How to Train a Horse to Bareback Riding

Riding bareback gives horse owners a real sense of freedom, and there is nothing like the feeling of galloping through the field without a saddle. It is important, however, to prepare your horse properly for life without a saddle. Most horses will take to bareback riding quite readily, but it is important to make the transition with care.

Things You'll Need

  • Bridle
  • Bareback pad
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Instructions

  1. Training a Horse to Ride Bareback

    • 1

      Teach your horse to stand still while mounting. When you make the transition from saddle to bareback riding, you will no longer have a stirrup available to help you mount your horse. That is why it is so important to train your horse to stand still for mounting every time. If your horse begins to move off while you are mounting, immediately step down and make your horse move. Continue to do this until your horse is standing stock still every time.

    • 2

      Train your horse to stand still next to objects like fences, mounting blocks, and the like. Unless you are unusually limber, you may need to climb on one of these objects to ride your horse bareback. This will be particularly important if you plan to trail ride bareback. If you have to dismount your horse you need to make sure you can get back on by standing on a convenient tree stump or log. You can train this the same way you train your horse to not move while you are mounting--just make him move his feet if he moves away as you try to get on from a fence rail or other object.

    • 3

      Use a bareback pad to make the final transition from a full size saddle to no saddle at all. A bareback pad has stirrups and a cinch like a saddle, but it is basically just a piece of cloth that sits on the horse's back. A bareback pad is a great training tool, and it can also be a good alternative when you want to ride bareback without getting horsehair all over your clothes. After your horse has gotten used to riding with the bareback pad, you can remove it and make the transition to true saddle-free riding.