I can’t be the only horse girl who has a dream of getting on her horse bareback, and cantering around a huge open field – wind in her hair. Free. I have never done that. I have never been big on riding outside an arena, to be honest, nor have I ridden bareback many times. I guess I have never trusted my horses, or myself, enough. I am hoping to change that.

Last fall, I was able to ride one of my lease horses bareback a bit. He was older, and a real been there done that kind of guy, so of course I felt very comfortable. Before that, it had probably been ten or more years. I vaguely remember riding my horse Espresso bareback a few times, and before him my first horse Fellini. I never tried Chance bareback. I always felt that he would either love it, and never want a saddle again, or he would make me fear for my life. Sometimes I wish I had tried though because I think we could have really benefitted from it. For one, when you don’t have a saddle you can fully feel the horse. You can also feel what your body is doing. That was so helpful for me last fall, since I had had a lot of time off of riding. Then there is the obvious benefit – a deeper connection and sense of trust with your horse. You don’t have as much to hold on to, so you have to be able to trust your horse to take care of you.

Now, add in an open space and you really had better trust your horse! I have never ridden bareback in an open space, but it is a dream of mine so maybe one of these days I will build up the nerve!

Tell me, have you ever lived out the horse girl fantasy of riding bareback and free through an open field?? Is bareback riding a part of your routine? I’d love to know! Happy Friday, y’all!