Bareback Pads

[Possum]

Now - I was thinking of getting an Ansur - but not now... the treeless here is probably better for us...
So - shall I get a bareback pad? This is really to have fun, and hopefully improve the sitting trot... there are some available from the states for about £60 or so....

My horse is fine for me to ride bareback - I even schooled lateral movements bareback the other day - but I'm rather wobbly nowadays.

They have a slightly grippy surface - and a HANDLE!!!!

What do you think?.


http://www.parelli.biz/PNH/Tools4.html - bit expensive, this one.

http://www.statelinetack.com/viewProduct.d...dNum=EI3-720678

http://www.statelinetack.com/viewProduct.d...dNum=EI3-733232 (with stirrups too!)

http://www.bestfriendequine.com/bf_bareback_pad.html




 

[Heather]

Why not, Issy- as you say good for balance and still more comfortable than riding bareback itself, so give it a go!

Heather

[Woody]

This is just a personal view, but I have a parelli pad and before that I had a pad made for me that gave better wither clearance.  I found that I used them far less than I expected.  This was because to start with I thought I'd crash and burn without one and then couldn't be bothered to wait and carried on regardless.  At the time I was merrily plodding through levels 1, 2 and 3 of the parelli programme and suddenly realised that I didn't need one at all.


Now, let me share with you that I am most definately not a super confident, super talented rider (wish I was though) and my 16HH IDXTB is not a plod or someone to be messed with.  I guess it meant that I built things up slowly for my own safety.  The other great pleasure was just being able to jump on rather than tack up.  If I needed a bit more security (ok - it's a different feel as well) then I just took the stirrups of my HM dressage saddle and used that.

I personally worry a little about handles on bareback pads as if you really need to use it your're still not attached to the horse and both rider and pad might slip.  A good long growth of mane complete with stickly natural grease worked better for me - maybe this just shows I don't groom my horses enough which is why I stick to their coats???
 

[Weebonilass]

I have the Parelli pad and like it better than any I've used in the past.  I definitely feel more secure.  And I use my regularly because I have a horse with some chiropractic issues still and he feels better with some padding between me and his back.

I always recommend time riding bareback or with a pad.  Makes for a more independent seat.  I hadn't ridden bareback in about 20+ years and I can' believe how wobbly I am :(

[Possum]

As a kid I used to ride barback a LOT. We used to ride one, lead 2 each side and 2 behind - and trot to the riding school along 3 miles or so of roads!. 3 poeple - 21 horses!.

Now I'm 44 - and wobbly!.  

[Maz]

Don't bareback pads slip? I'd prefer riding without one, as I'd be scared that a pad would simply slip right round. Are they thick enough to make a big difference to the average horse and rider? As for the stirrups, there was an article on New Rider about them and the overall idea was that stirrups were dangerous as if you leant into either stirrup the pad would slip under the horse.