novice! uhm, what is western riding?

[Dawn_connie]

I ride occasionally, but being honest, cant stand all the 'properness' of riding. I want to go out, wander through the woods, do a bit of trot maybe (with my dapps as my feet slip, Im such a bad rider when it comes to speed). My dad does ednurance with her, I prefere to groom. Im not interested in dressage, jumping ect.

So, very beginery, what are the basics for western? Any goos sites that could give me some background and basics?

Thanks!

[Shadowlark]

Well ummm.. wow..where to start.

There truly is as much richness and variety in western riding as thier is in English. There are classes, games, competitions and just enjoyment to suit any rider. oviously the saddle is quite different, and the results/expectations tend to be different. But the same basic principals apply! It's not uncommon to see a western rider doing "english" stuff while in full western tack. We have our own variation on "dressage" called Reining, there is of course barrel racing, cattle work, trail classes the list goes on and on!

Western is the "traditional" ridding method adopted in North America in order to work large expanses of land - our saddles tend to be larger, heavier and very sturdy. They can also be SUPER comfy and secure for a novice or nervous rider. To become a good western rider, takes years of work and commitment just like in english. But we tend to expect our horses to just "get on with" thier jobs so we can focus on other things.

Here is a sight - for a magazine actually, but they tend to have loads of interesting info on western ridding and the different events and diceplines.

http://www.equisearch.com/horseandrider/

Hope that helps.. your question is pretty general!

[Dawn_connie]

I know! Very general, but thankyou for replying.

I will have a look through the link you gave me.
As for all the tack, I dont have the money for it. What I noticed when I have seen western riding, is the control you have without using your reins so much. I have usually found myself using my legs to guide her and not so much the reins, is this more in keeping with western?

[Shadowlark]

Yes, we tend to use our weight a lot more then most english riders. Reining horses are expected to work collected with no tension in the rein. On a well schooled western horse if you "think" in a direction chances are you will get it :)

There is NO reason you can't train your horse western in nothing but english tack!

[Bluey's~Friend]

G'day Shadowlark! You've covered it pretty well,I'm search it later. There you Dawn_Connie, you knowall about Western now!

Gotta Gallop,

Bluey's~Friend

[Dawn_connie]

LOL! Excelent!

I think that maybe I have been leaning toward western without knowing it!

Also, thinking that western would be better for my son who has hemiplegia, difficulty using his right side. He isnt yet 2 so doesnt ride, though when its dry he gets a 'pony ride', great physio! Good reason to give it a go myself eh?

thanks again

dawn

[Shadowlark]

Absolutly, I have a very bad hip on my left side, and there are days I cannot engage the leg at all to give a proper aid. (I actually have to mount from the right ;)) But I can still muddle thru just about anything!

The therapy horses can and do provide is amazing, the girls sure keep me goin!

[Dawn_connie]

very true! He is 20 months and this started in the summer. My Dad came in during a physio session and started yapping about Connie to the physio, the physio then demanded to know why he wasnt getting to sit on this horse?! She went into a lot of detail about the muscle movements involved in horse riding and how it benefitted muscles all over, core balance ect... she had been involved with riding for disabled youngsters and was all for it!

You can see a huge difference in him after a few sessions on the horse. We hold him on, and push his pelvis forward so that he is using his pelvis to balance. Nothing works as good for him! Plus, Connie enjoys it, she is so good with him!

[jinglejoys]

You don't say where you are--if your in the U.K. look here

http://www.wes-uk.com/

[Bluey's~Friend]

G'day Dawn_Connie! I did an internet search and found the website I have copied and pasted below. Hope it helps!
Gotta Gallop,

Bluey's~Friend

http://www.equiworld.net/uk/sports/western/index.htm

[Dawn_connie]

Jingle, Im in scotland

Blueys-friend, I found that one! Its given me a lot of information. A lot to think about and Im seriusly thinking about giving it a go. The whole belief about riding should be fun and relaxed appeals to me more than 'English' (am I bad to say snobbery?) Plus, it seems more focused on how your horse performs than stuck up on correct riding. So long as horse is happy, not getting a bad back, your happy and not falling off, and the horse knows what you want, everything is fine. far more relaxed.

So, now, Im looking at books, and in the summer I will think about finding someone to show me some stuff.

Thanks for everyone who replyed to my very random post!

[Bluey's~Friend]

G'day! Thats great! Maybe you should also go to a western show or rodeo or cmapdrafting event? I've just done another search for you, I love doing searches and found this oncmap drafting and this on barell racing! Enjoy!

Gotta Gallop,

Bluey's~Friend.

http://www.ashs.com.au/disciplines/campdrafting.html (let me know if its any good, I haven't actually check it out all that much myself!)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barrel_racing (Let me know what this one is like as well, I haven't had time to check either out. I have in the past, but not recently!)

[Caballero]

So, very beginery, what are the basics for western? Any goos sites that could give me some background and basics?

Thanks!

In my opinion, the best publication on Western riding, including the entire culture of Western riding, is this one: http://westernhorseman.com/.

Good luck!

[jinglejoys]

I think Bob Mahews Video was made in scotland but then its a big country:)
Dawn_connie your attitude to riding sounds very much like mine but then I do own 3mules and a hinny.:D
I got a very nice little book from the western bookshop based in Coventry/Rugby called Natural Western Riding by Don Blazier and Cathy Hanson and if you ever get a chance to go to a Mark Rashid clinic--Go!

[Dawn_connie]

I am going to have a look for some books, if nothing else the story behind it is interesting.

And I would LOVE to see a show!

[Blair Witch]

Western riding is great! It's very relaxed and in my opinion is better for people with joints. When you ride Western Pleasure you have very little contact through the reins and your legs are long and stretched out to a comfortable position. For Western Pleasure most riders hold their reins in one hand and "neck rein" there horse. It's also very convenient when you go trail riding because there are a lot of attachments on the saddle to carry things. Even if you can't afford a saddle now you can ride in your english and start practising there. Adjust your stirrups so the irons just level with the sole of your boot opposed to your ankle bone. You can start training your horse to neck rein by loosening your reins and holding them in one hand and lying them against his neck while urging him to turn. Good luck and have fun!

If you have any more precise question email me :)

[Roheryn]

Bluey's~Friend--
Is campdrafting anything like cutting? I just looked at a campdrafting site and it seems like it is but I don't know.
I wish I could visit a station sometime and watch the riders work the cattle. I've seen it done on TV here (US) but it seems different (and alike) in Australia.

I was disappointed when I finally got to see Quigley Down Under because I wanted it to be about an American cowboy actually working with cows in Australia and showing how American (including Canadian) riders work cows and how Australian riders do. I wish someone would make a movie about an Australian cowboy(?) coming to the US "Old West" and working cows with the other hands.