How to Convince Your Parents to Let You Ride Bareback
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If you want to ride bareback on a horse, but your parents are overly cautious and have never let you try, this article's for you. Just follow these steps and in no time at all, you will have changed their minds and shown them how well (and safely) you can ride bareback.
[edit] Steps
- Tell your parents that you want to try riding bareback on one of the horses you own/ride in lessons. Specifically mention one they they know is gentle.
- If they say no, explain (calmly) that you've been riding a horse with a saddle for some time, you'll have an adult (them or a riding instructor) around, you'll be riding a safe horse, and you're a good enough rider to be able to handle it.
- Have your riding instructor or another older rider vouch for you. They've seen you ride, and they know more about horses to make a judgment about your riding ability.
- If they persist, read an article or book on riding bareback, such as this one, just to double (or triple) check that you can do or learn everything you'll have to do. Maybe you aren't quite ready after all. However, if you're seriously looking into this, you probably are.
- Show a copy of the article to your parents, and explain that you can do all the things necessary, and will be safe. You should already wear a helmet, but suggest that they buy you a body protector or bareback pad to go along with it, if it would make them feel better.
- Once they finally agree, thank them, and offer to let them watch you the first time you ride. They should be confident that you are safe, prepared, and in good hands.
[edit] Tips
- Also, point out that riding bareback is a great way to improve your posture while riding. If you cannot balance well, you will fall off when you ride bareback. Your parents will probably be supportive if you explain how helpful it can be.
- Make sure your horse has already been warmed up before you go beyond a walk when riding bareback (or any other time, for that matter).
[edit] Warnings
- If one parent says no, don't go and ask your other parent and "forget" to mention that the other one already said no. That's not fair, and it may hurt your chances at getting permission later on.
- You are more likely to get injured when riding bareback, though safety gear will decrease the likelihood, to some extent.
- It is possible that your parents knows what they're talking about, and you are, in fact, not ready to ride bareback. Remember to always respect your parents' wishes when doing something dangerous like riding bareback.
- Always ride with a helmet.
