The basics of riding western?

Question

what are the basics for riding western? how to teach a horse to neck rein? how to actually neck rein? i am taking up western and i think i might completely ditch english altogether. what do you recommend?would i need a western bridle or could i just change the bit?

Answer 1

To teach your horse to neck rein, if you have a plain snaffle (no shanks) stay with it. The heavier the reins you use, the better...I use 1" wide,  thick leather reins. First be sure your horse can be turned on leg cues and weight shift in both directions.  Then you begin training to neck rein.  Use a direct rein wide out with your arm's length guiding your turn as you lay the other rein across the opposite side of the horse's neck. This is done in combination with strong outside leg and weight cues, and at a walk.  Periodically release the guiding rein, keeping the neck rein in place while cueing with your legs and weight...bring back the guiding rein if and when it is needed. Always do this exercise for equal amounts of time in both directions.  When the horse is responding consistently, begin actual one-handed neck reining on loose reins...if there's a problem, go back to two hands.

Your next step can be one of two things...either advanced work at the walk (backing, pivots, etc), or working at the trot to develop the jog on a loose neck rein.  I've done it both ways and it doesn't seem to matter which comes first.

I guess that's enough to get you started.  Good luck.

Answer 2

To neck rein I began by lying the opposite rein across my horses neck while continuing to direct rein with the other. For example to turn LEFT I will lye the RIGHT rein across my horses neck while pulling/guiding with the LEFT rein. So you will continue to ride with two hands for a while, this took several weeks until you can reduce the amount of pull with the direct rein and apply more pressure with the neck rein. The horse should be learning to turn away from the pressure of the rein against his/her neck, you should eventually be able to lightly touch his/her neck with the rein to cue to turn. Remember to use your legs as well they are very important. Practice zig zaging across the arena, use cones and weave through them you do not need to change your bit right away because you will be continuing to direct rein while introducing the neck reining.   Hope this helps....

Answer 3

Parts of a saddle:

http://www.western-saddle-guide.com/sadd...

as for neck reining... ideally, you want to buy a bridal set that matches your saddle (try a curb bit.. it really depends on what your horse is comfortable with.. my arab likes his simple snaffle so that's what i keep on him - for team penning and showing). It's fairly easy to learn simple neck reining techniques...

http://www.lgrice.com/articles/d-jan99.h...

hope the links helped :)

Answer 4

Good for you wanting to read & educate yourself! Like a true horse person!! There is really a lot to read. I have been riding western for 31yrs & there is always something to learn. Which is a good thing! Here are some sites for you to read & educate yourself. If you have questions or anything you can  E-mail me. Hope these help!!!!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_rid...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_sad...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neck_rein

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_ple...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reining

http://www.equiworld.net/uk/sports/weste...

http://www.equiworld.net/uk/sports/weste...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equestriani...

http://www.equisearch.com/horses_riding_...