Teddy Log: #177 - Bareback riding

Teddy Log: #177 - Bareback riding: I grew up riding bareback. Not well, but nonetheless I hardly used a saddle back then. It seems right and it was definitely convenient. I ...

Teddy Log: #177 - Bareback riding

Teddy Log: #177 - Bareback riding: I grew up riding bareback. Not well, but nonetheless I hardly used a saddle back then. It seems right and it was definitely convenient. I ...

#177 - Bareback riding

I grew up riding bareback. Not well, but nonetheless I hardly used a saddle back then. It seems right and it was definitely convenient.

I thought I would try to ride Teddy bareback but wasn't sure if he'd had the experience before. So yesterday he followed me to the crush area, which has a section I can seal off into a small yard, and I closed the gate behind him and gave him a good brush. He loved it.

The crush area is not big enough to ride in but he can spin around in it if he likes so I thought it would be a good location to see how he feels about someone getting on him without a saddle. At least he wouldn't get far if he tried to nick off and that he wouldn't feel threatened as the enclosure wasn't too small that he couldn't move.

After loving me for brushing him, I bridled him up, got the steps out and put him along side them.  I began by just rubbing him on the back. And what a big back it is. The boy is chunky still.  Slowly I added more pressure to the rubs and I could tell he was tentative about it because he would accept it for a moment then step away. Each time he accepted the touching of his back I would take the pressure off of him and praise him. We did this for a while until I was able to drape myself across his back. This was the real test. He only accepted this for a second before stepping away, and I slid off each time he did, but I praised him for accepting it in the first place.

We did this little game for a while and he was very well behaved. I could see his confidence building. I could tell he didn't know what to make of it and I left it on a good note to build him up to it over time.

Definitely slow steps with this one.

Teddy Log: #176 - getting back into it nicely.

Teddy Log: #176 - getting back into it nicely.: Teddy tried it on in his very typical way when I mounted today. I'm determined that he will stand square and still when I mount and I take a...

#176 - getting back into it nicely.

Teddy tried it on in his very typical way when I mounted today. I'm determined that he will stand square and still when I mount and I take all the time it takes to gently encourage him into the right position. Sunday he did well but today I think he was like, "we only went riding two days ago, you've got to be kidding!" so today he would move just a little out to the side and when that didn't work he even tried a little nip but missed. It took a good 15 minutes to work through it all.

Once mounted we did some more exercises and did an excellent job. To improve and achieve centred riding I rode the last ten minutes with my feet out of the stirrups and the stirrups crossed over the front of the saddle. I actually found it better. Must be as I used to ride bareback as a kid (badly!) I did prefer it and it is good to feel the stability in myself. I do like the stock saddle too.

Teddy Log: #175 - Misson Accomplished!

Teddy Log: #175 - Misson Accomplished!: Teddy and I went for our first ride in ages today. He was a good boy. I was strict on him not moving while I mounted and he did great after ...

#175 - Misson Accomplished!

Teddy and I went for our first ride in ages today. He was a good boy. I was strict on him not moving while I mounted and he did great after a tiny amount of encouragement, then we just walked and trotted around the front paddock, going over exercises we are used to doing. The moment we got into trot he head tossed the worsed he has in ages but I was expecting it. Otherwise he did a great job.
Slowly but surely.

I'm stuffed now, I hope I have the energy to do the gardening I've been wanting to do. 

Teddy Log: #174 - Gearing up for a great summer

Teddy Log: #174 - Gearing up for a great summer: Teddy and I are both gearing up to make the most of the coming warm weather, regular riding and the return of "Teddy Log". We are both out...