3rd Lesson and Question...

[Galiena]

I had my third lesson today. :D I rode in an English saddle. I'm still not sure about it. It was definetly different than the western saddle, but I'm not sure which one I like better yet.

I have a question though. Today it seemed harder to keep my heels down in the English saddle than it is in the western saddle. Has anybody else experienced that, or am I just weird? It could also be that my boots are still slightly stiff although I wore them some this past week.

The only thing that happened to me today was this...Ginger stepped on my foot. :rolleyes: I was leading her from her stall to the arena and she stepped on my foot. (My RI and I were both distracted because the were dragging a big tree along the road.) My foot hurt when she first stepped on it, but by the time I had her groomed and had the saddle on her, it didn't. But now, it's starting to hurt again. That's just my luck though. :rolleyes: :p

Oh, and I get to start group lessons next week, hopefully. If my parents agree to the time.

[shirley]

I must admit to never trying out a western saddle (although hope OH is getting me some western lessons for my birthday next week!!!). But I would imagine it is what makes you feel more supported and comfortable in the saddle. I have just recently bought a new saddle for my cob, the this is english as was the last one, but this one is so much more comfortable I can now get my heels down and feel that I am far more secure in the saddle.

[jacstar]

English saddles will feel heaps different to a western or stock

as your legs are in a different position, it just takes practice.

try and stretch through your legs, hips and back rather than just your heels for example:

Try and concerntrate on lifting your back and head up vertical(as if a rope is atached to your head and pulling up) and push your legs and butt done then your heels will naturally go down.

good luck and hopw the foot feels better my TB has done the same thing a month ago the bugger :mad: :D

Jac

[cvb]

Galiena

Where a western saddle sits a rider does depend on the style of saddle being used (barrel, trail, pleasure, reining etc).

Ditto with an english saddle - dressage, General purpose (GP), jumping or eventing

But in general the feel is simialr between a dressage saddle, where you have a long leg, and a western saddle.

With a more all-round GP saddle, the angle at hip, knee and ankle will be tighter (*) than on the western or dressage saddle. This can alter how the rider distributes the weight if there is any tension or tightness in those joints.

There is also some difference at the knee between western and english - its minor and to do with how the stirrups and fenders/leathers sit. My new western saddle has stirrups that hang in the right direction, so I notice this a lot less !

EDIT: * words words words ! by "tighter angle" I mean more closed, not more tense :rolleyes:

[Cherokee]

Don't really know about the saddle thing as i have only ridden english.Sorry to hear about your foot , a horse stood on my foot about a month a go and my toe nail is still black. :eek:

Hope your foot feels better soon :)