There is certainly no reason why you can’t enjoy both styles of riding . If you’re putting a Western saddle on your English horse for the first time, however, there are a few things to keep in mind: The Western saddle generally has more weight, leather and additional attachments your horse might not be used to.
Can you do English and Western riding?
English consists of jumping, dressage, equitation, and hunter, while western can include barrel racing, pole bending, roping, trail riding, and reining . Both can be ridden on a competitive level with trophies, ribbons, and prize money.
Can you ride Western in an English saddle?
You can ride anyway you want in any kind of tack, English, western, bareback. If you want to try out an English saddle and ride loosey, goosey, do it.
Are English and Western saddles the same?
The most obvious difference is the tack the horse wears. As explained in my Saddle Facts article, the western saddle is larger and heavier than the english saddle . ... The english saddle is smaller and lighter and designed to give the rider a closer contact with the horse’s back.
Can you use an English bridle for Western riding?
English Bridles are used in English Riding and Western Bridles in Western Riding discipline. Western bridles do not normally have nosebands, and oftentimes have no brow bands. They are commonly used with a Pelham bit, a curb bit that combines a snaffle, often with side orbit limbs.
Is western riding easier than English?
I’d have to say western is easier than english . For one thing, the larger saddle provides a more secure seat for the novice rider. ... English riding, even for the beginner, involves the coordination of multiple factors, such as legs, reins and balance to maintain control of the horse.
Is Western easier than English?
English riding involves a bit more balance and coordination of the reins and legs, so riders may not feel immediately secure in the saddle. The larger Western saddle makes it easier for the beginner to sit comfortably and feel more secure.
Are English or Western saddles better?
An English saddle is much smaller in size and lighter in weight, which allows the rider to get close to their horse and feel its every movement. A Western saddle is larger and heavier , which provides more comfort and stability for long hours over rough terrain.
Is English or Western riding more expensive?
Western riding is usually more affordable than English riding . The English saddle, as well as the English riding games, such as show jumping, can be much more expensive than their Western version.
Is Western or English saddle more expensive?
Western riding is usually more affordable than English riding. The English saddle, as well as the English riding games, such as show jumping, can be much more expensive than their Western version .
Do Western riders Post?
Once thought of as an activity only for sissies or English riders, posting is now de rigueur for riders of all disciplines , at least for schooling. Of course, you rarely see Western riders post in the show world. There, the rider sits through all gaits. That works well because those horses walk, jog, and lope.
Is Western or English riding more popular?
There are many types of riding styles, but in North America and many other places, western and English are most common .
Are Western saddles better for the horse?
Western saddles are typically larger than English saddles , and this can be a good thing in terms of distributing the weight evenly over your horse’s back for long rides.
Can you jump in Western riding?
Even western riders face the occasional jump , whether in trail classes or riding out on trails. While you might not want to make a career of riding horses over jumps, it is valuable to know how to go over a jump in a way that’s safe and comfortable for you and comfortable for your horse.
How long does it take to learn Western riding?
Where to start? It has been my experience that for people taking 1 riding lesson a week, it generally takes approximately 2 years to develop enough competence that you can safely to all the basics of horse care and riding on your own (e.g. catch, tie, lead, tack up, ride, go down the trail).
Why do English riders bounce?
Bouncing is caused when you get out of phase with the up and down motion the horse does when they trot . So the key is to get in tune with the horses motion and learn to move as fast as his back does with the strides of the trot. ... In general this requires an up and down motion in tune with the strides.
