will I hurt her spine?

Today it was so snowy and cold. I wasn't planning on riding until a girl at my barn asked me to go bareback with her in the snow. I thought it would be fun, so I agreed. My mare Jubilee has very prominent withers and spine because she's a TB. I used two saddle pads because she's too uncomfortable for me otherwise.

My question is, I could still feel her spine through the pads and it was sort of uncomfortable. Believe it or not, the trot was actually more comfy than the walk. But I was wondering if I'm hurting her back by sitting on it like that. Like not because of the pads, but just in general. Because I'm sitting right on her spine.

I know that sounds really silly.... considering I'm always technically sitting on her spine with a saddle... but I was just wondering. It's just because its so uncomfortable for me, that maybe its uncomfortable for her?? What do you guys think?

*No comments on my using a saddle pad bareback. I know that increases my chances of sliding off. But she's too uncomfortable otherwise*

Thanks!

Good question JR. Remember that with a saddle the tree never rests on the spine, so I am curious also if bareback for a horse puts more pressure on their spine than saddled. Be keeping an eye on this thread for enlightenment. :)

Yes, that's very true. There's supposed to be enough room in the gullet so it doesn't touch the spine at all.

Hmm...

I would think it wouldn't hurt her spine. I don't know for sure because I'm not an expert at this kind of stuff, but people ride bareback all the time, and it doesn't seem to do harm to the spines...
?

Unless you are bouncing around more than usual, whumping on her back and are unbalanced it won't do her any harm. You could be hurting her back, however, if you are unbalanced and bouncing a lot but this also applies to riding with a saddle.

I don't think that riding bareback would do her any harm. She is through growing correct? So long as you have a good seat and rhythm, it shouldn't cause a problem. And technically, we kinda have our own built in gullet to keep the majority of the weight off of her spine and on the muscles to the sides of it. LOL. When it is really cold, bareback is the only way I will ride. I always have some kind of blanket or pad on and it is usually just a common pad that I use under saddle. Everyone falls off at least once.

Haha. That is quite funny about the "built-in gullet." Nice way of putting it -- so true though! And yes, I have fallen off many times, a couple from riding bareback. But I landed in snow and it was quite fun.

Thanks everyone!!

Riding bareback shouldnt hurt her. If it does she most likely has some sort of back problem.