bareback

American  

[bair-bak] / ˈbɛərˌbæk /

Or barebacked

adverb

1. with the back of a horse, burro, etc., bare; bear; without a saddle.

   to ride bareback; a bareback rider.

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bareback British  

/ ˈbɛəˌbæk /

adjective

1. (of horse-riding) without a saddle

2. slang (of sex) without a condom

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verb

1. (intr) to practise unprotected sex

Etymology

Origin of bareback

First recorded in 1555–65; bare ¹ + back ¹

Example Sentences

“Bella and Gigi riding their horses bareback around the farm and training in the jumping arena in such close proximity from New York and their very busy careers,” she shared.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 21, 2026

I recall young women riding their horses, bareback, to pick up snacks at Market Basket.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 12, 2025

"She would be jumping off waterfalls, jumping off planes, riding horses bareback, swinging on chandeliers, jumping 30ft from the roof of a castle - all stunts she did herself," Roy Wadia says.

From BBC • Feb. 17, 2024

Competitions include bareback bronco riding, saddle bronco, steer roping, ribbon roping and wild cow milking.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 9, 2023

Said he would lead the charge bareback on old Jack, his mouse-colored horse-mule.

From "Cold Sassy Tree" by Olive Ann Burns