Hi Just John
I hate to hear that bareback riding is being discouraged as it is so useful for a rider. I wonder if those discouraging the use have really worked with bareback? Your experiences point out how beneficial it is. And I agree about bit-less bridles and used them on all my beginner ponies. It was interesting how quickly naughty ponies behaved when their mouths weren’t being jerked. Thank you for sharing with us. Barbara Ellin Fox

At a good riding school I used to get jumping lessons on their jumping lane.
Start with full tack.
Then drop the reins down the lane getting then at the end to go round to wait.

Then remove the stirrups so saddle no reins and no stirrups. Then remove the saddle and no reins. They also used to teach whole lessons bareback. It improved my balance, feel and seat tremendously.
I also rode there with a bitless bridle for the first time when they were considered unusual at best. At a pony club rally they wanted to send me home with a bitless bridle as I could not be in proper control. I pursuaded them unless I was out of control I should stay. It turned out I was in most control on the day. I got an apology at the end of the rally. It was the first time they had ever seen a horse ridden bitless.
I have seen lots of marks caused by injuries from saddles and girths over the years none from riding bareback.
Riding bareback reduces the carried weight by about 10kg.
I have carried on riding bareback as an adult and in the past when working at a riding school
I even used to teach on cold evening sitting bareback on a great pony with a big coat over the 2 of us, it kept me warmer and he like the company and the chance to move about. At the same yard we used to do one bareback hack a day at weekends. It was a very popular option but we only allowed selected riders who we knew were capable of the ride. It was a fast ride with a few fast gallops and several steep hills. We were lucky as we had access to a large enclosed deer park to ride in. I do not remember ever having someone come off on the bareback ride. The horses were always keen to be used for that ride.
It was a chance for them to have much more fun than on most rides.
The longest I have ridden bareback in a day is between 8 & 9 hours on a horse that had suffered a pinch of skin in a girth. We finished the day swimming in the sea with him. I rode him bareback every day for a week with a sea swim every day. This helped the injury heal quickly.

JayaMae
Growing up with the opportunity to ride bareback holds fond memories for me. We used to take the horses swimming in the bay. I like that you lunge your riders bareback with flexing exercises. That’s so good for balance and seat, to say nothing of confidence. Once a month bareback lessons with games sounds like a great way to develop skills, having fun at the same time.
Thanks for commenting . It’s good to hear for you. Barbara

Chris – I agree. Bareback definitely improves a rider. Winter is a great time for people to give it a try, but you’re right. It’s great for summer too. When I was a kid my horse and I used to swim in the bay, bareback, of course. Thanks for your comment. I always appreciate hearing that someone likes my blog posts. Barbara

Edward – Thank you for taking the time to comment. It makes me happy to know that I am helpful to other instructors. It’s what drives me to have The Riding Instructor. I appreciate your encouragement. Barbara