Advice for bareback comfort??

What I do...although it is not great if the horse suddenly turns but if you trust your horse your balance shouldn't be to easy to knock off...I lean back legs loose and maybe a better way to describe it would be a super deep seat. Looks a tad it odd. That way your bum is cushion. ^^' Much more comfortable especially at the trot. There are other ways but I find this the most comfortable. ^^

I know what you mean - a female with a *high* withered TB ... Ooh, he is great bareback, calm as a cucumber but ... ow :p I sit a little farther back, behind the withers, and rely on balance at the walk. Trotting I make him slow to a tiny little jog and also rely on balance. Cantering I hold with lower leg and let him go as fast as he wants.

I also have a round, rolypoly QH that I ride bareback *MUCH* more often ^.^ He's got a nice calm trot, lumby walk, and a gallop as fast as a TB ... very smooth, of course :p

I have this BB pad, but never use it. It won't help improve your seat or legs at all, which is my reason it collects dust, but if you just feel like chillin, it's great -
Tough-1 Adult Navajo Bareback Pad Navajo Saddle Pads Western HorseLoverZ.com

Oh, also, the girth on that thing sucks x.x It loosens out a lot untill you find the sweet spot. I just wouldn't get it, honestly :p

You can use a bareback pad. I have a VERY soft and cushiony one, and it's great!

The others had good points about how to sit and hold your body. Another thing you may be doing is trying to post too big, on my pony (shark fin wither and a very animated trot) I post smaller. I also work with her to slow her trot down a bit so it doesn't throw me as much.

What do you do if your horse has a very high wither, a massively bouncy trot, AND his spine sticks into your bum with every stride? (yes, he's a bit of a skinny TB... but even in the summer when he fills out you can still feel his spine!) I would love to ride bareback more, but every stride, even in the canter (which has too much elevation to be comfortable bareback!) I feel like I'm being cut in half between his wither and spine, and when I try I give up fairly quickly because of it... I ride him to and from the field when he has his rug on, and that helps a lot, but still hurts!

What I do Instead of actually riding bareback I just take the stirrups off of my saddle ... its much more comfortable and you still improve your posture and legs!! I'm in an english saddle though im not sure how well that would work in a western!

What have you guys done to make bareback riding more comfortable? I've gotten mixed reviews on bareback pads, so if anyone has a particular brand or style pad they like, please let me know. ANY advice to help my situation would be greatly appreciated.[/COLOR]
[/FONT][/SIZE][/QUOTE]

I had a pony and then a horse when I was a kid and we had no money for a saddle until I was 17, and I always preferred bareback Now I can finally afford (time and money) horses and am riding again at 46. I still prefer bareback. I've tried out many pads because I keep my horses as naturally as I can, which is dirty no matter how much you brush them! I like them for padding and keeping clean jeans. Nothing worse than horse sweat and hair on your butt for serious itching!

Anyway, most pads are cheaply made and are awful for serious riding. Parelli makes THE BEST bareback pad. I got lucky and found one on craigslist for $100 and paid gladly! New they are $250.

For my robust QH paint mare, I just use the pad. For my other horses, I put a saddle pad under the bareback pad. It works great!

Keep at it. I think bareback riding has given me great balance and I can feel the horses rhythm better. I wish I could translate it to riding in a saddle of any type. It still feels unnatural for me in a saddle and I bounce around like an idiot.

I just use a standard saddle pad and elastic surcingle. And a grab strap around the neck! Prin and I walk trot canter jump and do basic dressage. Saddle pad makes it super comfy a little less slippy and keeps my bum clean
Posted via Mobile Device