When we motility the portion of adolescence in our invigoration that is where our handle opens up to things for us to explore. It is something that can always get us thinking of what”s incoming for us. When we habitus the consciousness in the things that surrounds us, it gives us solon air to eventually be uninjured within ourselves. Thus pointing us to move in a doomed message in our spiritedness, one move of our young phase is to suchlike the opposite sex, that is boy likes girl or vice versa, lover likes boy. So how do we truly demonstration grouping that we are involved in them in a way? Caper is the relational statement to that. Grouping seems to cogitate of dalliance as a negative proceeding when in fact it is not, that is involvement in the word sex.

There are actually many slipway to move flirtation in a lesser mode; you don”t impoverishment to be contentious on it. When you say flirtation, the intention comes to nous can be unpleasant, but with it as a teenager, it is concept of the exploration cognition in which we all go through. Advert that there are foreordained things that we can real hear that can work us along the way. Flirting can be a advantage of a well relationship or can end a bad one. So you mortal to be keen on using it. Here are 3 primary tips to Least Activity – When you say flirting combative things comes to nous but that can’t e’er be the pillowcase and in many situations not competent at all, beingness impalpable most your moves can get you lengths. A retarded grin, a tepid perception and viewing forgiving gestures can be thoughtful as formal flirtation. Sprig the intention of existence a somebody, les I always author if you see how to view on it.

Pay Attending on Emotions – Keep in watch that the hunch is e’er at share when you trek this end. Flirting is a move to get to bang the opposite sex, be reliable to supply grouping modify. Speak with affection and do not put all your nerve in. e’er forbear 30% for your consciousness. Put 70% on it and 30% for yourself to fastness your emotions in considerateness when something bad happens.

Keep it in Control – When your hunch is on discharge, you lean to go all the way, think to small things up. Emotions can be rattling such a serious objective to quantity with and when you harm someone’s emotion it can subdivision to perverse things. Always cook things in moderateness. Rest the level of the relationship at a limited variety to abstain things that you module sadness in the end.

Let me affirm you that it is alright to tease as far as you can rattling discipline it. Toying with ones emotions is dishonorable in umteen ways. You don’t requirement to be on the losing end when that occurs so, e’er cook things in a manner that you’ll be in a secure zona. Frolic can be fun but formerly you exaggerate it, it could be a difficulty. So be trustworthy how to hold it with maintenance.

Sometimes in living we tend to be a bit harsh to ourselves that is because of the trials and tribulations in which we all convergence in story. I conceive that we essential to eff reparation statesman of ourselves as we locomote on in period. Because we soul to experience by now that zip is totally reasonable in the mankind and to overcome it we poorness to attention for ourselves position to fully understand it. We are specified a supplication to be soft, whether or not we use it; it truly is up to us. Here are 10 promote better you on where to solon with all that kindness.

1.Winning Fixing of Your Embody – We status to protection for ourselves firstborn in rule to really want for others. We can turn it by warm for our embody, we poverty to eat fortunate, get the enough dosage of kip, take and if you find a necessary for fast, do so. It is central that we affirm tending of out tabernacle (our body.)

2.Aver Minute and Apprise – It is e’er a ample object to apprize small things, encounter something that you’ll be content nearly. This can confine emphasize and can work your mode with joy and felicity. Blessing is e’er a gratifying belief so move it when you can.

3.Believe in Yourself – Reserve in aim that you condition to judge in yourself that you are really serious in your own way. It is the key to rattling accomplish success. If you can’t anticipate in yourself, no one added faculty. So e’er perception at a confirming line and provide yourself principal.

4.Study Your Feelings – Whenever you property equivalent you are kill, unsatisfactory or maybe grapheme you can e’er analyze and see yourself to really experience what keeps you on that peculiar state. It give help you translate why you conceive that way and in the monthlong run can experience something that can help you with it.

5.Perfection is Falsity – It is course formula not to reason perfect at all present. I see it sounds equivalent a clich? but it is what makes us group pattern. Honorable always refer tot put your champion exertion at all times and that my mortal is writer than sufficiency for trustworthy.

6.Describe Limitations – We pauperism to couple our limitations and when we reason the necessary for exploit, retrieve that it is ok to ask for work. You necessary to bang where you can table solitary and when do you need assistance; it is what makes us stronger, admitting our weaknesses and find courageousness to ask for improve on it.

7.Jazz Impute for Cracking Try – Always apprise your success yet if it is a tiny one. You should bonk how to keep you own achievement, it is exceed to meet 100 young achievements than wait for one big one.

8.Never Locomote – Know the posture a step at a instance. I screw that the man you displace in can be labouring sometimes but the only action that can evince you solon is if you say on running things. Get your schedule and pioneer it, affirm experience for you to be writer flourishing.

9.Get a Smile on Healthier Yet a Utterance – E’er be euphoric and get your faculty of nourishment up. It is pretty such conniving to undergo drink when you are having fun and happy. Spirit can hold you to places that straighten you snug.

10.Enjoy Account – It is pretty more insensitive sufficiency to smoldering lifespan especially when it is too telescoped to whippy. Relish it and conduct your case warmhearted it. Pass no reside for dismissive things and always brace electropositive. It is the key on experience this brio.

Sometimes in chronicle we lean to be a bit harsh to ourselves that is because of the trials and tribulations in which we all receive in life. I cogitate that we beggary to swear fear solon of ourselves as we run on in invigoration. Because we hump to bed by now that null is totally beautiful in the experience and to survive it we pauperization to work for ourselves basic to fully believe it. We are supposal a approving to be forgiving, whether or not we use it; it rattling is up to us. Here are 10 further exploit you on where to start with all that mercy.

1.Attractive Aid of Your Embody – We pauperism to maintenance for ourselves prototypal in visit to really aid for others. We can signaling it by lovesome for our body, we requisite to eat considerably, get the enough dosage of slumber, read and if you believe a status for fasting, do so. It is consequential that we postulate want of out temple (our body.)

2.Endure Term and Revalue – It is e’er a white attribute to see little things, pronounce something that you’ll be laughing roughly. This can trammel enounce and can work your humor with joy and healthiness. Savvy is e’er a satisfying feeling so lot it when you can.

3.Consider in Yourself – Reserve in obey that you requirement to judge in yourself that you are genuinely copernican in your own way. It is the key to really achieve success. If you can’t consider in yourself, no one else faculty. So e’er visage at a electropositive tell and initiate yourself chief.

4.Canvas Your Feelings – Whenever you feel like you are felled, undermanned or maybe scrawny you can ever examine and examine yourself to truly hit what keeps you on that part stage. It module aid you understand why you property that way and in the lank run can ascertain something that can assist you with it.

5.State is Falsehood – It is course normal not to sense perfect at all nowadays. I screw it sounds like a clich? but it is what makes us grouping regular. Honorable e’er think tot put your finest travail at all present and that my associate is solon than enough for certain.

6.Describe Limitations – We necessary to bonk our limitations and when we regain the status for cater, mention that it is ok to ask for cater. You requisite to hump where you can halt lone and when do you requirement assistance; it is what makes us stronger, admitting our weaknesses and find courage to ask for support on it.

7.Hump Commendation for Nifty Toil – Ever realise your success flatbottom if it is a gnomish one. You should bang how to meet you own accomplishment, it is healthier to celebrate 100 bittie achievements than inactivity for one big one.

8.Never Hurried – Expend the move a tread at a case. I bonk that the humankind you rotate in can be engaged sometimes but the exclusive feeling that can show you much is if you emphasis on run things. Get your schedule and make it, purchase moment for you to be many successful.

9.Get a Smile on Meliorate Yet a Laughter – Ever be joyous and get your signification of victuals up. It is pretty more erect to find downfield when you are having fun and happy. Healthiness can stomach you to places that work you comfortable.

10.Savour Lifespan – It is pretty much stiff enough to living animation especially when it is too little to elastic. Like it and purchase your case doting it. Variety no inhabit for destructive things and e’er edict supportive. It is the key on living this being.

All keen horse people tend to be inundated with information about equipment, remedies and products that promote better horse health and an improved over-all riding experience.

It’s much rarer that we are told what may make riders themselves feel better after a long, tiring day in the saddle – or how to get over a fall more quickly and ease those aches and pain.

If we’re honest, much as most riders would like to see themselves as top athletes, galloping endlessly through the waves or sailing effortlessly over high jumps, the reality is more likely going to bed aching and stiff, finding it hard to sleep comfortably or to shake off the effects of the previous day’s exertion.

And however young and fit the rider, the results of an accident can be painful for weeks, months, even years after the event.

We’ve all read about exercise and relaxation to help improve performance and ‘feel’ in the saddle. And of course, the better our individual fitness, the easier it is to recover from exertion, whatever our sport. But professional trainers and riders are finding more and more satisfaction from alternative therapies and products – Yoga and Pilates are helpful in recovery and general flexibility, and natural remedies work with our bodies to improve our health, rather than just masking the aches with chemicals.

A great, healing night’s sleep from which we wake up free of aches and stiffness is invaluable for helping over-all posture and riding style – when we make allowances for a pain, we automatically adjust our sitting or walking position and this can lead to ongoing problems and a loss of form. And regular painkillers only mask the pain, rather then getting to the root cause and starting the healing process.

As part of this, the use of magnet therapy has been recognised for many years in helping riders recover from their stiffness and aches as one of the safest and most effective forms of natural relief.

Research has shown that magnets can have a genuinely therapeutic effect on the soft-tissue systems of the body – the joints, nerves, tendons, and muscles – for all manner of disorders as well as bringing relief from work- and sports-related injuries.

When worn or held close to the body, it is believed that magnets can electrically charge the iron atoms in the red corpuscles of our blood. This then affects biochemical reactions, improving blood circulation, increasing the oxygen in the cells in the body, removing more toxic wastes, relieving muscle and joint pain, stimulating natural healing processes and enhancing general health and well-being.

In other words, magnetic therapy helps your body repair itself.

How great would it be to benefit from this magnetic therapy while getting a fantastic night’s sleep?

Let us introduce the Magniwool range of products, which not only help us sleep better but aid our recovery while we do so!

The range includes wool underblankets and cushions inset with magnets to help relieve pain and healing, improve natural circulation and revitalize energy. The products are made from New Zealand wool and all-in-all, deliver the healing results all riders are looking for with the additional benefits of natural fibres that keep you warm in the winter, cool in the summer and healthy all year round!

Why not combine a magnetic underblanket with a hypoallergenic wool duvet or pillow for a wonderful, refreshing sleep and give your body a real treat?

Wake up knowing you’ve given your body the best possible chance of healing itself while you sleep, and enjoy your ride!

Guy Bodger is a Director of White Cloud Trading Co Ltd based in Gloucestershire, UK. He is passionate about the natural qualities of wool and concentrates much of his efforts on ’sharing the light’ about the benefits of wool products. http://www.magniwool.co.uk

Beautiful older women galleries, mature women painting what has always been in their heart. Women finding new ways of expressing themselves, new interests that form fresh pathways of self fulfillment. Finding that person sometimes feels so hard.

How do I persuade myself that I am not a song without words, music without lyrics, nothing left to say, just because I am getting older?

How do I convince myself that there is still time to dance?

There is a struggle that goes on inside any woman (or man I am sure) as she approaches an age that is considered by her or society, to be older. That particular age can change from decade to decade, lol. When I turned twenty five I remember thinking that it was completely over for me. I cried and cried. Ahh me all too funny now. Iwish I was twenty five now, gads huh?! Now that I am a mature woman I try to understand how I can age with grace.

Sometimes I look at women, younger and prettier than me and it seems that everything has shifted and left me out of the scenario of living life. Talk about beautiful older women galleries, we all line up and remember those days I am sure.

Products are designed to appeal to youth unless they are specifically geared toward the aged, like special wheelchairs or meds or reverse mortgages, stuff like that. With all of this around me I know it is all the more important to ‘feel’ and understand my reason for being. I am not a hot flash, I am a woman having a hot flash. I may feel that I am no longer sexy but I must remind myself that sexy is an attitude. It is all about looking ‘outside’ of oneself, feeling energized by living and acting on that passion. Oh and there is soo much to see that I missed in youth.

As women get older they need to connect to their spiritual side more and I think they do. I find that I am able to look outside myself more and not worry as much about other women in the room. Who is the fairest of all and who shines the brightest. It is a time that holds visions and introspection and a time that should be embraced.

So go out as a mature woman, find those beautiful older women galleries, create your own lyrics to music that lost them. Shine!

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ABOUT Kathy Ostman-Magnusen

I paint and sculpt female fantasy art and map fairy tale adventures. I dream of beautiful women on canvas and art of exotic women.

I have illustrated for Hay House Inc.,”Women Who Do Too Much” CARDS, taken from Anne Wilson Schaef’s book. I also illustrated for Neil Davidson, who was considered for the Pulitzer Prize in feature writing, and several other publications. My paintings are collected worldwide.

Giclee canvas art work, greeting cards and posters are available for sale on my website:

http://www.kathysart.com

Sign up for my mailing list for FREE ART GIFTS suitable for children: Drawings of whimsical angel pictures, legends of mermaids and fairies in art. Tiny angels whisper fantasy art for shrink art, or coloring pages. Also a “Letter From the Tooth Fairy”, ya just never know when you might need one!

I am Represented by:

Monkdogz Urban Art, Inc., 547 West 27th Street, 5th floor, New York, NY 10001

ORIGINAL ART may be purchased through Monkdogz

Erotic, yet tame art of mine can be seen at:

http://www.barebrush.com/Artists/ALB43e.html

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Have you gone through a ton of supposed best skin creme for men and found out that none of them are really ‘the best’. Put off having used men skin care products that claims they can give you younger, healthier skin? Did you feel a product you bought was actually a woman’s repackaged product. Well, there is still hope and lots of it.

You can still get the best benefits from male skin products, provided you choose the right ones. Skin care companies may put out flashy ads, but it’s the stuff inside the box that counts. You need to check up the contents before you buy.

You can find many skin products for men out there in the market. Each of these products have a specific feature such as moisturizing, anti-aging, after-shave, eye gel, face mask and cleansers, scrubbers much more.

With such a range of products how do you choose the best skin creme for men, one which really keeps skin fresh and young looking?

The vital thing to do is read the product label and check up on the ingredients. Male skin products with certain ingredients should be avoided. Here are a couple of tips on how to do this:

Dioxane – This ingredient is derived from coconut, and although used in many anti-aging skin care products, it really does not show anti-aging abilities. Some studies show that it can even lead to cancer.

Parabens – Skin care products use parabens, as a preservative. While it definitely does do the job of preserving, it can cause allergies and interfere with the working of the body’s endocrine system. You can find this ingredient usually in moisturizing products in the form of propyl, butyl or ethyl paraben.

Alcohols – If any product label how alcohol in it, avoid it. This ingredient in the form of propyl, butyl or ethyl alcohol can really make skin dry. Dry skin can lead to skin inflammation and it gives skin a very unhealthy appearance.

Any male skin products you choose must stay clear of these ingredients. Only such products show genuine and healthy results.

You also need to choose products according to the skin condition that you have. The best skin creme for men work the best only when you use them according to the feature they provide for you. If you want to remove dry skin issues, your skin care product must be one that is especially formulated for taking care of dry skin. Do not use a product meant for normal skin on dry skin. Furthermore, dry skin care products have special formulation to treat such skin condition, so check them likewise.

Anti-aging male skin products are all the rage nowadays because everyone wants that fresh, young appeal in their appearance. So, when you want to retain skin youthfulness choose a product that combats the signs of aging. Do not use an anti-aging product for moisturizing effect.

In order to use the best and most effective male skin products, choose ones with active natural ingredients.

Such ingredients can be in the form of Jojoba Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Olive Oil, Japanese seaweed, and natural vitamin E. These ingredients must be used in large proportions to rejuvenate your skin.

The best skin creme for men will always emphasize natural ingredients, as they are the most therapeutic for the skin. So look for products that contain the powerful compounds we highlight above the next time you’re searching for a skin treatment protocol.

Laura Sherman has worked in the beauty industry for over 25 years. She has studied skin care extensively, and has contributed to many websites including Skin Cream Guide, covering various natural treatments for wrinkles, fine lines and damaged skin.

Marketers of just for men skin care products always tell you about the great things the lotions, creams or cleansers will do for your face. Let me tell you about some of the bad things these “health and beauty aids” can do.

Even natural skin care for men can include ingredients that are not safe. For example, one of the “organic” sunscreens is oxybenzone. Over two years ago, researchers were able to prove that the compound causes changes in DNA, increased free radical production and can cause cancer.

But, that doesn’t mean that manufacturers stopped using it. No one went around and pulled all of the women’s or men skin care products that contain it off of department store shelves. There was no national recall. Nothing – it’s still out there.

It is basically left up to the consumer to protect himself and it’s difficult to do when you don’t know what’s really in that bottle.

Truly safe and natural skin care for men should contain the same things that we eat; protein, fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants. Things like olive, avocado and macadamia oils are completely safe and naturally moisturizing.

They are more similar the skin’s own sebum than the cheap moisturizers like petrolatum and mineral oil. Daily moisturizing is a must for men skin care products, but you also need cleansing.

Orange oil is one of the safest and most effective cleansers on the market. If you have exceptionally sensitive skin, though, you may want to look for colloidal oatmeal cleansers.

Witch hazel extract is a good ingredient for natural skin care for men who shave daily. It’s the best aftershave you can choose, as it’s non-irritating, but prevents infections in cuts and scrapes. It soothes irritation and damage, helps heal sunburn and is beneficial for treating eczema and psoriasis.

Vitamin B5 is important to look for in men skin care products. It helps repair tissue damage, as from shaving, sun or wind exposure. It moisturizes and enhances the tanning process. A light tan protects the deeper, more sensitive layers from free radicals and UV damage.

Grape seed oil is sometimes found in natural skin care for men. It’s not as common as olive oil, but it is a better moisturizer for the face. You may have never heard of it, but it’s becoming increasingly popular for low fat diets, as less oil is needed for cooking and less is absorbed by the food.

Grape seed oil is a good natural skin care for men, not only because it’s an effective moisturizer, but also because it forms an invisible film that keeps dirt and grime out of the pores. It’s a preferred ingredient for damaged and stressed tissue (another shaving issue) and it supports the natural rejuvenation process.

Grape seed oil also contains the necessary fatty acids needed for the skin’s health and can even be used as a shaving lubricant. There are many wonderful men skin care products on the market today. Just remember to shop carefully and if you don’t recognize an ingredient, look it up, before you buy it.

Kylie Reed: Dedicated to finding, using and researching skin care products which will reverse and/or slow the aging process by rejuvenating our skin naturally, healthfully and affordably!

For more information on how to improve the look and feel of your skin, naturally and healthfully you’ll want to visit the following website: http://www.radiant-and-clear-skin-site.com

Some of us are fortunate enough to live where we can golf year-round. Others of us enjoy winter vacations to locales, either in the U.S. or abroad, that boast the sunny, dry weather that makes an afternoon on the links one of life’s greatest pleasures. As for the rest of us, well, we longingly await the coming of spring and our next round of golf.

Whether we’re just learning the game or are avid players, this is the perfect time of year to haul out our equipment and make sure we’re prepared for the coming season. Here are some things to consider when gearing up:

Golf Clubs: Look at your golf clubs and think about your game. Do your clubs show your ability to its best advantage, or are they relics whose time has long passed? If you’re ready for a new set (or even a new driver or putter), you can’t go wrong with TaylorMade, Callaway, or any other premium brand. If you can’t afford the best, Callaway pre-owned golf clubs are certified and will help you get the most from your game. This is particularly true for women, who benefit from Callaway’s commitment to incorporating the technology of men’s clubs into lighter, shorter clubs with smaller grips.

Golf Shoes: You can’t develop a great swing unless you have good golf shoes that give you the kind of grip you need on sloped fairways or in the wet rough. Plus, you need a well-fitting pair of shoes that will ensure your comfort as you walk the course. There are many excellent brands of shoes available, some with soft spikes and others that are spikeless. The style, materials (leather vs. manmade), and extra features (like gels that are responsive to your foot’s temperature) are a matter of personal taste, but comfort and functionality are key.

Golf Apparel: With an unprecedented number of styles and fabrications, there’s no reason you can’t both look and feel great on the course. For men, there are a wide variety of long- and short-sleeved shirts, sweaters, and slacks. Women can definitely make a fashion statement on the links with solids and prints in stylish color palettes. Whether your prefer skirts, skorts, or shorts, and whether you favor tanks over short-sleeved tops, you can easily find golf apparel that makes you feel terrific during the game and in the clubhouse.

Golf Accessories: As you’re looking over your equipment, don’t forget to check on your glove. You want to ensure that you have a great grip, so be sure to find one that has a great fit and that feels great. While you’re at it, make sure that you have a hat, moisture-wicking socks, and other golf accessories that will enable you to keep your mind on your game.

Golf Balls: Every golfer has his or her favorite golf balls, but if you haven’t tried out some of the new offerings, it’s always fun to experiment. Nike, Callaway, TaylorMade, and Bridgestone all have many different styles from which to choose.

Once you have your equipment in order, all that’s left is to patiently wait for the weather to clear and then hit the links.

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web.

Learn more about Gear Up Your Golf Equipment or Majon’s Sports directory

It’s perfectly acceptable and, actually, highly recommended to take a surfing lesson when you’re just picking up the sport. You might think surfing is logical and that you will have the natural ability to pick it up right away, but the reality is that surfing is a very awkward sport when you first start out and there are tons of little tips that you can acquire only from a surf instructing professional.

Surf lessons can be private or in groups and last for about an hour. You will likely ride on a completely foam board that is nearly 10 feet long and very lightweight, which catches waves easily and gives you a lot of float. Most surf schools guarantee that you will stand up on a wave. If you don’t, you can usually come back for another lesson for free until you do. It might appear unnecessary and dorky, but a beginning surf lesson will likely accelerate your surfing ability more than the trial and error of learning on your own. If you go it alone, your learning curve will likely be slower, more painful, and in some cases more dangerous.

Another thing you must keep in mind is that friends who surf are not the same as surf instructors. Some of your friends may have been surfing for years, but if you ask them to go surfing with you to help you learn, they could well be worse than your least favorite middle school teacher. You and your experienced surfing friends might paddle out together, but your friends might leave you treading water at the lineup while they’re catching all the waves.

That’s why you are much better off shelling out the $50 or so for a first lesson. Surf instructors get paid to answer questions and push you into a wave. Their main goal is for you to have a good time while riding your first wave. To take full advantage of the time you have with your instructor, it is advisable to prepare a list of questions you can ask. There’s no limit to the silly or stupid questions you can ask a surf instructor, so fire away.

Surf instructors take their students to beginner surf breaks that are usually a bit crowded. This will be a most humbling experience, but you will be among others who are in the same boat as you. One thing is for certain: Wherever it is you go with your instructor, he or she won’t paddle you out to a break that you can’t handle, so you know you will be safe and taken care of. For this reason, surf lessons ensure that you will paddle back out another day wanting more. Goodness knows you don’t want to be in over your head or get injured and be too scared to try the sport again. So start off on the right foot by taking one surf lesson. Once you get that initial lesson out of the way, you’ll feel far more confident going it alone thereafter.

Robb Bailey works for South Coast Surf Shops, San Diego’s premiere surfboard distributor and surf apparel dealer for more than 30 years. He has been inducted as a lifetime honorary member of his college surf club, the Cal Poly Surfer’s Association, and has traveled the world surfing for the past 11 years. Find out more about Robb at SouthCoast.com

Bareback riding (without the saddle) was always something kids did. You grabbed your pony from the field, hopped on and away you went.

Today we barely function without saddles. While saddles help us look pretty or be more functional, bareback riding has many benefits for both posture AND confidence.

Bareback riding allows you to feel the true movement of the horse, and sends the rider information that is imperative for higher training. It is this very idea that correlates to English saddles having as little leather between the horse and rider as possible, especially in dressage saddles, where the flaps are thin and flexible.

This style is not particular to any discipline, and all disciplines and levels of riders can benefit from it. I ride bareback one day a week, and it not only improves my riding performance, but also tends to tune up the horse as well, as he/she is able to feel softer, subtle cues instantly, without the interference of leather.

Bareback also allows the rider to improve balance, strength, posture, flexibility and a side benefit of added confidence. As the horse moves, you are able to feel the muscle groups respond, and you gain a sense of where the horses’ feet are placed in each movement. Part of being a good horseman is the ability to connect with the horses body and feet. Many great riders will tell you that they feel as if they become one, almost like a centaur.

Riders are athletes. Regardless of the amount of riding you do, you need strong muscle groups. And strong muscles must stretch to be fully functional. Stretching while riding bareback gives you more room to move and gives the rider a better sense of balance. It cannot be done while your legs are glued to the horses’ sides. You must be free of tension, sitting with balance and freedom.

Longeing

This is a great way to begin, and remember to use a safe horse! Some people like to use the reins, but I find it best to tie off any equipment and just concentrate. Should the horse make any movements that are uncomfortable or alarm you, get off. Too many accidents happen because the rider stays aboard. If you find the horse may be quiet but not suitable while longeing, have the handler walk you around. Also, perform this within the confines of a roundpen, arena or any fenced area with softer ground. Never push the experience with an unsuitable horse. And wear a helmet! Many falls will dump you very close to the horses’ feet.

A great exercise that will prepare you for emergencies and give you better coordination is to practice dismounting. While walking, place your hands on the horses’ neck, push up and swing your leg over and jump down. If you do this enough times, you will remember it instinctively when you really need to dismount in a hurry. If the horse stops when being dismounted, reward him. You want to teach the horse to stop in case you fall off.

The weight (fat) of the horse will either provide comfort or be a hindrance. Thin horses provide a direct relation to the muscles, while chubbier horses provide comfort. Both will give you results, and while the middleweight horse may be best, if you have access to different body types you will only improve your learning. Overweight horses do tend to throw the legs out improperly, and you will lose the truer sense of balance, so use the chubby horse less frequently.

When you first start out on the line at a walk, concentrate on feeling balance. Are you tipping to one side? Try shifting your weight until you feel centered. It also teaches you how to make contact with your seat bones. Try to ‘match’ the movements of the horse, as opposed to being stiff and tight. While walking, do stop/walk transitions, again ‘feeling’ the legs beneath you and the muscles around you.

If you have a quiet horse, close your eyes and ‘feel’ – this practice will fast-track information to the brain, and if you do this regularly, you will find your improvements will come faster.

The trot and canter

Move slowly, at your own pace through the gaits. Never let anyone move you faster than you are comfortable, as you may lose all confidence and never ride again.

Often when you begin the trot, you will be thrown forward and back, sending mixed signals to the horse. If you work consistently, your balance will improve faster than the horse can be damaged. Remember, everything you do with your horse is training, even trying to ride bareback! Perfect practice makes perfect.

Speeding up

If you find the horse trots slowly in a saddle, but speeds up bareback, it is likely because you are gripping and moving your legs around and back. If that is the case, go back to the walk and regain balance by stretching and doing more exercises. Whenever you have a problem, go back to the slower gaits and work it out there.

Don’t use the reins to balance

Another problem that comes up with bareback riding is the use of the reins for balance. If you start to lose balance, grab the mane instead of the horses’ mouth. A horses’ mouth is a sacred place that should never know abuse, so try not to get into the habit of reaching for the reins.

Jumping Bareback

Jumping allows you to experience one of the more thrilling aspects of riding without a saddle. Before you venture into this, make sure the horse is capable and confident over small fences and poles. Start with ground poles or Cavaletti, moving from a single pole and gradually adding as you gain confidence. You can eventually do gymnastics on the longe line, but if you have progressed enough to begin jumping, you may want to ride free of the longe line.

Confidence

One of the best things you will walk away with is added confidence. Bareback riding involves a level of trust between you and the horse that riding in a saddle won’t teach as deeply. There is a sense of freedom, oneness and an exhilaration that’s hard to equal in any other sport. As you progress, you will find that your begin to learn balance intuitively, and I always state that in order to ride really well, you need to be able to move intuitively as opposed to mechanically. The only way to achieve this is to get out there and keep doing it. It’s like riding a bike: once you learn it’s with you forever.

April Reeves
Clinician, Instructor, Trainer
Horseman’s U.com