I love how this conversation is going. Indeed; if you’re riding treeless, bitless, clicker you are probably neither! I guess it could come down to whether you neck rein or direct rein -the former being Western and the latter English. Even then it feels like we’re trying to fit terminology that may be behind the time with regard to its application.
The gear question just complicates things doesn’t it. I’ve always ridden in breeches and tall boots, but since moving to my current barn -eventers and barrel racers who are clearly alot less uptight about things than I am -and riding a treeless EZ fit the tall boots and breeches are becoming less cohesive with my frame of mind. Here’s a great example; the other day I wussed out of winter riding because literally my backside was freezing in my breeches (the top of me was under long johns, sweater and quilted jacket, but the bottom of me was just long underwear and breeches).
I said to my friend, “I’m going to ride in my carhartts if I can fit them over my boots!” I thought I was saying something pretty revolutionary.
“Sure, why not?” she says, “People do it all the time.”
My eyes got big. Riding in other than breeches and tall boots? Then it occurred to me that I was hanging out with people who rode in shorts, jeans, overalls, and even…gasp…carhartts!
I’m really rethinking what I had known to be true. It’s been since July and they’re still teaching me things at this barn!
Paula
