How long before...

How long was it before you rode bareback, and galloped? I have been riding almost 2 years and I can walk, trot and canter quite well, and I have just started doing low jumps. I can't really manage a difficult horse, I've only been on one once and she bucked me off, but I get on quite well with Charlie, the horse I usually ride (when he's in a good mood). I can't do anything more than walk no stirrups without holding onto the saddle, so I supppse I will try bareback once I can do trotting no stirrups? It's just I'm not sure how long it will take me to get to that level as on the rare occasion we do a bit of no stirrups I am told I can hold onto the saddle. Without holding on, I would fall off, but when I hold on I don't learn to balance Also, with galloping, is that usually the last thing you learn to do? My canter isn't perefect yet, so I'm not expecting to be galloping soon but I was just wandering what sort of level you should be before trying it.

The only way to get comfortable riding bareback is to do it. So, do it for short periods of time and jsut ease your way up.

It all depends on how good your balance is. Work without stirrups is great to develop strength and balance. You can ride bareback at the walk now if you wanted to, just be aware that you'll need practice before your muscles are strong enough to do anything but walk. To be honest I've been riding for 10 years, and I didn't really gallop until a few years ago. I don't know what discipline you ride, but in eventing we don't truly gallop until we're out on Cross Country, arenas are simply too small for that to be safe. Good luck in your riding!

When you do no stirrups in the saddle, try posting without them too. This will build up muscles that will help you grip when your bareback. In the saddle, let your legs stretch down, always keeping your heels down, and sit back on your but to help feel the rhythm of the horse. Once you can trot no stirrups comfortably, I'd say move on to walk trot bareback. After you can canter nu stirrups, try it bareback. And once your confident with or without a saddle, run your little heart out :)
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I actually think its harder to ride with no stirrups in a saddle than it is to ride bareback. I can get a better grip when I am on the horse instead of against the leather. Just take it slow, hop on bareback and walk around, then if you feel comfortable up the pace a little. You can put a strap to grab onto around the horses neck (a lead rope works well), that way if you need to grab something for balance you can grab the mane or the grab strap instead of getting balance off the horses mouth.

I can still remember the first time I galloped. I had been taking english lessons for years when my friend put me bareback on her pony and handed me a stick. I wacked him and off we went. There was nothing like it. I was so scared, but it was awesome. Just do it.

I asked when people have a go at bareback yesterday at my lesson, and my instructor said that it's done at pony days but not in lessons.

I don't really want to go to a pony day because the people my age (14) would be better riders than me because I've only been riding for two years (and half of that I was being taught wrong) and other people have been riding since they were little.

I suppose I'll try out bareback when I'm older.

How do you do rising trot without stirrups? I can't even do sitting trot without stirrups so I won't be trying it soon, but I don't understand how you can do it without gripping with your knees (which you're not supposed to do?)

The posting trot without stirrups is more in your seat, thighs, and overall. Balance.

I haven't even had my horse 2 months and and this whole week I've been riding just Bareback. I think as long it's a horse you trust you should be Ok. It really improves you balance too.

I don't understand how you can use your thighs but not your knees, and I've been taught to squeeze with my knees to get the horse to slow down

I think my balance is pretty awful as I can't even trot no stirrups, and I'm not going to be able to try bareback while I'm at this stables anyway.