Just curious.
What do you like?
A well-trained western horse is light off the aids and holds themselves together in whatever task you are asking without the rider constantly helping the horse (I know that good English horses do this too and this is not a criticism of English horses, but it’s much more common to ride on contact with both hands). A good western horse knows his job and does it while leaving at least one of your hands and most of your upper body free to engage in another activity (roping, etc). If I am just hacking out, I much prefer to ride Western.
What do I like about Western Riding?
It’s fun.
'Nuf said.
I ride english and western but I prefer western. I appreciate how broke a western horse can be. And this is not to say that western is superior or english horses are not broke.
But I love a horse with a good woah (not slow down, stop!), one that can neck rein, the self carriage that a nice broke western horse should have, and having to ride using your seat and legs. It always feels weird to switch to english contact after riding a super broke western horse!
^^ I also love how western horses tie. It’s a skill western people really work at instilling in their horses. Very convenient.
a well trained western horse is a pleasure to ride; light to the aids, calm in attitude and “yes ma’am” obedient. It seems to me that western trainers are less tolerant of some of the silliness you see in other breeds/styles of riding. p
All of the above.
The first time we went to a hunter schooling show we were amazed we were the only ones with our horses tied to the trailer. We got a lot of funny looks like a wreck was about to happen.
If the horse will not tie I have no use for them.
I ride both but when I start a beginner unless they really want to ride English I start them Western. You have to trust your horse more, relax and learn to use your seat and legs because of the lose rein. I think it is easier to go to contact later than to unlearn constant contact.
Boy howdy. :yes:
I rode huntseat for ten years. I thought I used leg aids back then. :lol:
Then last year I bought a horse who was trained as a reiner. At first I thought he didn’t know anything! :o I seriously almost put him back in a snaffle to restart him.
Then at a horse show I ran into the man who owned and trained him for 12 years. He asked if he could get on him and show me a few things. Wow! He had him turning and spinning a hole in the ground and backing - and he barely touched the reins! I bet my face looked just like :eek:.
When I ride that horse I still have that “Look ma, no hands!” feeling. It is absolutely an exercise in trust. But my little reining horse is absolutely trustworthy.:love-struck:
Now I’m going to see if I can get my other horse like that.
Today I had three different disciplines in the ring during group and had all of them “flying” aka riding with no reins at the canter/lope. Direction, speed and balance all in one five minute portion of the lesson. I thought my Saddleseat girl was using to much rein and this lesson proved my theory. Back to soft hands lessons for her.
I appreciate all the responses. I really agree with the idea that horses should tie and Whoa.
Western horses are usually better at cows. And not scared of them.
To me personally a western saddle is more comfortable. I love riding a neck reined horse who will move off the slightest cue and since I’m to chicken to ever jump and prefer trail riding it is perfect for me.
I really enjoy the self carriage and softness (not that english horses aren’t soft) that well broke western horses have. I ride my mare western and she keeps herself working properly and can stop and back all on a loose rein. I love a one hand broke horse, leaves my other hand free.
I worked a camp with kids this past week and did a demo of how to be gentle with the horses and threw away my reins and stopped with my seat. It had a great wow factor with the kids and showed them how responsive horses can be.
I like the amount of saddle around me when I’m working cattle or trying to do high speed events, English saddles just don’t cut it for me. I can do it, I just don’t like it. I might be able to get away with an Australian Stock saddle… but nothing beats my high back ranch saddle.
I also like the freedom of variation with tack that you have in western. So many different headstalls with conchos, beading, silver, brass, copper, feathers, etc. Then on top of that you’ve got one ear headstalls, two ear, browband, browband with throatlatch, one ear slips, or even just a simple strap that goes around the poll. I feel like there are more saddle options too, some for different functions, many are just for style preference. I find a lot of it to be less expensive as well… I see bridles going for $200 and I typically pay $20-$50 for a nice quality headstall. Then rein options for western setups are endless as well, splits (weighted or not, then various sizes and lengths), romal, roping, barrel (in any color imaginable), single (leather or biothane, braided, flat, or rolled), soft colt reins, etc. The versatility is incredible.
As for show clothing, I find western wear super comfortable and I often wear it. I’m always in boots, I love a good button down, my hat is my portable shade at work, and I’m never without a belt and buckle.
I do like a nice set of spurs too… As long as they’re used properly of course.
Carved leather is just plain gorgeous as well. I’ve tooled and carved a couple pieces of my own tack as well and it turned out beautifully, I always get compliments on it. I like the ability to do that.
I guess the greater ability to be unique, the comfort, and the versatility are all my primary reasons for liking western of English riding.
It’s peaceful …
I went Western because it was easier to find a saddle to fit my horse. I’ve stayed Western because he seems alot happier with a one-ear Western headstall with no browband, throatlatch, or nose band. And I love split reins -gives my horse lots of room. Truly there isn’t much difference in contact between a deep Custom monoflap and my current Endurance style saddle. Since I ride dressage I ride with my stirrup leather right under my hip.
Cowboys.
It’s good to know that you can relax, you don’t have to sit up straight,and the reigns can be a little looser. I love western:D