Bareback Pad - First Rides

The Bareback Pad has arrived! We went to test it out in the menage first, just in case 'Mr F' wasn't happy with it but all was fine.

To test further, 'Lillian' and I went out yesterday with the pad and just did a short roundabout ride (30 minutes-ish). I am very pleased with the pad and it doesn't slide at all. The padding protecting his withers is fantastic and we both feel much more comfortable.

 The pad.

'Mr F' with the pad.

He strides out much nicer and stumbles less.

For me however it is a case of going back to square one. Although I am a fit person and thanks to skiing and iceskating in my childhood and general outdoors activities I do have a quite fit body.

But after this 30 minute ride on the pad I realised I had muscles I didn't know I had!

It will take me a while to get my body (legs) used to it so I can do longer distances. 

But the overall feeling of being without those stirrups is great. Of course now it is all down to balance. 

However, it is important to note that I would ride with just a pad would I not completely trust 'Mr F'.

Especially since I now am starting from square one.

'Mr F' seems happy with the pad and he doesn't walk off when he sees it. He even is lowering his head again so I can put on the bridle where as before, when the saddle became unbearable for him, he would turn away his head.

Although the pad is padded, it still offers me a much more direct contact than the saddle. 'Mr F' reacts much quicker to my aids, too. In fact I don't need to do a lot at all now, its wonderful! 

Even chaning gaits is much easier as I can work with opening my hips, which is enough for 'Mr F' to know that he can pick up speed.

This bareback pad has a good side for 'Lillian' too: she no longer has to hear my complaints about stirrups!

Now its a matter of time for me to work out how to move with 'Mr F'!