Should a first timer do english or western riding?

Question

im signing up tomorrow!!!!

i need to know and im 4'3"!!!!

also i can choose pony, thoroughbred or quarter horse.

Answer 1

go western.learn the trade and hopefully you will be good enough to come back to ride in British or Irish racing at least you will have more race riding experience.good luck.

Answer 2

I would definitely start with English because of the level of discipline that you need to have and it shows the proper techniques to ride so then you will be able to move onto western and go from there see which one you are more comfortable in.

Answer 3

Go with the quarter horse, and ride English huntseat. I know it sounds weird but your trainer will know what I' m talking about!  Remember to have fun!!!!

Answer 4

I would have to say do english first...b/c in western you have a horn on the front of your saddle that can help you keep your balance. In english , there is no horn and you learn the correct balance through your own body positioning,and have nothing to depend on except for yourself. Then, after you have gotten your balance, you can switch from english to western no problem! however, it it much harder for a person who rides western to switch to english b/c many people depend on the horn for balance...its a proven fact. =]

P.S. since this is your first time, I would not chose a thoroughbred. They can get high strung at times. I would go for a quarter horse. They are usually mild mannered, and are usually dependable.  =]

hope this helps!

Answer 5

I would definitely say western. The western style is much easier for beginners and will give you a chance to get to know what it's like to be on a horse before you move on to something more advanced. With english riding, you have to post, which is difficult for some who are expert riders. (Posting in when you move your body up and down in tune with the horses movements. You must have very strong leg muscles!)

Although 4'3" is short, I wouldn't recommend a pony. Most (not all) tend to be stubborn and quick tempered. Thoroughbred horses are nice, but I would choose the Quarter horse. They are very easy going and an excellent choice for beginners!

Good luck!

Answer 6

English!!! I ride English and LOVE it! You get to learn jumping. So if you choose english I would definatly advise you to choose a Thoroughbred. Good Luck ;D hope you have fun!

Answer 7

English is harder, so for a beginner I would suggest western. In english you have to stay in rhythm with the horse, post on the right diagonal, canter on the correct lead. Western is more relaxed, no posting, no diagonals. I would start on a pony if you chose english, just because I find them really comfortable and it riding on a pony helped me build my seat. Whatever you chose, hope you have fun. Happy riding.

Answer 8

western it is easier and helps develop balance

and a quarter horse very dependable!I have ridden western for a long time and I barrel race and cut and rein also even goat tie so yea i know. But i also rode english for a while and i believe it is much harder. Although you are not very tall neither am I but i would not recommenda pony defianetly a quarter horse

Answer 9

first, if possible, you should ride both discipines. They both have good things to offer and can complement the other once learned.

second, you shouldn't pick your horse until you've met him/her. They each have their own personalities and tempraments and you need to find the animal that best matches your own.

Both discilines are very differnt but both very fun to ride. I started out western...The saddle horn mentally relaxed me knowing that i'd have something to grab onto if i fell off. The large and long sturrups are comfortable and relaxed. You neck rein the horse, which means instead of pulling the reins to steer you lay them on the neck and the horse turns. There are quite a few different sports that you can do while riding western.

I learned to ride english a few years ago...it requires very close communication with your horse. You use your body completley, mentally and physically. I was scared to death of posting (lifting up in the saddle with the horse's rythym when he/she trots) but it was more natural than i expected. You use your abs and thighs but it's not hard to do The reins and sturrups are shorter and help you feel more in contol/tune with the horse. It's a great work out if you want to lse weight or tone up! You use every body part to speak to the horse. It's a very mental discipline.

I like riding both and reccommend both to everyone. Riding bareback is fun too. Once you have your balance that is!

But have fun learning!

Answer 10

heres the thing. western is more relaxing and easier. but if you want to become a good rider, i suggest english because it helps you develop your seat better, and not develop any bad habits. I would choose the Thoroughbred or QH. QH is good for english and western, but the TB is great for english.

Answer 11

i'm guessing western.   i think english is the one where you have to kind of squat midair on the horse and bounce in rhythm with the horse.. NOT easy!!  i think that's what it is at least...

then again it's been over 10 years since i've been on a horse, and that was just on vacation, so hopefully someone else can give you a little more direction

Answer 12

you wouldnt have any problem riding a pony and if its your first time you might feel better on some thing closer to the ground!!  

you cant really compare engish style and western style riding in forms of which is easiest. both can be easy to pick up for a naturally balanced rider and both can be very tricky when you are going into different disciplines.  it really depends on what your goals are.  

you might find it more secure to be in a bigger western saddle what will help hold you in place and the cantal for holding onto . talk to the person bringing you tomorrow they will be albe to judge it best.

Answer 13

do what you want....

what type of riding are you going to want to do???

here's some western events:

barrel racing

pole bending

calf roping

team roping

reining

cutting

western pleasure

trail riding classes

here's some english events:

jumping

cross country

hunter under saddle

dressage

(and that's all I can think of for english....sorry I cant think of anymore....I only ride western.)

why not do both????

EDIT-- and  just to let you other answerers know......western isnt necassirly easier......but if you've ever ridden a barrel horse around barrels, roped a calf, did reining, cutting, and western pleasure (which is very hard and you have to be patient)....but if you have done all of those then yes you can say western is easier....but if you havent then keep your mouth shut because so far every english rider that has been on my barrel horse has fallen off because they cant stay on