western riding

[wendybuss]

Hello, I like western riding. Are there any other western riders out there?????????? I have two quarter horses, one a rose grey, the other an appoolasa. We have not tried any western shows yet, just happy hacking. I find this a very comfortable way of hacking - my only complaint is the weight of the saddles, when putting them on!!!! I would love to hear from anyone out there who rides western also????????????:D

[Katie_85]

I ride Western! Must admit I prefer Saddleseat though! :o :D

[Miriam]

Katie what is saddleseat please :)

[Quarterbell]

Hello, I ride western. There is only one person at my stable who rides english. It's very rare around here. I just trail ride and don't know much about the "rules" of western riding. All western saddles do not weigh the same so maybe you can find a lighter weight one. My saddle is 35 lbs but my instructor's saddle is at least 45. I have a Belgian Quarter cross mare. 15.1 hands and very round.

I don't care to watch western pleasure classes but I really like to watch trail classes and gymkhanas. Maybe some day I'll get up the nerve to enter one.

[Quarterbell]

This is in response to Miriam who asked what is Saddleseat. I'm new here and am not sure if I am posting this correctly. Anyway Saddleseat is a way of riding that started in the United States with plantation owners needing a way to ride their horses for hours and hours and still be showy enough to take into town. It uses mostly American gaited breeds but also Arabs. It is for very high headed forward moving horses and is very showy and fun to see in competition. It is supposed to be extremely comfortable for the rider. Do a search for saddleseat and you'll see a picture of what it looks like.

[Gods Property]

LOL seems like you need to build up those arm muscles to lift the saddle!!!LOL...i ride western on my paint gelding named GP..w.pleasure..i just qualified for the state fairl today:)

[Katie_85]

Wow! Hey Miriam, sorry I missed this thread. Geeze, the 4th of July. Quarterbell explained it pretty well. Remember that black enlgish saddle you rode Goober on? That was a Saddleseat saddle. :)

[Miriam]

I remember Goober and the saddle very well. Have to admit it did not look like it would be comfortable but it was :D

[JustBetMe]

There are lighter western saddles out there. I ride with a synthetic Circle Y as the traditional all leather ones were too much for my wimpy arms.

[ridehorses]

i mostly ride english (jumping) but i'm very familiar with western! every summer i ride western....mostly learning to barrel race. i think its a lot of fun. i use a synthetic saddle too...they are pretty light! my friend who ropes though, has a huge saddle! it weighs a ton!

[carol_leroc]

Hi!

I like Western Riding. Am desperately seeking somewhere to ride in the Nottingham area. Recently returned from working in the States and miss my regular saddle up times!

Know what you mean about the weight of the saddles though. Try a synthetic one - not as robust as leather, but much lighter!

Carol:)

[wendybuss]

I would like help with my two horses - laiko and rikki. i live in kent is there anyone out there who would like riding in return for work, otherwise i may have to sell one????????????:( :(

[trick_pony19]

Hi guys
I dont ride western but sometimes I ride western but not for lessons! But I think western riders are a little more respectful to the horses. SOrry all English riders I still will always ride english :D :D :D

[tarkia]

I was going to try western riding once, but I went off the idea. I might book a lesson to see if its any better, ive heard its meant to be good for hacking and lot more comfy.

[carol_leroc]

Hiya - once you've tried Western riding, you won't be so keen to get back in the English saddle!

Hacking on a Western saddle is so much more comfy - and I always feel more secure. Especially when going down steep hills!

Still looking for somewhere to ride Western in the Nottingham area. Help!

:D