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An approach sometimes used to teach riders is to insist that riding bareback is the ultimate in riding and creates the best balance between horse and rider.

True, it does take skill and balance to ride without a saddle, but there are more problems with this approach than not.

Bareback usually creates two basic types of riders. First, those who learn to "grip" like monkeys with their legs. This ends up forcing the seat off the horse’s back, taking away one of the rider’s most effective aids. Then there are those who don’t grip, they pull there hips way under themselves to avoid pelvic damage on the wither. And end up with their legs pushed forward, once again left without proper aids.

The horse appreciates the rider who grips, as this removes the seat bones from digging into the middle of his bare back. However the other rider makes it a lot easier to stop and rest as their legs are somewhere up by his shoulder.

This isn’t to say you absolutely cannot find your "seat" bareback, but once you do, you’ll wish for a saddle. The proper seat is a function of three bones, and when the front one finds its place, you’re basically bone to bone with the horse’s spine! Because of this minor detail few riders ever find their seat on a bare back.

But what about comfort for the horse? How can a hard leather saddle be comfortable?

This theory is somewhat similar to not wearing shoes on your feet, for the shoe is made out of hard leather.

Just like shoes, a good fitting saddle does more good than harm. Not only does it allow the rider to ride in better balance, but it distributes the rider’s weight more evenly.

A better approach for developing as a rider is to be lunged, with a saddle. This allows the rider to focus on his/her position, without needing to worry about controlling the horse. To further develop the balance, the stirrups are taken away to help focus attention to the seat. It is important that the person lungeing the rider has had proper training so the appropriate safety precautions are taken for both horse and rider.

Lungeing is a good way for riders to find their balance and seat without causing discomfort to themselves or to the horse.

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