tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post5096611582522069614..comments2024-03-26T05:15:39.663-07:00Comments on Equestrian Ink: Riding Bareback and Other Small PleasuresJami Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05259390150273030284noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-81139213742503439832010-02-15T09:04:10.058-08:002010-02-15T09:04:10.058-08:00joycemocha--I felt exactly the same about riding G...joycemocha--I felt exactly the same about riding Gunner bareback in a halter. I did it a few times, just for fun, but his spine cut me in two and I could never forget just how hard he could move. I was nervous the whole time--even though Gunner was and is a very gentle horse. But on Henry its a completely different story. Henry is the ultimate babysitter. As I said in the post, its kind of a unique experience for me, and very relaxing, and its one I couldn't have if I didn't happen to own a completely reliable horse.Laura Crumhttp://www.lauracrum.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-8866457637136632682010-02-14T18:56:44.956-08:002010-02-14T18:56:44.956-08:00Bareback? Halter? Mocha?
Nope. For one thing, ...Bareback? Halter? Mocha?<br /><br />Nope. For one thing, she's got a spiny back--I rode her bareback once, with the snaffle. We walked and trotted and I decided that my butt had gotten more boney in middle age than it had been when I galloped around bareback on my Shetland.<br /><br />And as for That Girl going bareback in a halter...um. No. She'd probably be just fine, but on a horse capable of pretty hot rollbacks and fast hard stops, I'm not going there.joycemochahttp://joycemocha.livejournal.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-44167109414972267952010-02-14T13:13:16.199-08:002010-02-14T13:13:16.199-08:00Mrs Mom--Yeah, I'm gonna have to master the ch...Mrs Mom--Yeah, I'm gonna have to master the cheat thing. I jumped on Henry a couple of times by getting him downhill from me, and then yesterday I just couldn't do it. Had to have my husband leg me up. By far the nicest method, as you say. But I am going to start dragging my barn chair up to old Henry.Laura Crumhttp://www.lauracrum.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-22109590180941260062010-02-14T09:00:10.744-08:002010-02-14T09:00:10.744-08:00LOL I cheat Laura. Even as a flexible bouncy kid I...LOL I cheat Laura. Even as a flexible bouncy kid I couldn't master mounting bareback on my 14.3 hand horse. <br /><br />Today I use any of the following:<br />My Dear Husband will toss me up sometimes,<br />A stump from taking down a lightning struck tree, <br />or<br />A lawn chair. <br /><br />The lawn chair works well, and is what we use most of the time. (Though I confess... I *really* love it when Dear Husband tosses me up! Gives a girl a bit of butterflies ;) )Mrs. Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15269132012512166439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-4741506301870524002010-02-14T08:51:33.865-08:002010-02-14T08:51:33.865-08:00Voyager--I hear you about the grooming. I just bru...Voyager--I hear you about the grooming. I just brush the dirt off Henry's back with my hand and hop on. Well, drag myself on, really. Its so much easier than cleaning one up and saddling.<br /><br />Mikey--Wow--I have loved some of your blog posts. I've always wanted to tell you what a great writer I think you are. And I admire you for riding "out" bareback, just like Horse Of Course. I'm not sure I'm brave enough for that. Many years of riding in a saddle have made me dependent on that stability, I'm afraid. And I have to cross a busy road to get to the trails I ride. OK, I'm kind of a chicken in my old age. Maybe I can work up to it.<br /><br />KB--I know what you mean about narrower. My old horse, Gunner, is very high withered, and I never could be comfortable on him bareback. Even though he wasn't thin, his spine just cut me in half.Laura Crumhttp://www.lauracrum.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-69065915768661550182010-02-14T05:33:02.391-08:002010-02-14T05:33:02.391-08:00I love riding bareback; it does take you back to t...I love riding bareback; it does take you back to the worry-free days of gallivanting around as a kid. I haven't gotten up my nerve to ride the four-year-old bareback yet, though - she is narrow, and taller, and that just worries me. <br /><br />I always ride Jet in a halter - my mare prefers it, and it's simpler for me. We're transitioning the baby to bitless as well, not because I dislike bits, but I do prefer the simplicity of a riding halter, and I'm fortunate enough to have two TBs who don't seem to require more.KBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07161356002403934870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-22390655694959188042010-02-13T21:09:29.094-08:002010-02-13T21:09:29.094-08:00I'm an avid bareback rider, so it resonates wi...I'm an avid bareback rider, so it resonates with me! There's nothing better, so much more feel, so much more in tune with the horse. To me, there's not much better in this world than being bareback on a good horse in beautiful country. It's good for your soul.Mikeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03574914465998507310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-58503276629130485282010-02-13T17:31:33.074-08:002010-02-13T17:31:33.074-08:00I often ride bareback in my arena, mostly because ...I often ride bareback in my arena, mostly because I expect it to be a short ride and I am just too lazy to do all that grooming. I can ride all three horses a little bit each, that way. In the winter especially, I love the feel of their thick warm fur. It's an instant hand warmer. <br /><br />My horses are 14.2 and 14.3 but even so, I use a fence and stand on the rail or a log or something. I'm just not as agile as I used to be- I could vault over the back of my 13.3hh POA in my teen years. I'm afraid to try it nowadays. lol.Fantastyk Voyagerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15065772565014490544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-21449698233552918362010-02-13T16:14:24.137-08:002010-02-13T16:14:24.137-08:00Mrs Mom--you were part of my inspiration to ride b...Mrs Mom--you were part of my inspiration to ride bareback--I saw some photos of you riding Sonny bareback with a halter. So, how do you get on? <br /><br />Horse Of Course--thanks for the info on the colic preventative on my last post--I will look for it. Henry is seeming completely fine, but I am paranoid, as I said.<br /><br />And I'm not brave; riding Henry bareback at the walk/jog is just not at all challenging. Henry is a very gentle horse and I am only riding around my small ring. I'm not sure I'm up for riding bareback on the trail to be honest. Let alone doing anything as technical as dressage. So, you are far more ambitious than me.<br /><br />Today was a warm, sunny day here, too, and a few more like this will dry my mud out and I can do more with the horses again. Yippee(!)Laura Crumhttp://www.lauracrum.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-63642893434731390302010-02-13T15:51:25.431-08:002010-02-13T15:51:25.431-08:00I love to ride bareback, and especially during win...I love to ride bareback, and especially during wintertime when it is so cold here.<br />There is nothing better than a soft and warm horseback when it is freezing outside! <br />I ride her bareback in the dressage training too. I feel both the horse's movements and my own better, and I just have to stay balanced. Hrmpf.<br /><br />The last month I haven't put the saddle on more than a handful of times, and I ride in average 5-6 days/week.<br />I was out today on a wonderful 2 hours' trail ride with my daughter (yippeee!), marvellous winter weather - the sun's starting to warm some again here. Both of us bareback. <br /><br />I am not as brave as you, Laura, and ride in a halter, but I put the sidepull on when out on trail. <br />Somewhat more freedom than with the snaffle perhaps, and I feel better with a little bit more control than I would have in a halter. <br />Even if Fame behaves well most of the time, she has a lot of energy so "better safe than sorry".HorseOfCoursehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15907659164579327290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-41577692300422806682010-02-13T14:58:35.226-08:002010-02-13T14:58:35.226-08:00Amen Laura. I envy your 14.3 hand horse now, over ...Amen Laura. I envy your 14.3 hand horse now, over my 16 hand one! ;)Mrs. Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15269132012512166439noreply@blogger.com