Very few western riders on this site?

Question

I have noticed that there are very few western riders here, about 80% seems to be english and the other 20% western.

After looking at yall's videos i think i kinda wanna give english a try, it looks really fun.

I have 4 horses right now and 2 of them have an english build and the other 2 are seriously not the english type--TWH and a well built QH

What are some things i need to take in to consideration?

if you were going to ride one of these english which would you chose?

Jared--8yr 15.2hd mix breed gelding::

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn302/JessyMcC13/animals015.jpg

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn302/JessyMcC13/newcamera114.jpg

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn302/JessyMcC13/newcamera115.jpg

he is kinda fat right now, cause he is only green broke and we havnt really had time to finish him so he needs some work

here's the other horse

Dakota-- 12yr 14.3 hd Reg. Paint gelding:::

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn302/JessyMcC13/newcamera005.jpg

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn302/JessyMcC13/newcamera052.jpg

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn302/JessyMcC13/newcamera105.jpg

he is kinda sway back and thin, but i think after he puts on some weight then he will look really good

Answer 1

I'd have to say I'd go with the chubby bay.

He has a gorgeous head and looks like a great prospect.

Answer 2

Your paint will do fine for the transition, provided you condition him before using the english saddle.  A western saddle distributes your weight over a larger surface area and is considerably more kind to the horse's back.  His back is very hollow now, and needs strengthening through developing collection.  I would begin riding him long and low, and studying exercises aimed at impulsion, engagement of the hindquarter, rounding of his back, lifting of his fore, and ultimate collection.  this could take 4 months before you see his abdominal and haunch muscles develop, and his topline even out and fill in.  Once you see this development, I would make the switch to an english saddle.  He will be ready for it and handle it so much better if you condition him first.

Answer 3

ok and your point is???

i ride western personaly i hate english riding i have done it and hate it.

Answer 4

okay so whats your question?

i ride western

why is there mud and p**p in the second ones stall!?!?!?!

if that is your horse,then you dont deserve horses!

Answer 5

That is a Beautiful Paint! I ride both Western and English. I think he would look great on Both!

Dakota is the Horse I would choose!

Answer 6

I ride western and endurance, but the horse with the more "english" build is the paint.

EDIT

I dont see p**p or mud in the second horses stall... I see dirt and bedding. I dont know what picture the other person is looking at

Answer 7

As I get older, I consider riding English more simply because of the ease of handling tack.

I grew up riding western with a foray into English when I was in high school.  It was very rural where I grew up- we didn't have the availability back then that we have now of going to stables and instructors to learn such things.  The person who taught me what little I learned (and have likely forgotten) was a friend of my aunt's whom I got to visit when I visited my aunt and uncle during the summer an hour + away from home.

I think that perhaps those of us kids who were put on horses in western saddles without prolonged riding instruction probably didn't learn to ride as properly as those who were started in english first.  I have learned that sitting on my rear in a "lay-z-boy" saddle isn't the ride way to ride.  A proper rider uses their spine, balances on their pelvic bones and uses their inner leg muscles to balance and cue properly.  I think if I had started out taught this, I'd be a much better rider today and probably in better shape than I am.  It's harder to learn something new like that when you're 40 and out of shape.

Unlike western saddles, many English ones have adjustable gullets and can be adjusted in their cushion where the saddle sits very easily so that one saddle can be adjusted for many different horses over one's life - whereas if you get a different western horse, you may need a different saddle.

I work in a tack store part time for fun and we sell both western and english saddles.  The Tucker saddle is very popular with trail riders and it's interesting to me to understand why people like the things they do.  If they've ridden English, they typically like very slick-fork trees, like the Wade trees because these don't have the wide pommels.  They feel trapped in a high cantled saddle or one with any width to the pommel.

I, on the other hand, have relied on that high seat and wide pommel to hold my rear in and hook my thigh under for balance when needed, so going to an English saddle is tantamount to riding bare-back for me.  I'm considering purchasing a synthetic saddle with rough seat and jockeys to keep my rear stuck to the saddle better - I won't be showing or anything, just looking for ease of handling - that is, once I get my courage up to try it and have a solidly trained horse to start riding english in.



So I would encourage you to learn all you can and try anything you have the courage and opportunity to try.  The English tack is not nearly as costly as the western tack if you purchase a synthetic well made saddle for your needs.  If you decide it's not for you, and you've bought a saddle others will find value in, it won't be hard to get your money out of it.  But in my experience, well made saddles with a wide range of use hold their value well.  For example - purchasing a cheap dressage saddle probably won't get you your money back as well as purchasing a mid-range all purpose saddle with adjustable gullet and adjustable knee rolls such as that offered by Weatherbeeta - the Wintec line.

While there are horses that will excel over others in showing english, I would also suggest to you that any horse can accept riding english - they really don't differentiate types of tack to what's being asked for - the tack is nothing more than a tool to help you stay on and communicate to your horse.

Try a few different kinds of saddles out in tack stores before purchasing.

Good luck - have fun!

Answer 8

I ride western mainly but i do ride english...You can ride any one of those english.  I have well built paints bulldog types i ride english to the taller leaner Thoroughbred.  There are no rules, ride which ever one you wish.

Answer 9

I have never ridden English. I think it is probably too disciplined for me.  My friends and I just trail ride...everywhere..for fun.  And that seems to work for us.  Oh, and an occasional parade.  I also ride bareback(with a pad).  It's just too HOT here to put a saddle on.  Plus we can hop in the lake and not worry about the saddle.

Sorry I know I didn't answer your question.  Good Luck.

You are doing a good job with the paint.  Did you rescue him?

Here's my presumptuous question...Why did you buy another horse if you don't have time for Dakota?

The only reason I responded was because I wanted to respond to the nasty comment made by the other person regarding the stall.

How rude!  Know the facts before throwing out such a harsh comment.

Answer 10

I would use the greenbroke horse. That way you can finish him english without confusing him. See, horses kind of freak whenever something drastically new hapens, so it would be easiest to finsh the green horse english than reteach the paint.

Answer 11

I would choose the paint.