Wanting to buy a bareback pad...

Question
My horse has been a school horse (obviously), and I just bought her and love her so much! She is 18, the cool thing is is that everyone at my barn begged my parents to buy her b/c they all hated her, except 4 me!!! :). I recently saw this bareback pad with sturrups that I thought was perfect! I didn't buy it yet, What my main question is is that I haven't ridden bareback with her yet and how do you think I should get prepared with her? She is kind of lazy in the center, then gets regular on the rail... yeah (just to tell you what she is like). Thank you 4 your time, Bye!

Answer
Hi,

Sounds like you got a great new horse. What a fun summer you have to look forward to. I had to say this but I am not a fan of bareback pads with stirrups. The reason being, there is no tree for stability and I've seen many people lose their balance, put too much weight on one side and the pad (regardless of how tight you get it) will roll off to the side, causing the stirrup to flex and a huge risk of the riders foot getting trapped as the pad continues to slide under the horses belly. That being said, I'd highly suggest one without stirrups instead. Be sure you can do all gaits (walk, trot, lope), stop, turn, back, etc., with your horse using now stirrups and not holding onto the horn or mane. At that point, I'd introduce your horse to the bareback pad, while on the lungeline, it's important to get it snug but not so snug that it hurts. I'd suggest a pad with a padded cinch, vesus the kind that just have a nylon blanket type strap and metal hook. If your horse shows no reaction to that, I'd begin by having someone hold her while you get on (wear a helmet, please) and spend some time petting your horse before walking off. Be prepared (always) for a dismount if needed, I'd practice a few one rein stops with the saddle. Another important exercise is to decide how you are going to mount her. While you might be able to swing up, that's not something I suggest, especially at first. A mounting block is your safest choice, next a fence rail. Be sure you can climb up whatever device you are going to use, while your horse stands quietly before attempting it with a bareback pad. The last and final thing to keep in mind, is that without the leather and stability of a saddle, your  movements will be trasmitted to her much more quickly and forecfully, gripping with your knees or calves might not have an instant (or any) reaction with a saddle, but without one, you might find that her accelation and sensitivity is much more severe. So keep your aids light and soft. All that said, I do believe that everyone should practice riding bareback, it will make a you a better rider, with better balance and control of your directional aids. And it's always good to know in an emergency situation as well. Good luck and remember to be safe ane wear a helmet.

Happy Trails,

Jen