Western vs. English?

Question

What is better!

I LOVE Western... but I know a lot of people like english!!!

I have never sat on an english saddle!!!

Answer 1

i like western better, but i think that english is sometimes amazing looking esp when they are jumping and doing dressage

Answer 2

I really comes down to what kind of riding you are doing and which saddle would be best.

For jumping and dressage, the English saddle would be best...no saddle horn to hit your ribs on.

For barrel racing and roping, a western saddle would be best.

For trail riding (which is what I do), you can use either one. I ride English, while my step-daughter rides western.

I like the English saddle because I have ridden some really big horses and it is light-weight so I can lift it onto the back of even the tallest horse.  I also like English because it shows off more of the horse.  English riding will also improve your balance since there is nothing to hold onto.

Western saddles are great for carrying saddle bags on trail rides and are nice when going up steep hills (you can hold onto the horn is need be).

Hope this helps!

Answer 3

Neither - it is a matter of preference.

I prefer western

Answer 4

what ever your better or comfortable with. don't give in to peer presser. just because you know people like English doesn't mean you have to unless you like English.

Answer 5

I've never taken western as serious as my english riding, but I'm sure at some point they're both equal. They both offer riding, but at some point to equal levels.

Answer 6

believe me western just may be a little harder on your "bottom" but when the horse stops you DOn'T have to brace your self

the English is usually made with softer leather but has no saddle horn so you have to brace yourself when the horse stops

Answer 7

Try English! I love Western too, but it's even better to switch it up between the two disciplines.

I ride both, but used to only ride Western. I'm glad I started English, though, because I find my skills have improved greatly. I think accustomizing yourself to both styles is a great way to 'round out' your skills and has really helped me in all aspects of my riding.

Answer 8

Depend on what you want to do. I have barrel raced and done pole bending western. I have aslo done Hunter/Jumper, eventing, and all the 4-H games in an english saddle. The last one would have probably been easir western. I trail ride with both. Each discipline has its own pros and cons. Trying to barrel race in an english saddle: not a bright idea. Same with jumping in a western one.

Western Events for the most part seem to show off the horses raw power/ability. Galloping, turning and stoping faster than most english horses have thought to go. The home stretch of barrel racing is amazing to ride.

English Events for the most part seem to take the horses power and work it into something. I think cross country is so popular because it is the one event where you GO. There is a lot more to it besides that but there is nothing like the feeling of galloping towards a big solid fence and soaring perfectly over it.

Answer 9

i like english better... i find i always have to push myself to have a better position or seat or hands... and the challenge is always fun

but it would be nice to be able to throw on a western saddle and just relax and enjoy myself

Answer 10

In my opinion.... you shouldnt judge on what people say! It is whatever you like more. If you enjoy western just keep doing western! Although, it is always good to try new things! I do english and I am  a hunter Jumper. I LOVE english just as you probably love Western! I dont think I would change to western just because I have grown to love it! I think it depends on what type of person you are...but go ahead, give it a try! I hope I helped :)

Answer 11

I like western, dont get me wrong

but I love english more!!

Answer 12

I love English. Mainly that's because (mostly) everyone in my area of NY rides English, plus I love jumping. I have rode Western about 3 times, but I did a lesson with 2 of my cousins and my brother (and for 1 or 2 times my dad) all trying to figure out how to hold the reins, steer, etc. Hehehehe you should have seen us. However I want to try Western and get OK at it. I'm great at English and it would take quite a buck to get me out of the saddle. I only got bucked off once, but I was jumping and still in a 2 point (so mid-jump) and then the horse bucked. So my weight was shifted forward,...and you get the point. In Western though I would have slid right off had he started jogging...lol. I've heard that English is harder than Western because in Western the saddle contours around you, the gaits are a tad slower, and there isn't as much of a balance element. That's just what I've heard though.

***ETA***Bracing yourself? IDK if that's a guy thing (you know what I'm talking about :P ) but in English you don't "brace yourself". You move with the horse. Canter/walk is the hardest transition, but you just have to stick your butt to the saddle and deal with the bumpiness for 10 seconds. Sitting the trot helps alot with that, because you learn to absorb the bumpiness so it doesn't hurt while your transtioning. Also if it helps you can do a 2 point during the transition. http://www.dkimages.com/discover/preview...

Answer 13

I preferred an English saddle, back when I was riding, as it is easier to feel which way the horse is going to move next.. you are much more connected to your horse.  Plus I loved to jump, and that just isn't a good idea in a western saddle.. bad for your horses back, and for your belly!

What it comes down to is that they each have their uses.  If your purpose is just enjoying your horse, and having a laid back ride, or cutting, barrel racing, roping or other ranch activities, then Western is right for you.

If you want to jump, ride dressage, race or show east of the Mississippi, you might be better off learning English.

Lots of people do both.  The most important thing is to love your horse, and spend time with him.

Answer 14

i#ve never ridden western but i have to say i have never 'braced' myself when the horse stops u learn to ridre and you don't need to do this well unless mad canter to complete stop

i would love to try western apparently it's really comfetable

i say you can't judge unlesss you have been riding both for 15 so years equal amount don't grow up in a society using one or the other and are quite good at riding to really compare :)

Answer 15

Well pearsonally I think wester is way better then english....I have been riding western for my whole life now...It has way more speed then english.....When I was 8 I asked my dad if I can do english he said sure but your going to hate it...so I tried for 2 months...He was right after 8 years of doing western I could not stand english.....I said to my dad I would rather be running barrels and poles then Jumping poles.......Stay with western I love it and I do barrel racing and pole bending and I am going to the NFR in december.

Answer 16

I love English riding and jumping, but Western is more relaxed. It all comes down to personal preference. You should try both and see what you like best, or just DO both!

Answer 17

Personally i love english. There is many many more things to do english(jumping,trotting not jogging, cantering not loping...etc...)

BUt when it comes to a bad horse and he tries to take off, alot of people say western is good for that because you have somethinng to hold onto. BUt your supposed to be holding onto REINS to try and stop your horse, not just sit there and hold on for dear life,Oh and if you but a good kind of saddle(beval,pessoa,etc...) there pretty comfortable, much more comfy than a western saddle, and put it this way, you learn to ride better while riding english. you need better balance...

so ride ENGLISH!!!

Answer 18

i use to ride english and show and stuff but then when i got my new horse i started riding western...now i run barrels and do pole bending with him and that's like the 2 most popular western riding styles.........but western is fun and so is english but i think that i like western a whole lot better thn english

Answer 19

Trust me on this one. I am 13 and I continue to live on the dairy farm which I lived on since I was born. I had a horse since I was born, and I continue to ride the 2 quarterhorses down on our farm. The Western is my favorite, but I ride both. The western has a hard seat which is easier to control/brace yourself. And it is also easier to stop. And the English saddle is okay, but you have to really brace yourself so incase you r horse ever stops immediately you don't fall off. It happened to me while slowing down to the end of my gallop. The good part is that it isn't as hard seated.

If you ever need anymore help or if you have any more questions contact me at "[e-mail]"

Answer 20

I like English a lot better.  I've never really ridden Western, but I've always loved English.  I like how 'sophisticated' it is - the apparel for shows, the tack design, etc.  I don't know much about western but from what I do know, I'll definetly stick to English.  But I do natural horsemanship and don't compete.