First ride (for the horse!) - saddle or not?

[lisa l aka marci]

Thought I'd start a new thread -

When you first ride your horse, do you use a saddle or go bareback? I started riding Marci bareback before using a saddle - with her I felt more secure, and didn't have to worry about 'extra' stuff in case she protested.....

[GeorgeGuns]

I like saddle first because I want to make sure they are totally cool with working with all that on before i get on. I do get a bareback spin around the pen in within a few rides tho, after i know they are not into bucking or other silliness.

[Moniece Dickerson]

Bob Marshal or another secure treeless saddle for the first ride and thereafter if possible.This would be a happy medium for both.The person gets a secure seat and the horse gets comfort and doesn't have to deal with alot of extra weight wich allows him or her to concentrate more on, and process, what is going on wich is what you want.Using a treed saddle could really complicate things if the saddle does not fit just perfectly because the horse would be distracted by the discomfort PLUS trying to figure out what you want.A recipe for a possible tantrum forsure.I'd wait till a treeless,and preferably a Bob Marshal,was available.JMO ofcourse.Moniece

[lynne K]

I did all three of mine bareback, I started out just leaning over them, and gradually getting them use to me doing that, and getting use to my weight, and over time they just walked around with me laying across there back, then I would bring my leg across slowly over there back, and then just sat on them. if they wanted to walk that was fine, I felt it was much quicker to slid off off if need be, but never had to. I also ground drove them during that period, I found it went well for me. we all have our own ways of doing things.

[moonrize]

If you're doing your training correctly, your horse will already be used to the saddle long before you even dream of riding. He will have been saddled, turned loose in the saddle, longed under saddle, and ground driven. The saddle is not a problem to a horse that has appropriate ground training.

[Jasfino]

Bareback for the first few rides has worked best for me. Two of the ones I started had already accepted the saddle but for the first ride I choose to do it bareback. Its the way I feel it the most comfortable for the horse and myself. Its worked great for me so far..and both of my horses have done fine with it. :D

[CarolU]

I've done it both ways. I think it really depends on YOU, how comfortable you feel bareback. Any horse will take a few jittery steps as the adjust to weight on their back. They will also spook a little. You HAVE TO BE TOTALLY RELAXED throughout so the horse gains confidence in you. If you can't do that bareback, then saddle by all means. If you don't feel confident being relaxed, even with a saddle, then have someone else who IS confident do it. The WORST thing that can happen is the rider 'clamp on' in fright and scare the youngster. This will get a bucking crash very fast.

But as said, put the saddle on/off on/off repeatedly, lunge and drive with the saddle on. Practice putting weight in one stirrup and off, and again and again. do everything until the horse is totally bored with it, before you move on to the next step.

[Moniece Dickerson]

Sally is right...the horse *should* be used to the saddle already but keep in mind it must fit well.The horse may be used to the saddle,may be used to you laying over the saddle but is not used to carying the saddle AND you around while moving.I like the horse being led around the first time.Do yourself a favor and use a cheap saddle when you put it on and let the horse do what it's gonna do getting used to it.Some want to roll with it and can "do a job on a saddle"others just run,buck,and/or walk around.I also like the idea,as suggested,of laying over the back and letting the horse walk or whateverI guess I just figure i'm gonna be using a saddle so the horse might as well be getting used to it that way from the start.Hope this helps!Moniece