I have never ridden western?

Question

is it better that english?

is it hard to learn? is there anything to learn?!?

anything u think about western please tell me.

thanks :-)

Answer 1

i like it more then english it is hard but not hard to learn if you know how to ride western is not easy an dall western riders i know are  taller then english riders and bulky is fat western riders have muscles

Answer 2

Well i ride western, I have never rode english, i have rode western for 9 yrs and i love it, its challenging but isn't every sport hard? It depends on what you want to do, if you wanna trail ride its easy and relaxing, if you want to ride professionally its harder. It very awesome! Its easier to sit in the saddle I'm guessing ha ha. Well I hope I was help-full!!

Brianna Joy

Answer 3

i love to ride western, you can relax while you ride instead of worrying about balance

i dont think that it is better then english, i think they are equal, but i would prefer western since that is what i have ridden all my life

it is pretty easy to learn, esp. if you have a good calm horse to learn on  

Answer 4

everyone should ride western because that is true riding not no English riding and i know a lot of western riders that are skinny and we are muscular because we work with them and work on farms

Answer 5

riding western is really easy but u do need to be able to have a good seat and good balance but most of all u need to be able to move with the horse. i have ridden western my whole life unless it was bareback. and i always thought that it was easy. if you have the want to learn and the ability you can learn it in a heart beat.

Answer 6

is it better? one is not better of the other, they are different.

is it hard to learn? nope, what to learn? go get 1-2 lessons from a trainer in your area and see if you like it.

there's lots to say depending on exactly what type of western riding do you want to do.

good luck.

Answer 7

Okay, this is my opinion

English is more fun because it is faster and i think jumping and dressage and even pleasure classes are AWESOME.

I think western is WAY too easy, but idk, i think that western PLEASURE is really easy. i would pick english over western any day!!!

but i think it is body type more.

i think a taller and skinnier girl is suit for enlgish and i western rider looks good shorter and a LITTLE more bulky, like muscular

But englsish is safer because you can wear helmets in shows and  I!!!! can tell when an english horse is going to buck cuz they slow  down and it is harder to rear. \. BUT MY OPINON

Answer 8

Whether or not you it is better than english is a matter of personal opinion.  I wouldn't say one is better than the other.

It's neither harder nor easier to learn than english if you learn to ride correctly, though the saddle does hold you in more.  There is a ton to learn, how much and what specifically will depend on what you choose to do.

Answer 9

accually alot of people start out riding western because it is easier than english the seat of the saddle is bigger so it is easier to balance it is different cause i think when you canter when you are riding english you sorta go up and down and when you canter western you just sit in the saddle

Answer 10

When you transition from english to western riding, there are some basics to learn.  First, you will ride with a longer leg, and more open angle to your hip, unless you have been riding dressage, in which case the leg length and position are virtually the same.

You will also ride with a deep seat, and use your seat more to cue your horse.  In western riding, most of what you cue your horse for is done through your seat, as opposed to direct reining and legs.  So you would have to learn how to ride without posting, and how to cue the horse differently.

Also, in western riding the horse is neck reined, using one hand.  You have to learn to stay off of the horse's mouth, as opposed to the constant contact maintained in two-handed direct reining.  Neck reining is done using vibrations on the reins, and rein signals are the last and least of the cues....the seat being first, legs second, and reins last.  Your position in the saddle is similar to your position in riding dressage.  I prefer western riding for going out on trails since the saddle is more comfortable for the horse and rider, and it accommodates carrying extra coats, sprays, or whatever on the saddle attachments.  For showing, it is a matter of what goals you pursue.I've trained in western, dressage, and hunter/jumper, but have only shown western.  My 3 daughters showed hunter/jumper, and all trained western as well. What they found difficult when going from english to western was keeping their balance in the long leg position and one-handed reining and leaving the mouth alone, using their seats to cue, keeping their feet in the stirrups, and sitting all gaits correctly.  Since seat cues are so trained in a western horse, being well seated is essential to properly signaling for turns, leads, pivots, stops, etc.

Answer 11

Western was developed as a comfortable, functional style of riding.  Unless you plan on doing rodeos, Western pleasure shows, etc., there is very little to learn except the proper use of Western tack.  You basically sit up, keep your butt on the saddle at all times, move with the horse, and don't fall off.  Not much to it.  There's not a lot of hoity toity how to hold your hands or what angle your legs should be or any of that nonsense, it's just meant to be fun and relaxing.

Answer 12

Western riding is more similar to English then you might think.  I personally think that it really helps to know more then one style, because it can help improve the style you normally ride.  I wouldn't say it is better than English riding, but it certainly isn't worse.  I also don't think it is any harder than other types of riding.  There are definitely things to learn, especially if you go into reining (spins, sliding stops, etc.)  I think you should try it.  It will definitely improve your English riding.

Answer 13

Anyone who says western is easier doesn't really ride.  Good horsemanship and riding skills take time and effort no matter what discipline!  It's not about "keeping your butt in the saddle"  Pleeease!  Showing western takes timing and finesse, almost more than english because you are not supposed to let the judge see you cue the horse, your reins are in less contact so you are using all seat, leg and balance. Go ride your horse with no reins and see how much you need to know.

If all you are is a "passenger" on the horse you aren't really riding anyway, no matter what kind of saddle and bridle you use.  

Answer 14

If you plan to do it correctly, it will be as much work as English...equal but different.  Both disciplines require skill and are very rewarding, neither should be underestimated. Neither is superior and I personally enjoy them both.

Answer 15

If you now ride English you could make the transition with out much problem.

The tack is different.

The bits are leverage bits and you do not direct rein you neck rein.

You sit in the saddle and most western riders do not post at the trot but you see some who do.

I ride both depending on what I am doing that day. If I am going out to check fences or move cows or trail ride I ride western if we are training in the arena or jumping or something I ride English.

Neither is better than the other but they both have their place.

I love English as I can tell what the horse is doing under me easier with the smaller saddler with closer contact but it is sort of hard to rope a calf off an Englsih saddle.

Answer 16

I'd say there pretty much the same work wise, neither of them are better than the other. If you are good at English you will at least have good balance...  Western is less strict on posture and hand position though...

You don't post the trot and you neck reign, unlike English which is direct.

The saddle is bigger and heavier and you feel more secure in it when doing speed events like barrel racing. The stuff you can wear for lessons and shows is usually more comfy than English. You also still have to wear a helmet if your in any thing related to 4H Horses or if your under 18 years old.

Edit: Also saddling and tacking up is different too.

Edit: Its probably better that the those answering have actually done both so you can give a better and more accurate opinion then. If you have only ridden Western don't bash English and same with people that have never ridden Western! They both have their strong points and good things it's mostly what you like to do!

Answer 17

In my opinion...

I ride Western. I've only ridden english once for about 30 minutes, amd they're both great.

A western saddle gives you more comfort and support which is why I'm switching to English because I'm outgrowing the comfort (Lol) and I'd like to learn to jump.

There's really nothing to learn except the barrel and pole patterns and stuff but otherwise it's not really that much different than English :)

Hope I helped,

Whitney