When riding my horse bareback, how am I supposed to stay on her while she's trotting?

Or cantering?
I've never ridden a horse bareback, other than walking.
I've heard you squeeze with your legs, but others say not to do that because that's essentially comanding the horse to go faster?
So, how do I hold on?

Just tr and stay balanced,and the most helpful tip is: don't fall off.
I never had anyone teach me to ride bareback, I jsut go ahead and did it, I stayed on, your instincts should be right, and that should keep you on the horse :) try it, test it out.

I find cantering is easier to stay on then trotting for sure. I just feel the horses movements and flow with the horse. Hold on with your thighs and not your calves, since the calves move the horse when touched. - This also depends on how sensitive your horse is but you two will figure it out your limit on pressure.

Do you have a bareback pad? Some of them have handles that you can hold on to if you need balanced. If you have one I suggest trying out one of those first just to get the feel of riding bareback and once your comfortable you can go without it. Don't worry though its not too hard to stay on. And trotting is usually the hardest to do bareback because your bouncing all over the place. Good luck!

When you find out Brianna, please tell me!! Hahaha

My horse has the bounciest trot I have ever ridden, and anyone else who has ridden him agrees. But for some reason when i'm bareback he does this really slow collected smooth trot. I don't really find myself gripping too much at all - just stay balanced in your seat. It is best to grip with your thighs though. I would suggest doing alot of no sturrips work first if you havent already and really develop a balanced seat. My old trainer use to have us do bareback lessons before and we would have to jump up to 3 foot oxers lol - very scary the first time!

I would suggest doing a ton of no stirrup work at both of those gaits in the saddle before trying it bareback. That way, you can get the feel of it without relying on your feet for balance but at the same time, you have the saddle in case you have to grab on. I have to disagree with the bareback pad idea, if you are already falling and grab one of those to try to right yourself, it will almost always just slip off the side with you and then you risk spooking your horse on top of falling off.

I used to ride my previous horse bareback about as much as I rode him saddled if not more, haha
What I did was almost like a post..as much as you can post in that situation. I'd just really move with him. It definitely takes some practice to get the hang of it but with work you can get it down pretty well.

Good luck! =)

Grip with your thighs, not your calves.

Ride without stirrups first, then hop on bareback when your comfortable without stirrups.

Ride a horse you trust, one with nice gaits.

Instead of just sitting there, bouncing, post. It will make you grip with your thighs and I find it easier allbeit more exhausting.

For the canter, ride a horse that's responsive but not too much so, and one you trust. Loosen your reins a smidgeon and grab mane and get into a slightly forward seat and ask. As you relax, your position will reach where it should be. Also, first time cantering - do the straightaways. Corners can be tricky

And try it. I cantered bareback for the first time this past summer and I felt so accomplished with myself! Its such a great feeling <3

Another tip is to grab some mane. It helps a lot and it doesn't hurt your horse :)