can you jump XC in a western saddle?

[greeneyes13]

:) can you jump XC in a western saddle?

[Afellpony]

I dont think it would be very practical given the high pommell etc.

[chickflick1066]

Nothing to stop you trying small x/country fences :) Least you'd have something to hold onto in a mild panic (a la chickflick!) :p

[Nik-n-Kia]

It would be rather painful if you got shot up the horses neck tho!!! :eek:

I wouldn't do it but I once saw John Wayne jump a wall on a horse with a western saddle on and the wall wasn't little!!! This was in a film by the way!!

You can only try it!!!

Nikki xxxx

[jUmPingIsLifE]

western saddles wern't designed to be jumped it. Small jumps it may be OK a little bit, but bigger fences or for jumping often It can be uncomfortable, they are heavy and bulky. Plus I couldn't imagion the rider being all that comfy either!

[Shadowlark]

If you want to sure - just watch your horn.

I have jumped a 4 foot course in a barrel racing saddle.. on a barrel racer - it was a bet/dare type thing.. We were discussing the versatility of a well trained western horse. I came 3rd in the class (it was just a local schooling show hence me getting away with the saddle)

[greeneyes13]

thanks guys.

looking a holiday in a dude ranch. tack says mainly western. but they have an XC course so i guess they must have a few english saddles tucked away somewhere.

Wonder what cow-boys do out in the country(or er bush or emm whats it called?!:o :o ) when they come across obstacles? go round??:confused: :)

[Shadowlark]

no we bet something and jump it.. but let me tell you there arn't a hole lot of obstacles around most parts :)

[greeneyes13]

ah ha that would make sense

so do most western riders never bother learning to jump?

[Shadowlark]

Jumping isn't really part of the lesson plan.. do I know many you can't/won't.. can't think of a single one. Most well broke western horses will pop a rail, some barrels whatever. when out on a good trail, we don't really think twice about it. Even the old cowboys will pop what's in thier way rather then go around

Now mind you where I am "western" is the general use saddle - in my area everyone rides western and most people have heavily cross trained horses who run barrles, chase cattle, work the farm and drag in the christmas tree's :) so in general a lot is expected of them - and they don't spend a whole lot of time "schooling" they tend to just learn about things as they go.

In areas where western is a hmm lets go with Choice of saddle and discipline not a way of life - I wouldn't expect the same sorts of things go on :)

[Blair Witch]

You can jump in a Western Saddle If you want to. Hold your reins in one hand and grab the horn with the other. It's hard to jump tall obsticals because you can't get a proper forward seat and you might get left behind your horse. lol

If you want to try higher jumps I would suggest using a breastcollar so the saddle can't slip backwards and out of place.

Have Fun!

[Cochise]

Personal experience of bruised ribs from ducking a low branch then having to jump a small log on a forest trail in a western saddle. I don't recommend it!

[Gutter_Doll]

I've been horned through jumping.
And it hurts.
But it's on my gelding, who can't jump to save himself =)

[jinglejoys]

There are western saddles without horns though and a synthetic western isn't heavy specioally a treeless:)

[greeneyes13]

Personal experience of bruised ribs from ducking a low branch then having to jump a small log on a forest trail in a western saddle. I don't recommend it!


:eek: :)

[Cabbitt]

IMO, a Western saddle is ABSOLUTELY inappropriate for jumping. For MANY reasons, I would definitely advise AGAINST IT!:

1) Western saddles are made to have greater contact on the horses back than a close contact saddle (both in their length, how they fit the horse, and the tree) , and therefore prevent the horse from using himself correctly, which can cause soreness and jump shyness.

2) The seat in a western saddle is deep and encourages a deep seat, whereas a close contact saddle is almost flat and encourages a light forward seat. A deep seat makes it VERY difficult to get off your horse's back and stay off over the jump. This can damage a horse's back.

3) The stirrups on most western saddles cannot be adjusted to a proper length for jumping, which prevent the rider from jumping correctly, which can result in them throwing the horse off balance or "punishing" the horse over the jump.

4) As people have pointed out, it can be dangerous with a saddle horn as you can get seriously thumped and have the wind knocked out of you if you lose your balance or your horse takes a back spot/refuses/stumbles.

Can you jump your horse in a Western saddle? Of course! It probably won't even do any harm as long as you only do it infrequently or over very small obstacles. However, making a practice of it would be a bad idea.

Just because you CAN doesn't mean you should. I am very strongly against it. Different saddles are made for different thing... there's a reason the close contact saddle is designed the way it is, and the Western saddle is on the other end of the spectrum.

[greymane]

thanks guys.

looking a holiday in a dude ranch. tack says mainly western. but they have an XC course so i guess they must have a few english saddles tucked away somewhere.
Greeneyes
I'm just wondering if you are looking at the same ranch I'm going to this summer!