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Days in Horse Country – Going Bareback
Riders who spend a lot of time riding bareback develop a secure seat and a good sense of balance. For this reason, some trainers insist their students take a few lessons without the security of the saddle.
To help improve your seat and balance, it’s a good idea to ride your horse bareback once in a while. Use a bareback pad if you don’t want to get your pants dirty, or let your horse go completely au natural if it has a comfortable back.
Ride in the arena and practice your transitions from walk to trot to canter. Do 65 feet (20m) circles and change directions at the trot. If you always ride with a saddle, you may need some time to adjust your balance. After all, you have no deep seat to hold you in and no stirrups to secure your feet. By the end of your session, you should be feeling a lot more comfortable and secure without the help of your saddle.
Practice riding bareback whenever you can to improve your balance and seat. Don’t be surprised if you are pretty sore the next day after a bareback ride since you use a lot more muscles when you don’t have a saddle to help keep you in place. It’s worth the discomfort. Remember the old adage; No pain, no gain!
Michael