In addition to using the stretchies for the first time, we also decided it was time to have a little fun with our versatile Saddlebred. While we do want him to step up to be a “show horse” when it’s time to show, we also want him to enjoy us, and us him. We want him to do things that aren’t considered “work” so he doesn’t get too burned out.  After all, we aren’t asking him to be a super fancy, super exceptional, 100% show horse and world champion, we are asking him to be a county fair country pleasure fun mount!  That entails doing other things, aside from his typical saddleseat training. So, we took off his saddle and tried him bareback for the first time since we have owned him.  He was a perfect gentleman and he didn’t mind at all.  Maybe we will do this more often! Of course, both Cindy and I had to try him out without a saddle! Again, excuse the terrible quality pictures, but you get the idea!