why did u want....

[squid_is_ace]

hi all!!!:D

why did u want to do western riding???

[raeychelle]

I started western riding because in the area where I keep my horse (118,000 acre ranch in Canada) the terrain is very rough and I found the western saddle gives a little more support and comfort on a long ride. Also, my horse had never to my knowledge been saddled with any other types of tack and trained with any other method of reining (besides neck reining). Finally, there are alot more western riders out here in BC than any other type.

Why did you start western riding?

Rachel

[CrazyfurAnimals]

I started off with english riding, and I liked it a lot, but I decided to switch to Western, because, well, it just interested me more! :) I prefer barrel racing to jumping, and I like the looks of western tack, and clothing better then english. I like both, but after writing a list of the things I like and don't like about each, everything added up to WESTERN. :)

[RoxR]

I enjoy having a go at just about any discipline although don't compete seriously in any of them! Dressage is certainly not my thing, and while jumping is fun I don't have the inclination to be too serious about it - especially with Roxy who is just starting jumping this year anyway. Cross country - no chance!!

I went to a WES show and was totally impressed by the partnerships between horse and rider, and the skills. I liked the trail classes because while interesting to watch, I could see that the training involved would be beneficial to general hacking, not to mention calming Roxy down and helping her to mellow out, while at the same time giving her something to concentrate on and keep her intelligent mind focused and busy!

I also like the dress code more than English! And of course the benefits of a western saddle (even though I'm still waiting for a friend to come and fit mine properly!!)

I joined WES and have already found everyone to be SO friendly and helpful!

[ilovebacara]

i dont...............:D

[squid_is_ace]

what?

[ilovebacara]

ride western

[fizz21]

Is western easy to do?

[squid_is_ace]

bacara--- i get u now!!! lol

Fizz --- i don't do western i would like to though

[ilovebacara]

i have only tried it when i was in canada and it was easy! just felt like longer stirups:)

[myEllie]

I started riding western, and then after about three years I switched to English because i wanted to jump. I would love to do some western riding, but I have a thoroughbred and she just doesn't want to carry her head level. My friend has an Appaloosa that she said I can show for her this year, and my mom is looking at Quarter Horses, so if she buys one, I can show him too.

Fizz, I do think that western is easier, just because I find the horses to be so much better trained. They require no rein contact and respond completely just from your leg aids, or at least the good ones do. Also you don't have to worry about posting and the saddles have deeper seats so it is easier to sit the canter, well, lope. I have ridden some crazy english horses that have required a lot of retraining, but all the western horses that I have ever ridden, and been through extensive training, and were superbly (sp?) behaved. I guess I'm just lucky that way.

[fizz21]

For explaining that to me :)

[squid_is_ace]

fizz hehe

[elle]

i rode western once in england jsut walking and then when i to florida on holiday i went on an advance trail ride and it was fantastic. i think it was a lot easier and the horses was so responsive, i could tell they trusted you.

I dont think the seat is that much different to english but it took me a while to get use to neck reining.

[ilovebacara]

i thort that the neck reining was amazing!! the horses responded sooooo quickly too! wen i was in canada i rode this massive horse it must have been about atleast 17hh and it was quite chunky and i thought oh no this is gonna be a tuff ride and that he was gonna be really stubborn. but all i did was moved my hands slightly and he was already turning!! i thort it was amazing!! :D

[ilovebacara]

here is me on my holiday in canada! this was a beatutiful horse and it was on the farm where our freind lived so it was great cos i got to ride whenever i wanted! i tried to help with rounding up the cattle but i dont think that i was very good at that!! takes a bit of getting used to! the horse is called lucky!! the foto was taken after i had just come back from about a 4 hour ride just 'about'

[myEllie]

ilovebacara, you look a little out of place with your breeches and boots in a western saddle. :D

[squid_is_ace]

cool pic bacara

[CrazyfurAnimals]

Fizz----English is harder in some ways, and western is harder in some ways. It all depends on what you do. But as for getting to the trot, I find that western is harder since you don't post as in english. In western, your just left to bounce around! :)

[ilovebacara]

Originally posted by myEllie
ilovebacara, you look a little out of place with your breeches and boots in a western saddle. :D

he he!! yeah i know!! i got taken the mickey out of but if i wore anythin else it rubbed like mad! so joddies it was!! yeah if u cant do sittin trot i wouldnt advise u to do western! talk about impossible to do rising trot!!! :D

[squid_is_ace]

hehehe

[Outrider]

I started western riding as a kid on my fathers cattle ranch. You need the extra security that the western saddle gives you when you have a good horse that can cut cattle! Frankly, we didn't know of any other way to ride! As for not posting the trot in western, if you are bouncing around a lot then you are simply trotting too fast. Most horses will have at least three speeds of trot. If you ride the slowest, you won't need to post. But I'll tell you, that when I ride a fast trot, I do post for the comfort! At least I learnedone english technique! Happy Trails!

[FRED]

One of you brings back memories,Beautiful British Columbia:)
I would love to learn western,but just try finding some where that has school and horses in Staffs,mission impossible!one of the horses where I ride is trained in western,but I need tons of brownie points to get near him, if ever,he is the herd leader and can be stunning to watch.There is a school that will be opening in a year or possible two near Bridgenorth.The owner is keeping me posted,the horses are being trained at the moment and will doing treks aswell.They are being trained by Chris Brisbane.
I love to see western, in my eyes it can be like dressage,but what I would call a working dressage,magic to WATCH.
I have ridden western in Canada,we even came across bear on the trails,twice, and horse was fine,just troted a bit quicker in oppersite direction which happened to be the way we were going...,I have experienced worse reaction from a horse when a robin started singing in a bush..{I enjoy english too,lots}

[Anja]

I was wondering why it felt strange to post when i was riding in a western saddle:D :rolleyes: ;)

[myEllie]

Whenever I ride western I always start out by posting and then move on to a sitting trot as the horse warms up. Outrider is right though, a good western horse should have a nice slow jog that is really easy to sit to. It kind of feels like a walk, but with a slight lift.

[RoxR]

The Heart of England Equestrian Centre in Spot Acre, nr Meir in Staffs is host to a lot of the Western Equestrian Society clinics and shows - everyone is welcome! There is the Spring show there on 31st March.

Also, Scherie Dermody is a fantastic western trainer based in Nantwich - she might be able to give you some contacts! PM me if you would like her number!!

[FRED]

Thanks,Meir and Nantwich are not far from me.
31st March,should be there:)

[K&K]

i started english riding lessons when i was seven and rode western one week every summer at horse camp. then after i quit riding lessons when i was ten, i started riding western more often, and now (three years after i quit) i'm in love with both of them and am having a heck of a time picking a first saddle!