Just had to share

[Candice_17]

Some of you may remember my coming 3 year old, Bella. Double bred Doc Olena, Peppy San Badger, and smart as a whip. After spending less than a month at the trainers 3-4 months ago, and being rode 2x since then, I hopped on bareback with a halter today. She did great!!!! I have such a lack of time with all my kids, this may be the only way to get any time on her over the winter. I went thru some options, and in the end they wound up falling thru, so she has sat idle for almost 2 months....

I have a question, if I ride her bareback with a halter once a week, will that be much different than if I tacked her up and rode her? I mean, will this help her to continue her education, or do I need to tack her up?

Anyway, I'm SO proud of my baby!!! She just continues to blow me away!

[Coffee702]

Candice_17,

Nope, it won't make a difference taking her up or not. It will actually help with your balance and have a closer connection with her. I first learned to ride bareback and it helped me so much with my balance and to have a much deeper connection with my equine companion. Sounds like she's done great!

[bixfarmboy]

also if you tack her up and tie her up while you do chores that is good for them as well

[Candice_17]

I figured it would help her. I ride all my horses bareback, just never one this green before. I've broke horses, just never bareback. I just wasn't sure if I'd be sending her mixed signals this early in her training. But I guess a little is better than nothing. I'm so proud of my girl, I just don't want to mess her up. She is amazing. (but I'm not biased or anything )

[aMarinesgirl69]

I think it matters on if you tack them up or not. A horse that never bucks when you're on it bareback may be a bronc with a saddle. When you do get more time and decide to saddle her up and ride her I would warm her up first before just assuming she'll ride the same and loping off. She could be a bit cinchy from her long break.

[belleoftheball]

Originally Posted by aMarinesgirl69

I think it matters on if you tack them up or not. A horse that never bucks when you're on it bareback may be a bronc with a saddle. When you do get more time and decide to saddle her up and ride her I would warm her up first before just assuming she'll ride the same and loping off. She could be a bit cinchy from her long break.

I do agree with this. Any riding helps, but maybe one day bareback and the next with the saddle. My 4yo blue roan is at the trainers now. What we did with her is the tacking up and actualy on her back a few times as well. When at the trainers the first day was great and then the 2nd day she broke slam in half after she was saddled. This girl is hancock bred, 4 yo and 15'3 and still growing. She is huge, so I am glad that he was not on her when she did.

Congrats on sucess with her. I know that you have to be very proud.