Bareback Pad: Riding Without a Saddle, Padded and with a Safe Handle
With a bareback pad you feel your horse's movement directly and still sit softly and securely. Here you will find bareback pads for adults and children.
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Waldhausen Bareback Pad Riding Pad without Saddle, incl. Girth, grey/red Shetty
Variants from €64.32
Sale price: €75.24 Regular price: €89.95 (16.35% saved) %
Covalliero Riding Pad AiRide, black, 50 cm, foam padding for comfort
Sale price: €49.12 Regular price: €54.99 (10.67% saved)
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Waldhausen Suede Riding Pad with Leather Grab Handle, Non-Slip, Pony
Variants from €146.27
Sale price: €163.02 Regular price: €189.95 (14.18% saved) %
Waldhausen Soft Riding Pad, Faux Fur Underside, Grippy Suede Top, bordeaux Pony
Sale price: €46.17 Regular price: €59.95 (22.99% saved)
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Waldhausen Kids' Riding Pad, black/grey, complete with stirrups, 15"/38 cm
Sale price: €113.90 Regular price: €129.95 (12.35% saved)
Bareback Pad: close to your horse, soft to sit on
A bareback pad is a padded cushion without a tree that you fasten directly onto your horse's back. You sit closer to your horse than in a saddle and feel every movement. That makes it popular for relaxed rides, groundwork with a short spell on board, seat training and for fun with children. Here you will find models with foam filling, suede covers, a grab handle and children's riding pads with a safety handle.
What a bareback pad is good for
Without a saddle you learn to balance your seat and go with your horse's movement. Many riders use the pad for short hacks, relaxed sessions in walk and trot or for horses that cannot wear a saddle for a while. A handle gives security when mounting and in unsettled moments. For children, riding pads with a handle and firm moulded foam are ideal, so they can hold on well and stay safely on top.
Using it kindly on the back
A bareback pad has no tree to spread the weight. Your weight therefore acts in a more concentrated way on the back, especially under the seat bones. It is best to use the pad for shorter sessions and make sure your horse is well muscled. For a narrow wither or a sensitive back, a pad with thicker padding is worthwhile. Heavier riders and long rides are usually better served by a well-fitting saddle.
Frequently asked questions
Can I attach stirrups to a bareback pad?
Some models allow it, but it is often viewed critically. Without a tree, the pull of the stirrups acts on specific points of the back. If you do use stirrups, only briefly and with a light foot.
Does a bareback pad slip easily?
A well-girthed pad with a non-slip underside sits surprisingly securely. On horses without pronounced withers it can shift more easily, in which case a non-slip pad and careful tightening of the girth help. Mounting and dismounting work best from a mounting block.
Is a bareback pad suitable for beginners?
For first steps on the lunge or on the lead rein yes, because you get a good feel for the movement. A handle gives extra security. For riding out independently, beginners are usually safer in a saddle.
Bareback pads and riding pads for all ages
A bareback pad brings you close to your horse. You feel how the back moves and learn to go with it in a relaxed, balanced way. That is good for seat training, for easy rides in walk or for a break from the saddle. Models with foam filling are pleasantly padded, suede covers give good grip, and a grab handle adds security when mounting. Bareback pads with a handle also work well for groundwork with a short spell on board. For children there are riding pads with a sturdy handle and moulded foam, so the first rounds on the pony are fun. Because a pad has no tree, it is best used for shorter sessions on a well-muscled back. That way riding without a saddle becomes a lovely change for you both and brings you even closer together. Many horses visibly enjoy it too.