Ha! I did it!

I did it! And I didn't die!

Okay, so I didn't think I would DIE, but something has kept me from riding my own horse bareback for 16 months. Yes, I know we're sans saddle in my avatar and side-bar pics. That was the first and last time I attempted it and those are pretty much the only two pictures that don't look like he hates me. Here are two examples that show how much fun we were NOT having on that day in October '08:

DEMON PONY!!!!

Compare this one to my avatar.....

I'm not really sure it took me so long to try it again. I kept telling myself that I should ride bareback more often since it is one of the many ways to become a better rider. I kept telling myself to do it but somehow kept on not actually doing it. Then I realized that I was afraid to do it but I could not rationalize that fear, and believe me: I am AWESOME at rationalizing my fear!!! So somehow I talked myself into doing it today. And it was just fine!

He stood perfectly still for me (something I absolutely DEMAND he learn to do) on a loose rein while I mounted and tried to get myself situated. I can clearly see his fat deposits when I'm up there without a saddle to hide it! I couldn't really ride up close to his withers since I don't have a pad - ouch - but I found a comfy enough seat. I asked him to lift his back and WOW did I feel the change in his back muscles and spine!!! He didn't want to keep it there and I wonder if having my weight concentrated over one area rather than spread out on the bars of the saddle makes lifting his back uncomfortable. He wasn't very good about keeping his neck flat and relaxed, but I wasn't being very good about monitoring since I was too busy monitoring my balance and how weird it felt not having a saddle underneath me. I don't know how long it's been since I rode a horse truly bareback. It might be since my 4-H days! I walk-jog-loped in both directions and did a few pivots but not much else. So it's done. We've done some bareback.

I will never feel as comfortable bareback as with a saddle, but I was relieved that I could ride all three gaits and I didn't lose my balance and scare myself, nor did I have to ask him to stop or grab mane or bounce on him. It was pretty easy. The last horse I rode bareback (with pad) was my dear Banee last summer. She is an interesting case because she is so sensitive that I learned to ride nearly without using my legs. Any leg pressure she takes as a cue to do something fancy. You want a lead change? Just nudge her. Another one? Nudge her with the other leg. She would do tempi changes! So when riding bareback, you have to be careful. If you close your legs for balance she goes faster or does something fancy....like a lead change...or three. But today with Junior I was able to close my legs around him and that was very helpful and quite comfortable. If I had had a pad to cover his withers It would have been even nicer. He was a very good boy.

I was thinking to myself about how the Native Peoples (and most likely the Europeans and Asians, too) started riding bareback. As impressive as it is to watch those historical re-enactors gallop bareback while shooting a bow, I also know that they used saddles when appropriate. Just like any technology - if they had had it, they would have used it. So I shall not feel too badly about using my saddle, but I will remember it is a saddle and not an easy-chair.

I start my western lessons back up tomorrow and Junior and I will be starting SHOWMANSHIP lessons soon! This will be interesting!