Well, saddles are made to spread out your weight on the back of the horse, and just sitting up there bareback doesn't....
On the other hand if you have an extremely muddy horse and limited time you can just get the worst off an really just groom where your butt goes. It teaches balance and makes you use the correct leg muscle, although it doesn't allow you to use your abs properly...
I also believe that some horses enjoy not having the saddle and girt on and still get to go work every once in a while.

I agree with charlie. It is diferent sit on horse back without saddle and sometimes is bareback better.

I don't think horses like saddles that much and they hate a girth. As my horses get older I just ride them bareback. When I have to "work" I need a saddle.

Great question, as I have read so many pros and cons on the subject. All making a lot of sense.

i personally love bareback, and i've never ridden a horse that acted differently when the saddle was removed.. but i do think that people who are new to bareback, should train themselves first (lots of no stirrup work / working with a bareback pad) that way if/when they do truly ride bareback, they are balanced and it will be as comfortable for the horse as it can be.

I think the best thing a novice rider can learn is bareback, because it teaches balance unlike the saddle.
I like to just hop on my horse and go for a ride bareback and not have to bother with a saddle. I don't think it effects the horse if you are properly balanced.

I like bareback. It gives maximum contact with my horse so I can actually feel her stride more than I can in a saddle. If a horse was trained properly and has manners, there shouldn't be any difference in the way a horse rides, with or without a saddle. As Charlie said though, saddles are built to spread out our weight.

i love riding bareback and my horse doesnt care

Wow great question, and I have a mixed answer. I love to ride bareback, especially in the cold the warmth of the horse just is cozy. I have 6 horses and they all are alittle differant bareback. My big grey saddlebred mare acutally doesn't like it very well I think it is because she doesn't think the rider is very secure so she doesn't want to move out very much. I also have white a Arab that has very high withers and our equine chiropractor told us not to ride him bare back it will mess up his back, so we don't ride him that way any more. The rest of my horses seem to love it, it is like play time instead of work time for them and me.

I don't like to ride bareback because the vets I've talked to and the research I've done both say it's really not great for their backs. Saddle aren't just meant for our comfort and safety, they are meant for the horses long term safety as well. I love how close I feel to my horse when I ride bareback, but I rarely do it because I don't believe it's good for them

I love bareback. Haven't noticed a huge difference in the way they act. I think they act a bit better bareback because I am sitting better.

I think that it helps with your balance plus my personal take is that its good for rider and horse, as in its a good way to bond and get to understand your horses movements better.

I think it is great! When I was a child the only way I was aloud to ride without supervision was bareback. I rode bareback all the time. When I started taking riding lessons I already had great balance. So it diffidently helps balance. The other thing is, I really think it can help the horse and rider become one. It creates trust and self esteem between horse and rider. There is nothing like taking a ride in the woods or out on a big farm with just you, your horse and the bridle.