What Is the Best Way to Ride?
- Thread starter Honey_Bear
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I'd have to say not at all! I've always been terrified of horses. I really don't know why, because they are such beautiful creatures. I guess their size is intimidating. Anyway, to try getting over my fear, I went riding on vacation in Tennessee this past summer. Never again!!! Up and back down a mountain for two miles. My horse kept walking on the very edge of the path. I thought I was going to die. My whole body was tense the entire time. I swore that if I got off of that horse alive , I would kiss the ground. Unfortunately, back at the stables there was too much manure on the ground, lol. Maybe I'll try again one day, on flat ground.
English, as you can see from my picture. I got a new dressage saddle this past spring, and it is like a couch
I, too, find western saddles uncomfortable (although I've only ridden in a few). Bareback? Ugh. Nope. I used to do it more, and somewhere even have a bareback jumping picture, but not for me. Far too uncomfortable for me, and reported to be not so fantastic for the horse's back either.
I did find photographic proof of my one ride on Tristan western. We borrowed the saddle from a worker at the barn just for fun. As you can see, since he was playing cowpony, he had to wear his cow wraps. Let me tell you, Hanoverians are not made for western! He did enjoy "jogging" along because it was so much less work than he's used to, but loping? Not a chance. And that huge warmblood canter + western saddle = PAIN!
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I, too, find western saddles uncomfortable (although I've only ridden in a few). Bareback? Ugh. Nope. I used to do it more, and somewhere even have a bareback jumping picture, but not for me. Far too uncomfortable for me, and reported to be not so fantastic for the horse's back either.
I did find photographic proof of my one ride on Tristan western. We borrowed the saddle from a worker at the barn just for fun. As you can see, since he was playing cowpony, he had to wear his cow wraps. Let me tell you, Hanoverians are not made for western! He did enjoy "jogging" along because it was so much less work than he's used to, but loping? Not a chance. And that huge warmblood canter + western saddle = PAIN!
BostonBanker: Your boy is gorgeous!
I've always ridden bareback; as Fuzz got older, we kept going to less and less tack. We'd mosey down the road with no saddle and just a bosal or his jumping hackamore (I probably could have ridden him with a halter and done just as well.) Something to be said for being partners for nearly 23 years...
Chance, on the other hand, is a firecracker! I have ridden him bareback in the paddock and he's done okay, but get him in the wide open spaces and all he wants to do is run. Him I ride with a saddle and the only one that fits him well is my dressage saddle (I've got a nice collection of saddles - western, hunt, dressage, McClellan and one of these days, I'd love to try sidesaddle.)
I've always ridden bareback; as Fuzz got older, we kept going to less and less tack. We'd mosey down the road with no saddle and just a bosal or his jumping hackamore (I probably could have ridden him with a halter and done just as well.) Something to be said for being partners for nearly 23 years...
Chance, on the other hand, is a firecracker! I have ridden him bareback in the paddock and he's done okay, but get him in the wide open spaces and all he wants to do is run. Him I ride with a saddle and the only one that fits him well is my dressage saddle (I've got a nice collection of saddles - western, hunt, dressage, McClellan and one of these days, I'd love to try sidesaddle.)
All three ways are pretty fun
I rode English first at 3 years of age on huge Clyde X TB, looked like the Thelwell kids.
Rode English all the way through 1988 and showing Appies.
Appaloosa was fun, often competed and won the bareback equitation class; best way to sit bareback; not so likely to fall off. Our best bareback eq rider was a guy; years later I asked him how he could ride bareback so well? Tight undies, tighter jeans and sucking them up :lol-sign: was what he said! Done many stupid things bareback; more fun then.
Now I ride western; I like reining and am amazed at the lady that showed bareback reining; sliding stops and all. Wowie.:hail:
My gelding is very smooth, great to ride bareback, although he is offended by it; won't move at all unless I wear spurs; kinda defeats the fun of bareback.
I rode English first at 3 years of age on huge Clyde X TB, looked like the Thelwell kids.
Rode English all the way through 1988 and showing Appies.
Appaloosa was fun, often competed and won the bareback equitation class; best way to sit bareback; not so likely to fall off. Our best bareback eq rider was a guy; years later I asked him how he could ride bareback so well? Tight undies, tighter jeans and sucking them up :lol-sign: was what he said! Done many stupid things bareback; more fun then.
Now I ride western; I like reining and am amazed at the lady that showed bareback reining; sliding stops and all. Wowie.:hail:
My gelding is very smooth, great to ride bareback, although he is offended by it; won't move at all unless I wear spurs; kinda defeats the fun of bareback.
With the horse I had, bareback or western. She had a horrible gait for english, and that is how my stepmom want me to learn first. Sure there where other horses I could have learned on but dad want Tilly worked. So I learned to ride english and drove her with her cart, very stubborn very smart horse.
I once had a horrible bare back experience. Was at a summer camp and we rode our horses and camped out for the night . A few of us decided to go for a bareback ride when dark . My horse had very high withers and decided to rear at one point .... I stayed on but came down very hard on his withers . I was about 13 and didn't want to go to the nurse .....My private area was swollen 4 times it's size and I could barely walk . It was sad , as I felt I couldn't share with anyone .
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Renee, I dont get it. What were you refering to?
Grammy, it would not have felt any better landing on a saddle horn.
I like riding bareback but in mountain terrain it isnt possible when you are carrying a rifle.. I guess it is possible but a great way to bust your skull. I like western after that, I dont think I could do english style without giggling.
Grammy, it would not have felt any better landing on a saddle horn.
I like riding bareback but in mountain terrain it isnt possible when you are carrying a rifle.. I guess it is possible but a great way to bust your skull. I like western after that, I dont think I could do english style without giggling.