I ride in a Western saddle because...

[Bluey]

[QUOTE=JeanM;6297891]
Whoa! now that was an incredible freestyle – “Secretariat” does reining! LOVED IT!

I like my western saddles for the trail, even though they weigh more than my English ones (I’ve been doing 25 mile rides the past few years, so there’s been lots of conditioning mileage, too). I like that they have broader weight distribution, thanks to the nature of western vs. English trees; plus they’re great for being able to attach various accessories to (cantle bag, quirt, fly whisk, sponge, water bottle… anything and everything!).

I use either the Western saddles or, more likely, the English ones for my “oh-so-serious” ring riding.

I grew up using English saddles, so this gravitation toward western is sorta surprising, actually! :-)[/QUOTE]

I think there is good in cross training for horses and humans, including getting used to different kinds of saddles and disciplines.:yes:

[SherlocksPonies]

Grew up riding English (Hunter/Jumper). Even though my grandparents were in the Southwest and professional ranchers, I saw then only a few times before my grandfather passed on and the ranch was sold…so, I never got to scratch my inner cowgirl itch…until my late 50’s!

I am SOLD on Western now! I just hack out and ride the trails and roads out here in the boonies and love my Western Alamo saddle for that. Also just really enjoy hacking about in the arena, too.

Once in a while I do like to switch back to English and pop over a few little jumps…always will enjoy that. But I have had a whole new world of riding open up by adding Western riding and my Western saddle…would NOT trade it! :winkgrin:

[sparkette]

Because I’m too lazy to post!

[zoma]

I don’t post much here but i read every thing on COTH, but I got Caine some 14 yrs. ago and he was a 3yr. old TB and he has done jumps faked the walk ,jog,lope for western and he’s done parade and shore to shore- when someone says" oh in’snt that a TB? cuz we’re riding in a western saddle) I’ll lean forward and tell him Shhh, they don’t know" My dd has our other TB that under saddle has a wonderful trot that in a saddle is a wonderful pitty pat trot, but in the bare back will rip up your underside,so I guess post where it’s appropiate, and some of them, they do either would be better at polish the saddle? I’m not a professional- I’ve always rode by the seat of my pants

[BansheeBreeze]

Mostly enjoy western for trail because I just dont find english seats comfy and they really nother my legs and make them stiff. However when I’m working a horse I prefer a minimal english cc saddle

[Simbalism]

It depends what I am doing what type of tack I use. I have a western style endurance saddle(minus horn) and use it when it is called for- long trail rides on rough terrain or team penning. I also use it when I am in the Christmas parade(lots of stop and go-sitting around) I usually post unless my mare is doing her very forward trail trot, then I just kind of get in half seat.

[TheHorseLover21]

I ride western because it is the best kind of riding. :yes:

[Graureiter]

I ride in a Western saddle because…

My wife is borrowing my dressage saddle.
So I use her western one.

[Mtn_trails]

[QUOTE=7HL;6296577]
Breeches & western… I don’t think so.;)[/QUOTE]

I have some friends who ride western in breeches. I’ve tried it when I went right to trail riding after an english lesson. I prefer jeans - Wranglers.

Oh, and I ride in a western saddle because I ride in the cascade mountains all summer and well, an english just wouldn’t work. Also, my main trail horse is only western trained and that’s the way I want it. Love my western saddle.

[Fingerlakes]

Love trail riding and of course western is more suited for our type of rides. Also love English too, but very seldom ride trails using the English.

[Nike13]

I ride western because…my endurance/dressage QH has days where he goes all “Cheyenne Frontier Days” on me and turns broncy and I don’t want to die. Tell me I’m not alone…

[MistyStormy]

Because my knees screamed no at me when I tried to take up English again, but not as much when I tried Western.

[OveroHunter]

I ride in a western saddle on trails because it is so comfortable for my legs and seat!

Plus it has this convenient thing called a horn that is perfect for my saddle bags