How to train your horse to ride bareback???

[lunanightwolf]

I dont' think Magic has ever been ridden bareback. and I want to try with her one day. But I don't know how to go about it. My friend and I tried once and I got laid crossed her and she freaked and pulled out from under me. I was wondering if I put the bit in and tried it would it be better? Because she acts better with the bit in her mouth? And maybe I should get a bareback pad. or maybe just use my saddle blanket.

[mart]

Not having the bit in her mouth was probably more of the problem than her not having been ridden bareback before !! Generally speaking if a horse will ride with a saddle it will ride bareback !! No specific training is necessary that I know of other than just do it !! She could have been confused by the way you got on or you may have been less than confident about riding her that way !! If you are nervous she will be as well !! Horses pick up on your approach to the situation !! Next time just act like it is a normal thing and treat her as you would if she were saddled !! Just bit her up first !! That tells her that this is ride time !!
Don`t use your saddle pad it will slide and you will go with it !!

[Barrelracer]

i have seen people take like sand bag but not that havey and lay it on there backs and walked them around first to give a horse kinda a ideal i gusse. then take it off few mins later and get on them with no promblem. i never tryed it but seen it worked for them there's not really any special training for it.

[jlbackcountry]

I agree with mart - it's "easier" to ride bareback - no saddle for the horse!

I love riding bareback - I don't have to carry my saddle down the driveway and back up again and he doesn't sweat as much. I don't know about you, but I tend to get nervous when I go down to ride. Why? I have no idea - I can't seem to find the root of that. But if you get nervous and tense your mare's going to feed off that and she'll end up being the same. I don't think Razz had any experience with having a person much bigger than a child riding him bareback and he did well for me. But if you do get nervous - calm yourself down before you go near her trying to get up there bareback. If you're scared or nervous -s she's going to know it. I'd suggest sitting in your room and listening to music - we did this in Drama class to learn how to calm ourselves if we're freaked out about speaking in public and it works! Have someone - like your dad or someone that knows your horse - hold her and help you up on her and just maybe start off by leaning on her and rubbing all over her. As mart said there's not really any special training for it. ;]