transitions. He is still learning to accept leg. Must be that whole track thing, and he has had some bad riders in his past.