English or Western??

Question

I've just started riding and I've taken 2 lessons. My coach has me riding western all the time but I want to ride english. Should I ask her if I could ride english instead? And is it better to start out riding english or western?

Answer 1

in my opinion start out western. take a couple more lessons western until you get to walk, trot, and canter, and learn how to control. once you feel totaly comfortable at a walk trot and canter you can ask to do english. its up to your lesson teacher, because english is a bit harder because there is less saddle, but once you get to the point of where you feel comfortable western, try english

Answer 2

It doesn't make a difference. I think learning english would be better to start with, because you learn posting (rising and sitting to the trot beats) and two point (going forward when you jump), which can help you in western riding. I feel that english is more fun, and action packed. You do everything in western and more, such as jumping. I love english, and go ahead and ask your trainer if you can switch.  

Answer 3

I started out taking lessons with english and I find that a lot harder so it made me a better rider fast! When I bought my own horse I did western. I regretfully sold him and now I'm thinking about getting another that does both! I LOVE english and the challenge of it but I also love western and the laid back (trail riding) of it....so it's really what you're looking for!

Answer 4

Yes, you should ask her to let you switch. And, english is better to start out with! It gives you a better sense of balance. You could also ride bareback if you want good balance.

Answer 5

ive always  started english it helps u on your ballance and it would also teach you how to jump its really fun and also i would help you on the basics!!!

Answer 6

She is probably just starting you off on western because it is easier to ride for a begginer.......after a few lessons ask her if you can do both english and western.......Personally I love western and I think it is better.

Answer 7

doesn't really matter maybe your could ask your trainer and if you like english better do that and if not stay with western. if you still cant decide maybe you could talk to your trainer about doing both. i ride a lot of different styles and even do some driving and i have sooooo much fun and the more ways you can ride the better rider you are!!

Answer 8

I started riding English and that was 4 years ago I still love it to this day! Western is good if you just want to trail ride...it isn't very fun to show. It doesn't matter if you start out in western or english but if you want to ride english I suggest starting out in it b/c you can easily be confused by learning to ride western then changing to english...they are both different in many ways! best of luck!

Answer 9

Well, some barns only do Western or English, so you might have to switch barns to ride English.

Ask her about it, that can't hurt. But she might tell you that their barn doesn't teach English.

I started out with Western at summer camps and stuff, before I got really interested in horseback riding. Now I do English. If you're taking regular lessons and plan to be in shows and such, it's better to do English, since that looks better for shows. And it's more fun, in my opinion. ^.^

Answer 10

Yeah I think you should because it's your choice. Your parents pay for the lessons and that means they should also teach you the stuff you want to learn. I also think english is better because english is the first riding style you should learn. English is before everything. We speak english it was the first language we learned. Only if we were spanish we would obviously learn that language first. Then, we would learn english. But the point I'm trying to make is since our parents grew up learning english we learn english. It's the first thing we learn. Well, I don't know why I'm explaining this whole thing to you lol. So now you know.

Answer 11

I've been riding western and Engish for like 12 yrs now.  I excel much more at western. But everyones different. give it all a try. plus bare back is just as fun!!!

Answer 12

well its really good to have both under you belt. When i started taking lessons i started with western. I learned the basics, and everything about horses that i needed for riding and grooming in western. Then after a while i told my trainer i wanted to switch to english .This is where i started Dressage. It is really tough, but so amazingly fun. I would do 2 or 3 more lessons in western and learn some more, soak up info like a sponge, then switch to dressage or english. It will really help you with your future riding career.

GOod luck  

Answer 13

doesnt matter what you ride first, one isnt better over the other, they're different. i ride both, and perfer bareback (jump on and go) anyway, go ahead and ask if you can ride english, couldnt hurt to ask.

Answer 14

I started my riding career english, but I have switched to western.  My current coach says that it is easier to teach the basics in a western saddle because you dont have to worry about holding your legs in the proper position with the little flimsy (no offence) english stirrup leathers, if you've noticed a western saddle has ''fenders'' which connect the stirrups to the saddle & they are a lot easier to keep in one place. Also a western saddle has a horn, so if you do get unbalanced at first, you wont be using your reins for balance like some beginning english riders do, as you will be able to hold onto the horn (yes , i know you can get pommel straps for english saddles....)  Ask you coach why she has started you english and what her reasons are behind it....you should feel comfortable to ask and discuss anything with your coach :) They are there to help YOU and you need to ask for what you want out of your time with them, however do not get too bossy and tell them what to do :) Have fun & enjoy the freedom which a horse offers, whether you are in a western or english saddle :)

Answer 15

Ive riden both, because i have always ridden others horses.

But now with my own horse i ride western.

So i prefer western.

But if you want to ride english dont be shy and ask if you can switch to english.

I love western, theres lots more to do, and its more active!

Answer 16

ask

i ride western, but the barn has multiple english saddles, and i occasionally ride with a girl who does english. it's not much different. except the saddle is harder to put on (i've watched.)

western is easier tho, the stirups are bigger, the SADDLE is bigger, and direct regining is quite exact

Answer 17

For lessons i personally think starting english is better.. It teach's you balance and many other things that you can use in both diciplines.. I ride english, with a little western but even my full time western friends say english is better to learn first for the basics. If you just want to trail ride then western is fine.. But if you want to learn balance, showing and any english riding you should take english lessons.. English you kinda have to be taught more, western most people just jump on and go...

Hope I helped, and I don't want to put down any riders.. I think it takes a lot of skill to ride good in any discipline. :)

Answer 18

I think either way is fine to start with but I prefer English riding. It's fun but their is a lot of work to it. I would suggest English though.