Why do they say its dangerous to ride with stirrups with a bareback pad?
November 11, 2008 by English
Filed under Horse Tack
shannenagens asked:
I have seen a lot of articles that say you shouldn't put stirrups on your bareback pad. Why is that? Because my bareback pad has stirrups and i LOVE it!
*Southern Charmer* on Tue, 11th Nov 2008 3:26 am
It depends on your balance really. Bareback pads sleepeasier, so if you have stirrups on them and put more weight on one side you can slip under the horse.
Vader2504 on Tue, 11th Nov 2008 7:59 am
Because they can give uneven pressure on the horses back and it can also slip if more pressure is put on one then the other. If you have very good balance and dont depend on stirrups then you coul take them off. Have fun and stay safe!
delta_dawn on Tue, 11th Nov 2008 6:23 pm
Since bareback pads do not have tree like a normal saddle to keep it stable, and aren’t designed to be as secure as a treeless saddle, it could be very easy for the pad to slip if you put too much weight into one stirrup, especially in situations where your horse spooks and you lose your balance, in which case you could easily end up underneath the horse and/or being dragged with a foot stuck in the stirrup.
♥ Tippy on Fri, 14th Nov 2008 11:14 am
All bareback riding is supposed to do is help you balance on your horse without the aid of stirrups. Thats what bareback pads are for, and to give you more cushion. Bareback is supposed to again help you balance without stirrups.
If you decide to buy one be very careful choosing one. I have tried several types of bareback pads, and they all make the stirrups and girth too far forward. It’s like riding in a chair, and it makes it extremely difficult to keep your leg under you. In addition, there’s an on-going debate on whether bareback pads that have stirrups are safe or not. In my opinion, nothing is completely safe when you’re working with horses, but it does help to have the safest equipment available. So, if you plan to use a bareback pad that has stirrups, be sure to use ONLY quick-release or peacock stirrups.
Mulereiner on Mon, 17th Nov 2008 3:56 am
There is no breakaway system if you come off.
So bascially you get hung up, your horse runs, you get drug underneath the horse.
I’m all for bareback pads, just not stirrups.
At least with treed saddles, you have some protection, not always, but its definately not a risk I am taking nor my son.
Dark Rider on Tue, 18th Nov 2008 3:17 pm
Because since they don’t have a tre they aren’t as firm or secure and you could easily slip your pad over to one side if they weight gets too uneven.
Also, if your foot were to get caught and you fell your bareback pad would slide under your horses belly making it harder to get free if you were dragged.Saddles are more stable to they won’t slip.
Also, you’ll gain better balance without stirrups!
The Right Side on Fri, 21st Nov 2008 5:55 am
Probably so theres not a chance if the horse got wild and you fell off and were still caught in the stirrup and dragged you. I balance better without the stirrups but it is all personal preference really.
Jeff Sadler on Mon, 24th Nov 2008 12:12 am
There is no break away systems for most saddles either. None of the ones I have or ever had had them. The best you can do there is buy a break away stirrup.
It is considered dangerous because if you do not have very good balance you can get dumped and drug.
However, I used to love my bareback with stirrups and could move it around by intentionally putting my weight on one stirrup or the other to adjust it. I could do this at a trot or gallop and never had problems.
The truth is that the entire sport of horse back riding is dangerous. Do what you feel comfortable with but be aware of what can happen.
Charlax H on Thu, 27th Nov 2008 5:24 am
hotdogging can get ewe killed
its not even funny
there is a reason to be safe
Lusitano on Fri, 28th Nov 2008 8:16 pm
There are two good reasons;
1. the pad will easily slip around wit your weight, sliding off and taking you with it. A breast collar helps a bit
2 The more important is the same with any saddle without stirrup release bars. If you get your foot caught and fall, there is no quick release for your stirrup leather, stirrup, or your foot. You can get dragged until you free yourself! I learned this by gettign dragged myself. It was a lot of fun until then… Sure there are other reasons liek pressure on the horse’s back, but this one is enough to make you aware. At least use am escape stirrup!
Stardust on Tue, 2nd Dec 2008 5:14 am
Some really good advice here….I think they’re dangerous for lots of reasons but mostly for their slippability….not every has a perfect seat.
magichorselover on Thu, 4th Dec 2008 5:32 am
Notoriously slippery bareback pads + your feet in stirrups = extremely dangerous situation. Enough said.