Western horseback riding is a riding style that has developed on the ranches in North America. Western horseback riding and English horseback riding are extremely similar in that the primary skills are much the same. If you are skilled in one of the styles, you will have many skills for the other style. To read more check out Part 1 of this series.
In both Western horseback riding and English styles, a skilled rider will have gentle hands, great balance, firm seats, and the ability to communicate well with their horse.
Western Horseback Riding Training
Horses trained in the Western style are particularly well trained to respond immediately to a rider’s aids or commands – mainly due to the fact that they are used widely on big ranches to handle sheep, cattle, and most livestock.
Above all, Western horses are trained in common sense. They do their best to keep the rider safe. There is also a significance put on comfort, with long and low strides encouraged to provide a comfortable all day ride on the ranch, as well as helping the horse’s endurance to cope with a long day.
Western horseback riding is also defined by how commands are given to the horse by the rider. A Western horse has been trained to change direction through the pressure put on their neck with the reins, instead of through the bit as happens in the English style, to make them respond. This is called “neck rein”.
This lets the rider be able to control the horse with one hand, leaving the other hand to control the line for roping. A Western horse is also trained to respond to “leg signals” so that if a rider needs to, for whatever reason, he can drop the reins and still give the horse commands.
Basically, no matter what type of horse breed you have, no matter what style of riding you do, you are always able to find success.
Western Horseback Riding Equipment
Western horseback riding calls for special tack – particularly designed to support both horse and rider comfort. The design of the Western saddle is comfortable because it is a lot like an armchair, it’s broad and heavy. It also has a high saddlebow (saddle horn).
The design of this saddle is to be comfortable for the rider as well as the horse for hours and hours of riding, even over the rough countryside. For the horse and rider to be able to offset-balance the added weight of the cattle, this saddle helps to divide the weight evenly.
This saddle is also comfortable for the horse. It helps to disperse the weight evenly and wide across the horse’s back. This saddle allows for aid in roping as well as keeping its rider from sliding out of it.
The saddlebow, also called a saddle horn, will bind the lesson when a rider is cattle roping. The string of the saddle ties up the different types of gear. Nowadays, there are various types of saddles that are used for particular horse riding situations. Things like roping, riding, and/or speed games, and sports.
Most Western saddles are equipped with a breast collar that also aids in keeping the saddle in its place.
In Western riding, on set of reins is used as against the double bridle sometimes seen in English styles. The reins are tied together to keep one of them from accidentally being dropped. The rein ends can be used as a whip to issue commands to your horse although most of the horses will respond to legs and the reins without having to use a whip or quirt.
In Western-style riding, many riders will wear chaps to keep their legs safe from bushes and brush. They will also wear really heavy boots that help to keep their feet in the stirrups.
English Horseback Riding Equipment
The English style of riding uses a lot of the equipment and many of the practices of the European riding “military” styles. The English-style saddle is much lighter as well as smaller than the Western saddle. There are also changes made to the design for the reason of certain regulations. For example, a new rider just learning may decide on an “all-purpose saddle”. These saddles, as with every English saddle, offer a safe and secure place to sit for the rider while also avoiding getting in the way of the horse’s movements.
Western Horseback Riding Skills
Western horses are trained to do their best to keep the rider safe, since during animal herding the rider can be distracted.
Most Western horses have particular skills like herding and cutting. They understand how to help during roping by throwing their own weight around. This aids in roping the animals quickly. The quicker an animal is secured, the safer it is for the rider.
Western horses are also taught how to use their own judgement to refuse commands that may be dangerous to themselves or their riders. They are also taught to stand firm and still if their rider has to quickly jump out of the saddle for whatever reason.
Horse Types
A Western horse can go all day at a steady speed (occasionally chasing some cattle), and they are generally small. Whereas an English horse has long legs, can jump over different barriers, walk/run at different speeds for long intervals, and they are much taller.
Some horses may have a special ability that is surprising for that kind of horse. As an example, a Thoroughbred horse may actually have a “cow sense” or a Quarter Horse may end up being in a ring for dressage.
Gait Differences
Walking
This gait is similar for both Western and English styles – however Western horses are generally encouraged to carry their heads low with their necks long. In English styles the horse is more collected.
Trotting
An English rider will post at a trot – except during a “sitting trot” which is mostly seen in Dressage. Posting means that the rider stands up and sits down in the saddle keeping time with his horse’s gait. Again, the horse tends to be more collected with it’s neck held high and rounded.
A Western horse’s trot is faster with longer strides and lower head – whether it is ridden as a sitting or posting trot.
Canter
An English horse’s canter will be much more energetic, and often faster, than a Western horse. Also known as a lope in Western riding terms, the canter will be relaxed, calm and slow
Differences in Clothing Style
In English horseback riding competitions, riders will wear a fitted jacket, a hunt helmet, breeches (or jodhpurs), a fitted shirt with a tie, and tall, leather boots.
Western riding competitions call for a western-style hat, a shirt that is loose, collared and comfortable, western-style boots, and jeans
What Competition Style is Which?
The following are some examples of English horseback riding styles:
- Jumping
- Eventing
- Polo
- Hunting
- Hunter Pace
- Dressage
- English Country Pleasure
- Mounted Games
Western competitions include:
- Roping
- Reining
- Speed Games
- Cutting
- Equitation Classes
- Team Penning
- Trail Classes
- Trail Riding
English and Western horseback riding have many things in common but they also have quite a few differences. Just remember that before you decide on which style to pay lessons for, learn a little about each and choose the one that best suits what you are wanting to accomplish.