by Margaret Merrill

Created on: July 31, 2008   Last Updated: June 25, 2009

Riding a horse bareback gives any rider a thrill. I know I thought I was on top of a mountain when I rode bareback for the very first time. No, actually, I was on top of the world. Riding bareback is not really hard, either. However, until you have done it quite a few times, always have someone with you that has a lot of experience with bareback riding.

Different horses are better for bareback riding than others, especially for your first time. It is common sense, really, that you would not even try to use a Mustang for bareback riding, because they are too wild. Now, there are some cowboys that might try that, and even succeed, but they have years of practice. Ask the trainer that you are working with which would be the best horse available for bareback riding; he or she will lead you to the most suitable horse for you.

One of the first things that you have to know before you even attempt to ride a horse bareback is how to ride a horse, period. In other words, if you haven't ridden a horse before, don't try to ride bareback first! You have to learn several crucial things first before attempting to ride bareback. Of course, make sure that your horse is in a familiar area, preferably a corral or an arena, so that it feels comfortable while you are learning.

There is another, really significant thing to think about, too, that very few people don't realize. Horses are very sensitive creatures, and so any time you move a part of your body, they're going to feel it, and react accordingly. If you move your head, they feel it; and if you move your leg, they feel that, too.

How are you going to get on your horse? Decide beforehand how you are going to do this. The trainer would be helpful with this. He or she would be able to tell you if Betty Lou would be cantankerous or not and what problems she may cause you when it came time to mount.

There are mounting blocks, or you can get someone to give you a foot up. Of course, there is the old "vaulting on" method. This can be done if you and your horse are really familiar with each other. But, I don't recommend it as you might vault over, and hurt yourself in several other ways, like a friend of mine did (a broken collarbone and arm.)

Once you have gotten onto the back of your horse, and are relaxed, look around at the landscape with your eyes and focus on where you want to go. Why? Well, in general your head is about twenty to twenty five percent of your body weight. The horse will feel your head turn the way you are looking,

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