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bareback canter

3K views 15 replies 8 participants last post by  thesilverspear 
#1 ·
So, Tanner was being a complete gentleman tonight and very responsive and playful so I decided to go for it and we had our first bareback canter. My first bareback canter on any horse at all actually. I just had to share it with someone and since I don't have a lot of horsey friends here at school, you guys are it!

I know some of you are amazing bareback riders, we'll take any tips you have! It went amazingly, I think I'm getting a better seat than I thought and the old man seemed to enjoy himself too. I was really surprised that his crazy TB withers did not hurt a bit. Of course it gave me new found respect for those of you who jump bareback, which is amazing!! We have a ways to go before we're there, but it is a goal!
 
#2 ·
Congrats on that! I love riding bareback but I've never cantered bareback before. :( My horse is very very young and I can barely seat his canter in a saddle so I am playing it safe and sticking to walking and trotting :) Was it hard to stay balanced? I think trotting bareback is easier than trotting with a saddle but it also takes a lot more strength!
 
#4 ·
horsea, I don't do too much trotting on him bareback- it HURTS! and I don't have the leg strength up yet, you must have legs of steel! I do use a bareback pad with him which helps a lot on the withers (skinny TB with a sharkfin!!) but his canter is quite smooth so that helped. I have worked a ton on cantering in the saddle, but was still really suprised at how balanced I was on him. And he's an old schoolmaster, I would play it safe on a young horse too! We want to live to canter another day right?!
 
#6 ·
horsea, I don't do too much trotting on him bareback- it HURTS! and I don't have the leg strength up yet, you must have legs of steel! I do use a bareback pad with him which helps a lot on the withers (skinny TB with a sharkfin!!) but his canter is quite smooth so that helped. I have worked a ton on cantering in the saddle, but was still really suprised at how balanced I was on him. And he's an old schoolmaster, I would play it safe on a young horse too! We want to live to canter another day right?!
Lol, that makes me laugh! My equitation trainer has us post to the trot without sturrips as long as we can! I also do pointe to strengthen my legs so I do have pretty solid legs lol! You are so lucky, I ride Arabians and an Anglo-Arab. They don't have smooth canters at all! Yeah, riding the older horses are nice. There was one older horse and I swear he could read your mind lol! He always knew what to do and what to expect.
 
#5 ·
I got a tb to its great and easy going into the canter but the downward transition sucks! I either have to be back a lil farther or just go through the pain. But now I dont canter bareback on her anymore. Wait till you gallop bareback now thats a blast XD
 
#7 ·
I used to be a ballet dancer too, until my partner dropped me and broke my back. I reeeeeaaaally miss the body that dance (especially pointe!) gave me. Travelinggypsy- my boy is an OTTB, and though he's been off the track for a long while, he still wants to run run run so we don't gallop. I am NOT that brave!
 
#8 ·
I used to be a ballet dancer too, until my partner dropped me and broke my back. I reeeeeaaaally miss the body that dance (especially pointe!) gave me. Travelinggypsy- my boy is an OTTB, and though he's been off the track for a long while, he still wants to run run run so we don't gallop. I am NOT that brave!

Awww that must be horrible, I'm so sorry for you!
 
#9 ·
lol i wasnt sure that i was in the gallop the first time with my mare till they told me. I was just in the whoo hoo zone then realized people were staring at me
 
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