Why does this happen????

Question

I have a 5 y.o Appaloosa gelding.

He moves off well and listens to my cues in a western saddle.

But when I ride in english he doesn't listen as well, or moves off as easily. Then when I ride him bareback nothing. He will bearily walk.

Is it because of him being first trained in western that hes use to more weight on him????????

What can I do to have him listen to me????

Answer 1

It might be beacuse the western saddle improves your leg position alot. The english saddle doesn't so much and you have no correct leg position without a saddle. There are lots of exercises to improve this though.

Answer 2

maybe its uncomfortable for you to ride him bare back? Like I know my friends horse don't like to be ridden bareback. It could be that your seat bones are hitting his spine and its uncomfortable it could be that he knows he can get away with not doing it.. tons of things just keeping thinking forward.. By any chace is your horse registered? If so whats his pedigree like? looking for my mares son.. 5 yr old Registered appaloosa i know its a male. not sure gelded not gelded what happend didn't own mare back then.

Answer 3

When you ride English, you most likely are using a different bridle and bit as well.    If he is not responding, you need to push him forward with you seat, and legs.  He'll get the hang of it.   You could also carry a crop; don't use it unless you need to.  You just need to give him a few tips on the English way of going.  Good luck.

Answer 4

Maybehe is not made for english.

Just do western besides western is better

The english people forgot who brought the riding in.

Answer 5

Could be that the close contact overwhelms him....the western saddle limits your contact much more than the english saddle.  Also, your weight is quite a bit more concentrated over a smaller area in an english saddle or bareback than it is in a western saddle, so he may have a sensitive back and be responding to the difference in weight distribution.  Concentrated weight is felt more intensely than weight distributed over a large surface area. He may just need time to get used to it. Just ride bareback or english for awhile.

Answer 6

Could it be that you feel more confident riding western than english or bareback?  

Maybe because of the security you feel in the western saddle makes you more of an assertive rider vs when bareback or an english saddle there is really nothing to hold onto and your aids are not as strong because you feel uncomfortable with the more "open" feeling?

Just food for thought..

Answer 7

I agree with all the answers so far. Sum it up, you may just need to do it more. (you didn't say how often or for how long you have been doing this) Sounds like you have a great partner there, patient, careful, well trained, the kind it takes. I admire him for being careful in any 'new' situation he is presented with. Time in the saddle would be my advice

Answer 8

you will just have to be persistant.

It may well be that you have trained him in a western saddle but im not sure.

Answer 9

hes jjust used to the western saddle to much!