Western or English?

[CrazyfurAnimals]

I know I had this in the other section, but since you people are all Western riders, I just wanted to hear why you all love Western over English? Thanks. :)

[liz--y]

i'm a english rider have just to try western there not all western riders here

[liz--y]

i never looked at the section :) how do i delete a post

[horselover]

Well, i for one didn't choose anything over anything. I learned to ride western and rode only western for about 6 or 7 years. Then I rode a horse for someone and used an english saddle, and then I got interested in wanting to really learn english b/c I wanted to jump.

I love riding english and jumping, but I think that western is equally as enjoyable. And when it comes to training horses or schooling a very difficult horse, I always use a western saddle. They make me feel much more secure, I think, not just b/c of the saddle itself, but b/c I really feel more comfortable in a western saddle since it's what I first learned.

I think starting off western is great for beginners. Riding tends to be a little nervewracking at first, and a western saddle provides alot more security. There is also less to worry about in regards to form. BUT, if you do plan on learning english, don't put if off too long. I rode western for so long that I still have to concentrate to have an english form, even after over 2 years of riding english. The hardest thing for me is keeping my legs underneath me and back- in western, they are more forward or at leats straight down, not back like in hunt seat.

So, for me, I donm't love western over english or english over western. I prefer to take english lessons b/c I love to jump, but if I could do barrel racing or reining, I would ride western more often. To me, it's like comparing apples and oranges- They are different, and I like both for different reasons.

Hope this answers your question a little bit. I was going to post a reply to you in your other post, but then i saw this.

[kelsey]

Horselover is right! I found starting in Western after a very long absence from riding was great, if you have a good instructor you will learn to ride in a very classical position which is close to an English dressage seat. You don't really have to learn to neck rein unless you are planning to show, although you will ride with less contact than in English. I found this a good thing as you never really start hanging on the horse's mouth.

I found it quite easy to move back to English after a few months (mind you, I don't jump).

Western is also great for hacking, more security and easier to carry your lunch!

[Outrider]

I didn't choose western over english, it chose me! Growing up working cattle as a kid in Missouri, western riding was just the only thing I was exposed to. It wasn't until 1991, when I went to Saudi Arabia and was asked to break and train horses for a Saudi man there that I had to ride english! What a shock, but I did learn to ride it well enough to break and train his horses for him. I'm still partial to western riding, though I would love to learn to jump and I know from experience that jumping in a western saddle is a good way to get yourself a second, bigger belly button! Happy Trails!

[CrazyfurAnimals]

Thanks everyone. All your comments are helping out. I don't think I'll ever want to jump. But once I get better at English riding, I might want to. So maybe I'll stick with English for a while. I'll let you know anyways. :)

[Peace]

I chose to start out western, because I knew I didn't care about jumping, and I liked the nice slow jogs and lopes I saw performed by western horses. Then I spent a few weeks riding bareback, to improve my balance. After that, I switched to english - a small saddle seemed more than enough after no saddle at all! And I liked having my feet more under me. Now that I've been off horses for a year, I'm riding western again - it's a really secure, comfy saddle. I couldn't say which discipline I like better - as long as I'm on a horse, I guess I'm happy! :)

[plusone]

I think it depends on your attitude as well. If you regard riding primarily as a competitive sport then English is probably the best style for you. However if partnership and trust are more important to you and you regard your horse as a companion and friend, then you might want to consider western riding. And you can combine it really well with natural horsemanship.

[Outrider]

Plusone, I'm not sure about English being preferred if you want to compete. Both English and Western have fantastic competitive activities. This will depend on just what you want to compete in. Jumping? English, without a doubt. Reining or cutting? You'd better be in a Western saddle or you won't be in any saddle very long! For a beginner, I would think that Western is a little easier and more forgiving than English. The choice, if you have one, of whether to go English or Western really just depends on what your overall riding goals are. A person can always switch from one to the other as they become better riders. Happy Trails!

[plusone]

there aren't that many western events in the UK though. Anyway, what I meant to say was that the mentality among western riders is different (at least in Europe). People who switch from English to western are usually the ones who prefer hacking out, trail riding etc.

[horselover]

What you say about the UK is true, Plusone, so I guess the best question is what country are you from, Crazy4Animals?

As Outrider stated, in the US, western and english are equally competitive, and many people compete in both areas. I, myself, prefer to compete english over western only b/c I find western pleasure to be one of the dullest classes. I have done some barrel racing and reining, and would love to compete in those areas, but where I am, those are only popular in 4H competetions, unfortunately. So I don't get as much chance to do them as I would like. Westen pleasure is big here, but I personally don't find much pleasure in it, as least in competetion.

Anyway, the point is, you can compete in both disciplines, but the opportunities depend on your location.

[CrazyfurAnimals]

I live in the US. I'm really interested in being able to show now for some reason. I know I'm not good enough yet, and I don't own my own horse, but I hope that someday I will be able to show with my horse. :)
Anyways, Thanks for all your help EVERYONE! It all helps out. Thanks!! :) :) :)