Bareback Riding for Better Balance

Lindsey Partridge of Harmony Horsemanship riding in a ThinLine Comfort Bareback Saddle Pad
Lindsey Partridge of Harmony Horsemanship

Many young riders choose to “ditch the saddle,” heading off onto the trails bareback. With nothing between you and your horse, we, in our youth, quickly gained confidence and a steadfast seat. However, as we mature, equestrians frequently leave bareback riding in their youth as a fond memory.

The fact is, however, that bareback riding is fun for equestrians of all ages. It helps you to build a deeper partnership with your horse and also develop a better sense of balance when mounted. In this blog post, we look at the benefits of riding your horse bareback as well as some important safety measures to keep in mind.

Safe With(out) a Saddle

While it is imperative that you keep safety at the forefront of your mind when riding your horse, it becomes even more important when you are riding bareback because you do not have the security of the saddle or the stirrups. Even if you are an experienced equestrian, riding bareback requires an additional set of skills and should be approached with care.

Having the proper equipment is essential when riding bareback. You will need to have a well-fitting horseback riding helmet to protect you in the case of a fall; you can learn more about selecting the best helmet for you on our blog post, The Ultimate Guide to Buying an Equestrian Helmet.

Many equestrians also feel more secure with a bareback pad. The saddle-shaped, thin pads still allow you to fully feel your horse’s movements underneath you while protecting your seat from your horse’s bony spine and withers and dirt. Some styles come with adjustable stirrups, which are helpful if you are looking for more security or are just starting to explore the world of bareback riding. Do not use the stirrups for mounting, they are meant only for balancing purposes.

ThinLine Comfort Bareback Saddle Pad
A bareback pad like the ThinLine Comfort Bareback Saddle Pad can make bareback riding more comfortable

Make sure that you try out bareback riding initially on a calm, relaxed horse in an enclosed area. If you do not have a horse with an appropriate disposition for bareback riding, we recommended trying to borrow or having a lesson on one that is. Ideally, your first bareback riding experience will be in an arena with soft footing, but, in a pinch, a well-fenced (and relatively flat) pasture will suffice. After you have become more comfortable and confident in your bareback riding skills, you can begin to venture out onto the trails.

Your First Ride

When you begin bareback riding, it is important to start slowly, just as you did when first learning how to ride. Ideally, you will have a friend or riding instructor assisting you and watching you for your first attempt. Because you do not have stirrups, you will need a tall mounting block (or receive a leg-up from a friend) to swing your leg up and over your horse’s back. If you are using a bareback pad with stirrups, do not use the stirrups to mount because it will twist the pad and pull it out of position. After you have mounted, stay standing for a moment. Drape your legs over the barrel of your horse and wiggle your seat bones to find your balance. Try shifting forward or backward slightly until you feel comfortable and centered in your position on your horse’s back.

After you are accustomed to your new position, ask your horse to walk. As you start moving, you can grab a handful of mane which will prevent you from pulling on your horse’s mouth. Keep your legs long (they may inadvertently slowly creep up bending the knee) and sit as tall as possible (many riders find themselves crouching forward in the fetal position). Work on staying balanced in the center of your horse’s back, focusing on feeling the individual footfalls through your seat.

Relying on your balance, not a tight leg grip, work on walk/halt transitions and circle and serpentine figures. Remind yourself to stay centered over your horse’s spine with a leg that drapes over the barrel (try not to clench your legs). Notice how your balance shifts with your horse’s movements, keeping your seat bones loose and supple to follow your horse’s back.

Once you become confident at the walk, you can move on to the trot or jog. Again, grab mane to protect your horse’s mouth as you move on to this gait. Focus on moving your seat bones to absorb the shock and concussion of your horse’s suspension and movements. It is important to use your balance to stay properly positioned. Try staying centered and comfortable through walk/trot (or jog) transitions and add circles into your ride for variety.

Continue at the walk and jog until you are completely at ease riding your horse without a saddle. Many equestrians take a few rides before they are ready to move up to the canter or lope. Whenever you introduce new movements or gaits into your repertoire, again make sure that you have a firm grasp on the mane to protect your horse’s mouth. It is important to never pull on the reins to balance yourself. With a bit of practice, you will soon be putting your horse through his paces, both in the ring and on the trail!

Benefits of Bareback Riding

Riding your horse bareback is a whole lot of fun, but the benefits extend far beyond simple enjoyment. By riding your horse without a saddle, you can develop a better understanding of your horse’s movements and hoof falls. You will begin to feel small shifts in your horse’s balance and understand how that translates to their performance under saddle. Many equestrians notice that when riding bareback they have a better connection with their equine companion and are able to feel their horse become tense or nervous before it becomes outwardly noticeable.

Many equestrians notice that when riding bareback they have a better connection with their equine companion and are able to feel their horse become tense or nervous before it becomes outwardly noticeable.

Your balance (in and out of the saddle) will also increase because you are relying on your center of balance and gravity to stay properly positioned, instead of your saddle, stirrups, and leg muscles. This will help build your core muscles as well, which will translate to stronger and more confident riding.

Additionally, if you do not have a properly fitting saddle for your horse, riding bareback may allow you to keep your horse fit and in work until you are able to make your saddle purchase. If you suspect that your horse has a sore back due to an ill-fitting saddle, make sure that you approach bareback riding gradually to ensure that your horse is, in fact, more comfortable without the saddle. Generally, riding bareback is not recommended for horses with sore backs because it may cause painful pressure points.

Riding bareback is a wonderful way to strengthen your connection with your horse while also building your core muscles and balance. Make sure that you start slowly to ensure that both you and your horse remain comfortable and confident about this new method of riding. Even experienced riders have difficulty riding bareback, so keep trying even if you find it hard at first. After a bit of practice and dedication, you will be able to ride bareback as confidently as you did as a young equestrian!


At The Cheshire Horse, we love to ride bareback. If you have any questions about integrating this form of riding into your routine or would like assistance choosing the best bareback pad for you and your horse, we encourage you to speak with a member of our friendly and highly trained sales staff. We are excited to talk with you about your bareback riding journey!

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