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F.R.A. Lunging Lines & Bareback Saddles | Emmers Equestrian
Ride closer, feel more. The F.R.A. Dardo is a bareback pad: it girths on like a saddle, but with no tree and no stirrups, there is almost nothing between you and your horse. Every step comes straight through to your seat, which makes it a great way to build seat awareness and balance and to enjoy groundwork and relaxed rides with a closer connection. It's not a saddle, and that is exactly the point.
Make your lunging count with the F.R.A. Peli. This soft, cotton-padded strap runs across the chest and between the front legs and invites your horse to relax and lower through the back, so lunging becomes a training session for topline and relaxation instead of just going round in circles. Use it together with your regular lunge line and cavesson for a simple upgrade to your routine.
Tips for Choosing
- Want to feel every movement? Choose the Dardo for seat and balance work and for groundwork. It suits confident riders best, because without stirrups you ride on balance alone.
- It's easy to start with. The Dardo attaches with standard girth straps like a normal saddle, so check that your existing girth fits, and you're ready to ride.
- Choose the right Peli size from pony, cob, and horse, and measure your horse rather than guessing. A good fit helps it work at its best.
- Add the Peli to your lunging session, alongside your usual line and cavesson, to bring more purpose to every circle.
- Buy with confidence. Universal-fit pads can sit slightly differently on each horse, so if your horse has an unusual back shape, check the return options before you commit.
Frequently asked questions
Is a bareback pad the same as a saddle?
No, it has no tree and no stirrups, so it's much closer contact but without a saddle's support and security.
What's the Peli lunging aid actually for?
It encourages the horse to relax and stretch through the back during lunging, working alongside your normal line rather than replacing it.
Can beginners ride with a bareback pad?
It's better suited to riders with a reasonably established seat, since there's no stirrup support if balance is lost.
Does the Dardo pad fit any horse?
It's a universal fit that suits most horses, though it's worth checking your horse's back shape and existing girth length first.
Do I still need a normal lunge line with the Peli?
Yes, the Peli is a training aid you use in addition to your line and cavesson, not a substitute for either.
What sizes does the Peli come in?
Pony, cob, and horse sizes, so it's worth measuring rather than assuming which one fits.
You'll find the F.R.A. Peli lunging aid and Dardo bareback pad, along with the rest of Emmers Equestrian's lunging and groundwork range, right here.