Bareback riding

Bareback riding is a form of horseback riding without a saddle. It requires skill, balance, and coordination, as the rider does not have any equipment to compensate for errors of balance or skill.

Proponents of bareback riding argue that riding in this fashion is natural, allows considerable communication with the horse, and improves a rider's balance. The drawbacks include a higher risk of injury due to an increased risk of falling off the horse, the potential to develop poor riding form, and the possibility of considerable discomfort to both horse and rider due to the absence of a supporting tree and any padding between the rider's seat bones and the horse's spine. Over time, it is more fatiguing to both horse and rider to ride bareback.

However, in certain situations, bareback riding is particularly suitable. Many riders will ride bareback for a short ride in order to save time in a busy day. It is also common for a rider who will take a horse in only one direction and walk back on foot, such as when moving the horse from one pasture to another, to ride the horse in only a bridle in order to not carry much equipment when returning. In other cases, for example, if a horse is to be allowed to swim in a river, lake or ocean, it is practical to leave expensive leather horse tack off to avoid equipment damage. It is also common for riders in extreme cold weather to ride bareback for short pleasure rides in situations where heavy winter clothing makes it hazardous to ride with a saddle due to the difficulty of sitting correctly in a saddle while wearing thick insulated clothing or the potential of a large snow boot hanging in a stirrup.

When riding bareback, riders sit a bit more forward on the horse than they would in a saddle. They have to rest their legs more forward, along the crease between the barrel and the shoulder muscles in order to have a secure position without excessive gripping. As a rule, to make proper use of the rider's calf muscles, bareback riders need to keep their heels lower than their toes, riding with a flexed ankle and heel down, just as if they had stirrups. Riding with the toes down can lead to clutching at the horse with the lower legs or digging into the horse's sides with the heels, both often interpreted by the horse as a leg cue to go faster.

It is particularly important that riders do not squeeze their heels or lower legs into the horse's sides when slowing or stopping, or use the reins as a brace at any time, as these errors will send the horse confusing, contradictory signals. If riders lose their balance, it is common to grab the mane in order to prevent jerking the horse in the mouth with the reins of the bridle, though ideally a rider can maintain proper balance by correct placement and use of their thigh and upper calf muscles.

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