From saddle to bareback

Just wondering what it would take to get my STB to be ridden bareback. Hes never been ridden bareback and it worries me a bit because hes very responsive with leg aids, like VERY responsive.

I only have to squeeze him forward and before you know it, hes moving forward, almost to quick. Therefore im worried about gripping with my legs bareback.

Is there any way to perhaps desensitise him so i can ride him bareback? Or do you just jump on in the hope they dont bolt?

HEELLLPPPP.....

Thanks in advance.

I guess the best way is to get in the round yard and just walk them. I would use a neck strap to start with so that you can grip onto that and get your feel bareback - also get someone to lead you around.

How long has your standie been broken In??

Hes been broken in for around 4 years (not ridden for the last 2 of the 4 years) he is very sensitive, you only have to touch him with your heels and he lurches forward.

Neck strap sounds like a good idea!

Thanks.

SOme horses are different bareback to what they are under saddle - keep us posted with how you go. If he is a particularly sensitive horse, maybe try a bareback pad aswell.

Awwww Mr Wong is such a good boy, my 10 year old daughter got on him bareback and he did nothing out of the ordinary. She even crawled under him and he does nothing. (I have told her off for obvious reasons).

Hes such a good boy! He does what is asked of him all the time, and he tries really hard to please. He really has a heart of gold, i just cannot say enough about him.

I dont know what it is but whenever i sit on a bucket he has to back right up to me (almost ontop of me) so i rub his back legs....weird!

ROFL!!! a couple of our horses do that, don't even have to sit, just stand near them and they back up. Can be scary if u don't know the horse!!!!!

They love to have their butts scratched

Yeh Missy - The horse in the forum header backs up to us and gives us a good shove with her rump if we dont scratch it for her. lol Seen a few of our non horsey visitors freak out and run away from her lol. Just either side of her tail and she leans soo much she lamost falls over rofl.