Ridecamp: Re: [RC] grip with their calves

I have very long legs, and I have a hard time riding bareback.  When I was a
kid (14-15)  I rode quarter horses and apps bareback at a full gallop
without a problem, and my legs were the same length then, so I think my
problem may be that so many arabs have a kinda wide back with slab sides.
My legs can only contact the horse from mid-thigh up.  Mid thigh down to
knees just don't touch the horse.  Therefore I am very unstable.  I have no
business riding those types of horses bareback.  I did anyway and my gelding
gave a little buck and off I slipped, landing on my left leg and broke it to
pieces.  So here I sit with an external fixator on my leg swearing I WILL
NEVER RIDE BAREBACK AGAIN!  I can work on my independent seat by dropping
the stirrups in my english endurance saddle!
Debbie Trimble



----- Original Message -----
From: "April Johnson" <eightylee@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "sharp penny" <penelope_75647@xxxxxxxxx>; <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, August 14, 2002 7:46 PM
Subject: Re: [RC] grip with their calves


> Guess I have to disagree with that. I do a lot of bareback riding. Have in
> the past. Do now. I rarely touch my horses with my calves. I use below my
> knee for cueing only. I "hold on" with my thighs. I still have fits riding
> in a saddle. One of my "things" is to consciously relax my thighs so I'm
not
> gripping at a trot. In a saddle, gripping with my thighs translates into
> scars from rubbed off skin. Bareback, the constant contraction and
> relaxation of my thigh muscles translates into balance and a good seat.
(No,
> I don't think about it, I just do it...)
>
> I do agree that not every horse is built and/or meant for barebacking. I
> have 2 grey Arabian geldings. My 13 year old free lease, Serts, is perfect
> for barebacking. Round, low withered, extremely smooth gaits. When I ride
> him, I forego the saddle and just ride bareback. I have a bareback pad (NO
> STIRRUPS..please don't get me started on that) that I use with a 1/4"
> non-slip pad underneath, but sometimes I'm even too lazy to get that out.
> Depends on how much I'll be annoyed by having sweat on my pants.
>
> Anyway, my 8 year old (he's mine, I bought him), Tanna, can be ridden
> bareback. But he's narrower, higher withers, and spooks more often and
more
> violently than Serts. And his trot is bouncier than Serts'. So I rarely go
> bareback on Tanna. Have been known to do it, though.
>
> I have seen several horses that I wouldn't even attempt to ride bareback.
> The one that comes to mind is the late Baru. I remember seeing her on my
> first endurance (ok, LD) ride and agreeing without a doubt with Carla that
> she was not built for bareback riding.
>
> I love riding bareback. But I also love riding Tanna. So I ride in a
saddle
> on Tanna and bareback on Serts. I'm lucky to have such good horses!
>
> April
> Nashville, TN
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "sharp penny" <penelope_75647@xxxxxxxxx>
>
>
>   Those of us with horses that have a very high backbone
> shudder at the thought of attempting to ride
> bareback...ouch!!!!
>   Interesting enough, people that do a lot of bareback
> riding have a tendency to grip with their calves...a major
> no no in any discipline of riding.
>
>
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