Best style of riding for hacking?

[Joyscarer]

I've been thinking about this for a little while now since that Alaxandra whats-her-face horse people programme where she was on that range in the USA.

Given that cowboys have to spend a long time in the saddle and have to be sharp, nimble and balanced on their horses, is western far better suited to the horse and rider?

I've read a bit about how the way an English rider rides affects the horses balance and peformance so how this this equate in Western? I'm thinking back to that barrel racing sequence when she said that the amazing riding by the best racers was putting into practice everything that English riders are taught is bad eg rocking upper body, swinging legs that are too far fowards!

If it's so bad to do this according to English riding then why do other cultures ride so differently?

Also, could the old fashioned dreaded 'chair seat' found in many old hunting pics be through necessity so our penchant for 'correctly' positioned stirup bars actually be completely wrong for hacks?

I'd love other peoples thought's on this :D

[horsey1992devon]

English riders like to make life difficult for themselves ;)

I've ridden western and it's certainly much more comfy for myself to ride that way, and like you say it does neccesitate (sp?) the swinging legs out infront and leant back style of riding, it was difficult to ride english style in a western saddle I found.

As for wether or not it's more comfortable for the horse, I suppose there's no way to really know, but I can imagine it would be even if only because western saddles distribute weight more evenly and have thick blankets underneath for padding.

[xloopylozzax]

swinging legs? rocking upper body?

i have never ever been taught that! still as possible (well appearing to be, absorbing the movement)

my dad always rode in the classic hunting position, heels down legs forwards etc he found it very secure (and more comfortable for his pelvis he broke it several times) :)

when i compare western to dressage say i know which horse and which rider i would rather be (the dressage one ;))

ETA- oh you mean what western people are taught, i missed that point :o ignore what i said :o

[BIrish]

Depends on what you are doing I'd think..

For hacking (longish distances) on the flat and perhaps barrel racing then maybe western influenced seat/riding style might be better.. Endurance riders seem to have a kind of cross of western and "English" styles to suit the long rides they do and make it more comfortable for horses and riders..

You'd be knackered if you tried going hunting or anything that involved SJ in a western seat I'd think though! Straight off you'd be over a big hedge or wide ditch!

[No_Angel]

I ride with a style I like to call wenglish:D

I basically mix up western and english, and ride so I feel comfortable.

I can't sit for hours at a slow jog, I have my feet underneath me and I mostly rise to the trot, I do neck rein, as its so much easier and useful for gates and such.

My saddle is a hybrid, which is a cross between an english and a western, its a lot more secure for hills than a complete english saddle.

[Joyscarer]

So given that we are always onabout having our legs back under us and not tipping forward for fear of loading the forehand, how does this work in Western?

I've been threatening to have Western lessons for a while now so am very interested on how it affects the horse as much as how practical it is for the rider :)

[Welsh_Girl]

Interesting the different ways that the western is taught! My instructor teaches me only to put my legs forward to ask for halt and/or rein back. The emphasis is on unloading the front end to allow for elevation, but the weight of the rider should be positioned so as not to restrict the horses lower back.

[No_Angel]

I am the same, I don't push my legs forward when riding western, only when I am asking for a stop or back up, or going at speed down hill.

[BIrish]

I'm confused about this legs forward thing -I assume not in English style ?? When are the legs forward anytime ? *puzzled*

[Joyscarer]

I'm confused about this legs forward thing -I assume not in English style ?? When are the legs forward anytime ? *puzzled*

Nah, not in English unfortunately as it was hard to get myself out of it :rolleyes:

When Alexandra whatnott was watching the barel racing the lower legs of the best riders seemed to be either stuck right forwards or swinging about like mad things :D

The upper body seemed to be rocking too which is a no no in English.

Given how I adore watching a well trained Western horse and how strict the English school seems about being upright with legs under you and the hell, hips shoulder alignment I'm curious as to how these differences sit in terms of how the horse feels and performs and which is the most appropriate for a mad hack across country :)

[Twigletz7]

I think the 'legs forward' thing is meant as a Western trait:confused:

[BIrish]

Ahhh .. I see... :)

I'm also interested to know.. I think it must be more comfortable to go for long flat hacks with a western legs-dangly type seat (often when hacking along I'll take feet out of stirrups and "sit western" for a bit - it's comfy!)

Both schools of riding take a forward light seat for galloping though with legs underneath the body to let the horse use itself/balance properly so I dunno..

For mad hacks across country I would prefer an english saddle and legs underneath me .. but it's probably down to habit :o

[Joyscarer]

I think it must be more comfortable to go for long flat hacks with a western legs-dangly type seat (often when hacking along I'll take feet out of stirrups and "sit western" for a bit - it's comfy!)



Me too. Do a lot of that on the way home and practice my neck reining or riding off my weight aids at the same time. :D

[Welsh_Girl]

Yikes you'd get shot by my trainers if you took your feet outta the stirrups lads :eek:;)

Honestly don't know which "school" of Western the "legs forward, bodies rocking" comes from! :confused: If your legs aren't under you when you bring the front end around you will go out the side door!

As for jumping, its definatly weird in a western rig, you can lean forward, but you can't come out of the saddle. I've jumped up to 3ft ish (A fallen redwood) on the trail, but I tell you I did it carefully! :eek: I don't want children but I still like to keep my options open :p

[BIrish]

Yikes you'd get shot by my trainers if you took your feet outta the stirrups lads :eek:;)

B-b-but in a forward cut jumping saddle, with a person that rides quite short (too many bucky horses!) the only way I can emulate a western dangly-leg position is feet out of stirrups :) Please forgive me and not shoot me!

Like JC it's just as a bit of a relax and play.. I also play neck reining :) Horse responds to weight aids anyway :)

As for jumping, its definatly weird in a western rig, you can lean forward, but you can't come out of the saddle. I've jumped up to 3ft ish (A fallen redwood) on the trail, but I tell you I did it carefully! :eek: I don't want children but I still like to keep my options open :p

Reeeeeelly.... keeping options open eh ??? getting chickens who will be broodY... being an uber cool Auntie.. it's all leading upto something I think.... ;):p

[Welsh_Girl]

B-b-but in a forward cut jumping saddle, with a person that rides quite short (too many bucky horses!) the only way I can emulate a western dangly-leg position is feet out of stirrups :) Please forgive me and not shoot me!

LMAO!!!:D

Like JC it's just as a bit of a relax and play.. I also play neck reining :) Horse responds to weight aids anyway :)

A horse of many languages! I'll get you and S doing freaky stuff you wait!! :D



Reeeeeelly.... keeping options open eh ??? getting chickens who will be broodY... being an uber cool Auntie.. it's all leading upto something I think.... ;):p

Not a chance! uber cool auntie is good enough for me ta!! I get to hand her(fingers crossed a little lady is on the way) back after teaching her all about cocktails!! :p

[BIrish]

A horse of many languages! I'll get you and S doing freaky stuff you wait!! :D

Lol .. he knows the freaky stuff - we just call it different names! Can't have a responsive stressage ponypo who doesn't understand soft and weight aids!

Not a chance! uber cool auntie is good enough for me ta!! I get to hand her(fingers crossed a little lady is on the way) back after teaching her all about cocktails!! :p

The lady doth protest to much I think :p:D

Anyway... Perhaps he will like cocktails too ??

[learningcurve]

I would love to try western, I ride with too long, and on the buckle if I can.
Big pommel puts me off a bit.(if thats what its called)

[Welsh_Girl]

Lol .. he knows the freaky stuff - we just call it different names! Can't have a responsive stressage ponypo who doesn't understand soft and weight aids!

Then we'll rope stuff off him then :p

The lady doth protest to much I think :p:D

I'll keep practising the making bit thanks ;)

Anyway... Perhaps he will like cocktails too ??

I'm sure it can be arranged.....but what will his rugby pals think? :D

[Welsh_Girl]

Big pommel puts me off a bit.(if thats what its called)

Its called a horn :) Its also a very handy oh s**t handle :D

[BIrish]

Then we'll rope stuff off him then :p

Coool!! We can borrow cows from Seamus! (Not the big bull.. :eek:) I reckon Stanners would be a great cow pony! He LOVES cows!



I'll keep practising the making bit thanks ;)

Yes.. well.. practice makes.......................perfect!!!



I'm sure it can be arranged.....but what will his rugby pals think? :D

*snorts* .. ok.. you've got me there..

[learningcurve]

Its called a horn :) Its also a very handy oh s**t handle :D

I like the sound of that.:D:D

[Welsh_Girl]

I like the sound of that.:D:D

Which bit? :D Its made of wood so very sturdy...:cool:

[learningcurve]

Sounds like an emergency handle if things go pear shaped, always good to have one.:D:D

[Joyscarer]

Yes I was very interested in western. When I looked ito it I felt that rather then going western if anything I'd go for an australian stock saddle :)

[Yann]

Also, could the old fashioned dreaded 'chair seat' found in many old hunting pics be through necessity so our penchant for 'correctly' positioned stirup bars actually be completely wrong for hacks?

I've pondered this one, the chair seat does give you a wider base of support and therefore much more stability on rapidly changing or uneven ground. As BIrish has pointed out it's also far more suitable for jumping obstacles too. The penchant for set back stirrup bars is fine in the school or for pootling on the flat, but it means your seat can potentially act as a pivot point if you get caught out IMHO.

[Joyscarer]

I've pondered this one, the chair seat does give you a wider base of support and therefore much more stability on rapidly changing or uneven ground. As BIrish has pointed out it's also far more suitable for jumping obstacles too. The penchant for set back stirrup bars is fine in the school or for pootling on the flat, but it means your seat can potentially act as a pivot point if you get caught out IMHO.

Very nicely put and exactly what I meant :o

[No_Angel]

Just wondering, if you use weight aids when out on a hack, do you use them when schooling your horses 'english'?

My horses are all schooled to neck rein and go off weight aids, I use the same aids when schooling or hacking, riding english or western.

[Joyscarer]

Just wondering, if you use weight aids when out on a hack, do you use them when schooling your horses 'english'?

My horses are all schooled to neck rein and go off weight aids, I use the same aids when schooling or hacking, riding english or western.

Yep that me too. I've never learnt Western but like the fact that my horse is responsive to seat aids.

I've alway been very wary of mouths, too much so as I have problems with working her up into a contact because I give my reins away :o

[lottiec]

In fact in western riding you are aiming for the same position as the classical dressage rider (ear, shoulder, hip, heel vertical) with some exceptions i.e. if you are cutting or barrel racing! The "sitting on jeans pockets" position is actually a bad habit - so I have been told!!!! :)
The reason why I like western riding for hacking is for the comfort and sense of security I get from riding in what is like your favourite armchair!!! I currently ride my horse in a HM saddle which is great for his back and fine for schooling but on a hack if he puts in a little spook or a happy buck :rolleyes: thre is nothing to sit in to. If you know what I mean?!

[BIrish]

Just wondering, if you use weight aids when out on a hack, do you use them when schooling your horses 'english'?
.

Absolutely :) I've always been taught that weight is a very important aid - since a child in Pony Club :) I can't see how anyone can ride properly without using their weight :confused:

It's essential for all disciplines IMO :) but I only really really learnt it's worth in SJ (apart from basic balancing & "steadying" action) when I had lessons with Tim Stockdale. I was having issues making the step up between classes - more technical courses were causing me to have problems - and Tim really taught how weight useage as an aid can be so important to let your horse have ever chance. Especially on a sharp little horse who wasn't one you could use much hand on!

[icegirl]

This is what Ive been told by my RI who has done quite a lot of Western Riding and teaches in US. Softer back, absorb the movement - less of the sitting up poker straight which is still the style of some English riding, looser rein. I have ridden in a Western saddle in the Rockies a few years back and loved it - dead comfortable. Given that I have back problems, Ive found a more Westernised style of riding as described above, is a darned site easier on a long hack. Dont jump so that bit doesnt bother me.:cool: