Scuffy's Bareback Adventure
January 4th 2008 01:03
Scuffy ready for her bareback ride on Tippy at Kia-ora Stables
Normally when you or I want to ride bareback we have to consider the back of the horse. Is it wide enough, and does the spine sit up and cause discomfort? If we are uncomfortable we cannot relax and guide the horse easily to where we want him or her to go.
We usually have to stay relaxed enough not to grip the sides of our horse too strongly, as he may interpret that as an aid to move forward in a faster gait. It better if we wear a helmet, as the likelihood of falling off is higher and if we do fall off, hope we don't fall under and come in contact with any hooves.
We also have to know our horse, if he is not used o us climbing up without a saddle he may spook and knock us off.
Scuffy never had these concerns.
She just had to sit up and there and hang on!
Tippy was a very obliging riding companion, he used to belong to Steph and he could do a nice lazy walk around the indoor arena for Scuffy to have her weekly riding lesson.
The main concern for Scuffy was how to dismount. It was way too high to jump from Tippy's back. Someone would assist her with this and lift her down when she indicates she has had enough equitation for the day. One day she did attempt her own dismount and she was not in good health afterwards. Thankfully the chiropractor was close by and due to drop into the stables within hours and had her feeling better with a small adjustment.
Most days TIppy and Scuffy had their lesson on a lunge line. But on the days when Scuffy was in an assertive mood, she will sit up on Tippy and guide her on a free lunge, leaning on the side of Tippy's back she wanted him to flex in on. If Tippy stepped up to a trot Scuffy will give a little yap to let him know she is not comfortable and Tippy will acknowledge that as a half halt and step back down to a walk.
We didn't see either one of this riding combination develop a sweat in their session, but who knows if they were ever to work their way up to a canter, we may have been able to see some foam come up on Tippy. Scuffy I expect would have remained as cool and in command at that gait as well.
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Comment by Aimzster
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Comment by Catherine
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They are great animals Katyzzz, I hope to get a few more of Scuffy's "tails" tales to break up the serious blogs. She really is a delight.