BAREBACK DRESSAGE - Candace Clemens uses Mounted Yoga at Intermediare 1

Both the horse and rider in this Intermediare I test were recovering from serious leg injuries. As I have discovered in the past, riding bareback is a great way to evaluate and detect subtle back stiffness and to force the rider to address and correct the problem immediately (or else you bounce off!). In this case, while the brilliance still needs to be added and pirouettes need work, this horse has now become relaxed and obedient to the rider's lightest aids, and both horse and rider are relaxed and comfortable with each other. Previously, the rider (me) could not sit this horse's huge trot. Interested riders should contact Candace Clemens about Bareback Dressage. I am available for demonstrations. Many thanks to talented clinician Maryal Barnett,, videographer Karen Sergey, and Mistover Equestrian Center for providing me the opportunity to ride bareback in such wonderful facilities with great instruction. Watson has since gone to a new, very happy owner, due to a change in this rider's personal circumstances. He is much missed.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• Bareback Dressage
• Intermediare I
• Mounted Yoga
• Candace Clemens
• horses for sale

[mysocksskilletrocks]

wow you are like amazing. How do you manage to sit your horses trot?! I have a 3rd level dressage holsteiner and I can barely sit his trot. Any tips?

[Walnut28Comms]

@mysocksskilletrocks OH...PS -- if you do decide to try bareback, get someone to hold him for you the first time you climb on his back. My boy was a bit startled when i lay over his back the first time with no saddle, and scooted off and I had to wait for someone to come hold him for me. It amazes me that these big warmbloods sometimes seem to lack common sense of your average trail horse.

[mysocksskilletrocks]

@Walnut28Comms haha They arent called dumbbloods for nothing! lol i ride Tybee (my horse) bareback all the time and can sit his canter no problem and his trot fine, but only when he is really slow and collected. thanks for the advice though.

[Walnut28Comms]

@mysocksskilletrocks yes...that's how Watson was. But I just kept asking for medium trot. As soon as he got too bouncy or wiggly or heavy on my hand, I'd half halt, and then ask again. It worked like a charm. Eventually I'd get the "magic carpet trot." With the saddle, we could get a GREAT, smooth extended trot if someone worked him at Piaffe/half-steps on the ground, and then ask for medium trot. Sometimes his incredibly bouncy trot would feel so smooth and powerful, had to believe!

[mysocksskilletrocks]

@Walnut28Comms wow i will have to try it. usually when his trot gets to bouncy for me i just start posting.

[Walnut28Comms]

@mysocksskilletrocks Nope...I'll bet you $5 if, instead of giving in to posting, you half halt and ask again for a good, smooth medium trot, w/in 3 tries, you'll get it! Let me know how it goes. If you bounce, don't give him. Make HIM give in.

[PaulaEdwina]

That was awesome. Just recently on Chronicle of the Horse we were talking about starting a dressage bareback movement! (Can we start a movement?) There are many reasons for the movement. For most it has to do with developing a real seat and connection with your horse. For me as well it is for developing a better relationship with my horse and giving us both a break from saddle fitting woes that have soured both of us. Brilliant! Thank you.

[antzarestupid]

@Walnut28comms try for one week, (or one week worth of rideing if you cant ride everyday) take your stirrups off. Not just flip them over the saddle, but off, leathers and all. That way you're forced to sit. (or post without stirrups! really hard to do) I always just start posting too! Lol its hard not to. But with stirrups in the barn..you have no choice.

[xXGlamRiderXx]

How on earth can you sit that horse's trot, let alone the extended trot? I mean, I can sit a working trot, but definitely not extended. Wow, this is really impressive.

[mysocksskilletrocks]

@Walnut28Comms i am definantly going to have to try that, i think i am going to the barn monday so i will work on not posting. lol

[Walnut28Comms]

@mysocksskilletrocks I could NOT sit this horse's trot to save my soul! I could fake it at a show, but in reality, when he was REALLY REALLY collected, his trot became very smooth! But...getting him really collected w/out him blowing up was difficult. But that is the truth....if they are "walking on their hind legs" (i.e. their balance shifted properly back) the trot become smooth.. Bareback fixed it all. Try it. Just make the horse go as slow as you need to sit. You'll both love it.