barebacking it
DANIEL RAY MCKINZIE (DaCentaur@ziggycom.net)
Thu, 7 Nov 1996 16:26:28 -0600
Ya, go for it. I started out this way mostly due to lack of not having my
own saddle, but also feeling it would be easier on my young Arab mare. I
trained her this way and never used a saddle. She responds so well to leg
cues and general body language. It also helped me so much because of the
physical conditioning you get from having to balance and hang on with just
your inner thighs. You would not believe the burn you get. Try it for a
short ride at first and then saddle up the next day and see and feel the
difference. I used to train wild mustangs while staying with a Western
Shoshone family in Nevada and mostly rode them bareback through all kinds
of terrain. It is quite dangerous though and not recommended for everyone.
I also decided not to shoe my horses because from what I experienced out
West. The wild horses had such rugged feet but they were so trimmed
looking and more healthier looking than any I had ever seen. I am also
lightweight and ride in such a manner that I feel I hardly put any more
extra weight on them. I do consider shoeing though for riding in certain
terrains and for horses unaccustomed to such terrain. I would love to hear
more on this subject because I am at odds with myself sometimes on this. I
am just a naturalist though and feel it would be better for the horse to
allow its hooves to work like they were genetically designed to. Has
anyone tried these new interchangeable pad insert shoes; forgot the name?