How Do I train my English Horse Western?

Question

I have a PintoXDraft mare who is currently trained English/ Hunter Jumper. I would like to train her so that I can ride her Western for trail rides, but still ride her English in the arena and jump her.

So, I need to know how to teach her to neck rein, and become a part time western pleasure horse... I only show English and dont plan to show her western.

Please Help!

Answer 1

Okay I have showed a few horses both ways. To transfer a horse that is english rein, to neck rein this is what I do. Just first start off by acting like she knows how to neck rein.When she doesnt turn off of the neck pressure use your inside rein and pull. This will help them understand how to neck rein. This may take a few days or weeks. Just be persistant.

If you decide to use my methods email me at [e-mail] for more info on details.

Answer 2

neck reining is easy... you just put the pressure of the left rein on her neck and plow drive her with the right rein to turn right until she understands to put the left rein neck pressure and the turn right together.. do the opposite to turn right..

other than that.. if youre just trail riding she doesnt need any specific training since she can still move however she wants on a trail and nobody will care.. but if you want to, just have her collect or move slower.. no worries.  

Answer 3

Keep in mind the cues and all aren't that different from English to Western - communication is communication no matter what saddle or bridle you ride in.

Your question about neck reining is valid - you dont' use this style of communication in english.  To do this, you direct rein, but begin to lean your pressure rein/outside rein on the neck when turning or cueing to change direction.  You slowly stop pressure on the outside of the bit, instead encouraging reaction to the push pressure of the rein.  I once tried crossing my reins under the horse's chin - this worked, but it didn't work well, I had problems to undo once he learned.

I think you will find that the hands are not the only thing you use in English - you also use leg pressure and your body to communicate a wish to turn or change direction - this is the same in western and will assist in the communication - if the horse is moving more as a result of your leg cues than your hands, neck reining will be almost a no-brainer.

Probably you will need to get the horse accustomed to a heavier saddle with more stuff hanging around on it and you'll need to become accustomed to a seat that might make you feel a little more "trapped" than the open cantle and pommel english one you are accustomed to.

I sell saddle on the weekends for fun.  If you are just switching from English to Western for pleasure, not show, check out the Tucker saddles - they have great saddles which are both western and english.  If these aren't what you have in mind, consider a more slick fork saddle such as one on a wade tree - these have a narrower pommel more akin to the english saddle.

Take the time to accustom the horse to the feel of the western saddle and bridle just as you would starting a horse to saddle completely.

good luck!

Answer 4

If you are only doing this for trail rides...

Just throw a western saddle on her.

To trail ride you dont need to be western. Espicially western pleasure.

Neck reining is fine and dandy. But I wouldn't do that on trail.

If she is english you can direct rein her.

A western saddle wont effect her in anyway. It may feel funny for a bit because it's heavier. But thats about it.

My horse is Western turned English.

And we understand the switching between.

If Western is only for confort. As I think it is for you.  Just put on the saddle and go.

Just work her a bit in the ring with the saddle. Maybe lunge her with it on for a sec.

I ride trails in English. Always.  Even with a former western horse.

I like that I can feel my horse and cue him with my seat.

I am not saying that you shouldnt. Western can be a blast. And make you feel more secure.

But there is no need to train her western just to trail ride. Or even wear the saddle.

Have fun and Happy Trails!

Answer 5

Higher a trainer

Answer 6

I assume you are going to use a western saddle for trails.  If you haven't purchased one yet, I recommend a synthetic saddle which is more lightweight and easy to clean.  You should try it out a few times for fit, and to allow the horse to adjust to the different distribution of your weight.  You can use your english bridle, unless you don't want to for aesthetic reasons.

If you can get your hands on some very heavy leather reins, made specifically for training horses to neck rein, it will make your job easier.

In the arena, at a walk, lengthen the reins so they dangle a bit. Start by shifting your weight in the saddle...when you shift to the right seat bone, let your left leg contact the horse.  At the same time, lift the left rein and lay it onto the left side of the horse's neck.  If he doesn't turn on these cues alone, extend the right rein, still loose, out to the right.  be sure to keep him walking while doing this.  Use your left leg to keep him going, and keep your right leg away from him.  Your goal is to get him to turn off of the shift in weight to the direction of the turn.  The neck rein is the secondary cue.  Do this in one direction until he is doing it, on loose reins, and mostly on your weight cue.  

Next you have to train the whole same thing in the other direction, since horses can't transfer the inormation from one side of the body to the other.

Once he can do it at a walk, going in either direction, you can do the same thing at a trot.  Try to keep your reins loose....use your seat to slow down if needed, and only shorten the reins for short periods if you have to in order to keep her in the gait.

Don't use backward force on the leading rein...keep it loose and out to the side.

Answer 7

Um...if you are just trail riding..you dont need her to neck rein....if she is used to being ridden, just make sure that you get a proper fitting saddle etc etc....and that she is fine riding with it on in the ring...maybe lunge her with it on a few times...it shouldnt be a huge problem...There is a vast difference between a western trail pony and a western pleasure performance horse....2 completely different sides of the spectrum basically...

Good Luck

Answer 8

To be perfectly honest, it doesn't matter if you use two hands or one to ride.  If you're trail riding just to have fun, do what is most comfortable for the pair of you.  I gather that you've progressed far enough to be jumping that you also know the use of leg and seat aids.  These are pretty much the same Western.  I ride both English and Western but just adapt my riding style for whatever is comfortable if I'm not being judged.

If you really want to train her to neck rein, it is pretty simple.  Continue riding with both hands while training so there is as little confusion as possible.  When you start your turn, do everything you normally would with your seat and legs but lay the opposite rein softly against her neck as your signaling with the other.  For example, if you're turning to your left, use your usual cue with the left hand then lay the right rein against her neck without pulling on her mouth.  For a responsive and/or sensitive horse this concept can be basically grasped within a few days.

The only word of caution I would mention is to make sure your horse is comfortable with the much heavier and less flexible saddle.  Correct saddle fit is almost more important Western because there is so much more room for interference. She may also need time to adjust to all the extra noise and movement, not to mention the drastically larger stirrup leathers.