I Ride My Thoroughbred Better Bareback

Go figure. Despite his gigantic withers, slightly bony back, and springy trot, I apparently ride Ace better bareback than I do under saddle.

I went out to barn chores last night and was kinda tired, so I wasn’t going to do anything with Ace. But I saw his cute face and couldn’t help myself. I I ran a quick brush over him threw on my helmet, stuck his halter on, and swung up sans tack (much more gracefully than my last bareback mounting, I’d like to add).

He moved right off for me. He was energtic and had his ears up. He was turning without bulging his right shoulder. I asked for trot and he stepped right into and stayed in it without running me into walls (again, poor shoulder control), or threatening to break gait.

I thought, who is this horse and how do I get him all the time?

At first I wondered if it was my saddle that caused our straightness and resistance issues (which hasn’t involved stopping lately, but regular convincing to stay in motion).

But then I realized that the even bigger difference was ME. I was sitting on him and riding completely differently bareback.

My seat was better and more balanced.

I was more centered and didn’t throw my shoulders forward.

My legs were quieter.

I was less inclined to constantly bug him with my legs to get straightness or forward.

My hands were following better.

I would think that most people are less balanced and comfortable when riding bareback. Especially on a bouncy, bony thoroughbred. But not me. I guess I have spent the last few winters riding exclusively bareback. And I’m still not in the greatest riding shape as I try to get back my position and strength.

So, I have a new plan for this weekend and the coming week. I’m going to ride bareback again. Then I’m going to go back to saddle, but without stirrups.

I need to work on transferring my better bareback balance and position to riding in a saddle with stirrups. I might also convince Dave to lunge Ace with me on his back.

Less focus on what Ace is doing and more focus on what I’m doing may just solve a lot of our basic problems. I’ve been aware of that for the last few weeks, but now I have a few more specific ideas of what exactly I need to do and the feel I need to accomplish.

I kinda like the knowledge that it’s me who is the problem, not Ace. I know what I need to fix and what to do to make that happen. Plus, I like having a concrete goal.