Ridecamp: Re: [RC] "I can't see how bareback would help. I too am short and have short legs and am also overweight. "

A. Perez walkergirl@xxxxxxxxxx
  I can't disagree more.  You don't have to be tall, thin, long-legged to ride bareback.  You do, however, need to do it on a horse that 'fits'. Find a horse narrow enough that you can comfortably grip with your knees, even if it's a pony (even better if it's a pony - not so far to fall), and spend lots of time at a trot, bareback.  Do it in an arena if you are not comfortable on trails.  I guarantee it will give you a more secure seat.  And having a more secure seat will give you confidence which will help lessen fear.  If, after 2-3 hours/week of bareback riding for 6 weeks, you can't cross an arena bareback, you have, IMHO, no business being on a horse, with or without saddle.

  I have done any number of dumb things on horseback: when I was a kid we'd bomb around bareback and BACKWARDS; ride any horse we could get on, no matter how poorly trained or schitzo; ride hell-bent-for-leather on rough, hilly, twisty wooded trails...  and I can count on the fingers of one-and-a-half hands the number of times I have come off a horse against my will.  And the number of times I have been hurt coming off: once, and that was jumping after not having ridden inmany, many years (and having never really ahd much jumping experience): my own stupidity.  I have never had a pretty seat, but by god I stick!  When I used to take lessons, I always got stuck with the rough-gaited, green or whacko horses, never got the push-button horses, because the instructor knew I was the least likely off all the students to take a spill.


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