Do you prefer English or Western, and why?

Question

I think I may have been in an English saddle once but I don't remember. I have always ridden Western and I love it because it strikes me as being so casual and relaxed. English riders, maybe you could give me a glimpse into what English riding is like as opposed to Western? For all I know I might try it and find that it suits me! ;) And Western riders, why do YOU go Western?

Have a great day, and thank you!

Answer 1

I prefer English. I have ridden and shown both English and western and English is the discipline I chose to stick with for many reasons. The #1 reason is the saddle. There is just too much saddle to a western saddle. I like the streamlined simplicity of the English saddle. English saddles, because of their size and design, are lighter and therefore easier to store and transport, have less surface area to clean, and are cheaper on average than western show saddles. I love the freedom of movement that English saddles allow. I like to be able to get out of the saddle for two-point or lean forward to avoid a low-hanging branch without impaling myself on a horn. I also do not like the way western fenders are stiff and twist my knees and ankles. I am always sore after prolonged periods in a western saddle.



The second reason is that I love to jump. It's tough to do that in a western saddle. When I'm not jumping, I like the pace of a hunter. Western pleasure horses are just too slow. I understand that western pleasure riders are trying to move away from the peanut roller style, but it's still not gone. My horses have never been slow and easy enough to place well in a western class and I'm okay with that. Though I don't like to go painfully slow, I'm not a speed demon, so gaming isn't my thing either. I like the happy medium that can be found in hunters.



My 3rd reason for preferring English is the clothing. Western show outfits are great because they are colourful and unique, but that is also their downfall. If I rip a hole in my breeches, I get a new pair off the consignment rack for next to no cost. They're all tan, so it doesn't matter which pair I choose, as long as they fit. If I break the zipper on my colour-coordinated chaps, I have to pay to have them repaired, spend a pretty penny to replace them with new ones of the same colour, or settle for the only colour off the consignment rack that fits even though it doesn't quite match my top or saddle pad. Also, western in-hand classes require a separate, expensive, colour-coordinated outfit. English in-hand classes are fine if exhibitors wear their riding outfit or just khakis and a polo. I admit it is more fun to play with the colours of western outfits and accessories, but it is more costly as not everything you're looking for can easily be bought off the consignment rack. I also hated wearing chaps when I showed western pleasure. They are so restrictive and uncomfortable. My breeches and English boots are so soft and supple it's like wearing pajamas.



I would also like to point out that just because a rider rides English does not mean they are formal or stuck up. Everyone at my barn rides in jeans and t-shirts for practice (regardless of discipline). We are not afraid to get dirty, or relax and have a good time either.



Add: A lot of people are saying that western is cheaper, but if you go to a site like stateline tack or another tack store that sells both western and English tack of similar quality, you will find that western saddles have slightly higher price tags. The best selling tall hunt boots are cheaper than the best selling western boots and so on. If you put together best selling tack and outfits for both disciplines here's what it comes out to...



English: breeches $25 + boots $63 + show shirt $22 + coat $60 + bridle (includes bit) $28 + all purpose saddle $397 + saddle pad $14 + girth $27 + show helmet $50 = $686



Western: jeans $43 + boots $70 +show chaps $60 + show shirt $100 + hat $54 + headstall $19 + bit $20 + show saddle $1900 + saddle pad $25 + cinch $17 = $2,300



Western gives the illusion of being cheaper because it is a more casual style. To me, it's like buying the designer jeans with the holes in them. They look casual and cheap, but they're not any cheaper than those other designer jeans without the holes. Obviously, both disciplines can be a lot cheaper if you don't plan to show, but if you plan to show, be prepared to spend some money, regardless of your discipline.

Answer 2

I like english because i like the look and i think it is more fun. I think the riding cloths are kinda cute:) and i like jumping. I think it is a bit more exciting then western. If you want to do a specific western discipline like cutting, barrel racing, or reining then you would have to go to a barn or ranch that specializes in that while in english part of being an english rider is being able to go over small cross rails. once you can do the basics then you can choose a specific discipline and almost any english barn with a good instructor will be able to start you off in the discipline you want to do and if you do get serious about it then you can find a barn that specializes in it which can really make you great at it.



i think some of the best riders are the ones that do both disciplines, even if they only rode english a couple times they at least understand it and they understand the basics of it and the same goes for english riders who try western.

Answer 3

I do both, however english maybe 90% of the time, western 10% of the time. I prefer English to western because its faster paced, and as a person with an over attention to detail and very impatient English suits me very well. However if I'm going out on the trails, I prefer western because if something happens I have more security, I also prefer it for gaming and barrel racing (obviously). but my favorite thing about English is jumping, I'm only doing 3-4 jump courses right now amd its reaaaly hard x.x I enjoy the challenge though :3

Answer 4

I ride western because that is what my mare is trained to do. But I like to ride English on my friend's lease horse, who can do both but can't jump or go fast.



I'd love to learn to jump and even teach my horse a bit of it. But I also love barrel racing; What a rush!



English is based on respect of the rider and makes me feel very prestigious. Western is based a lot on, trust the rider, I know those cows are scary but the rider will get you through.



English, can be very serious, as can western, but both can still be very relaxing. I would by all means suggest trying both! Just because you do one doesn't mean you can't do the other.

Answer 5

I started english so younge I didnt have a choice or know there was a choice. Know that I am older and the proud owner of a western/english trained QH I might give western a try. It looks so fun and relaxed like you said. To be honest, I think I have been to lazy to get myself/horse some western tack. But, I will soon.

Answer 6

Although I ride English, I've had my fair share of Western experience and agree with you that the peace and simplicity of being with your horse and enjoying nature is something a really enjoy! Truthfully, the main reason I ride English is because the only barns in my area are all English and only offer English lessons and so that's what I've grown up knowing. If there were Western barns near me... Who knows? Maybe I would switch.

Answer 7

Simple, english gives me a closer contact with the horse. I can feel the movement better underneath me. Plus, you can move in an english saddle, and you can jump. Western is like sitting on a big couch on a horse, it's harder to feel them move under me and get a close contact with my legs.



*English is by no means rigid. Quite the opposite, it forces you to move with the horse even more, or just get out of their way. English requires more skill because a good english rider keeps their upper body still and straight and legs still against their horse, but allows for their hips to move with the horse. A western saddle you simply sit back into and let your entire body get swayed by the movement. English is more refined than that.

Answer 8

I have ridden both and chose western, why? Because it's cheaper! English tack just seems to be so much more! Haha I like western more because it is more relaxed, trail riding and roping are so fun! but when it comes to showing western pleasure can be pretty specific and isn't so relaxed anymore! It really depends on what you do, but English and western are more alike than people realize!

Answer 9

I'm definitely a western, rodeo type person. i rode at summer camps western and when i started taking lessons they were english. i was little and it was to much for me and the trainers sucked. I moved to a western place with a great trainer and I've gotten quite good over the years. western riding is relaxed, which is just the feeling i need when i need to get away from life. i tack up a good trail horse and head out for a few hours. i love barrel racing too! its so fast and gives me a rush.



i taught myself english, so no I'm not good at it, but i like jumping :) english riding just isn't really my thing.

Answer 10

I prefer English all the way, because it suits me better. I LOVE jumping - the higher the better - and I enjoy Jumpers the best. I could never ride Western, just because they don't jump. English is fairly proper, and it's very detailed. I feel more elegant and...proper, for lack of a better word. I'm just so thrilled every time I jump. "Horses lend us the wings we lack" and there is no better way to express that than jumping. It's so detailed, but yet it's so exhilarating. Jumpers is even better. You have to memorize a complicated course (ugh - I'm masterful at forgetting courses), and the turns are tight and quick. Your horse leaves the ground, and you're already looking for the next jump. There's so much to remember, all in a few seconds. Step in, open the inside rein - not too far! - and support with the outside rein, look at the fence, keep the horse straight, hold him up with the inside leg, hold him straight with the outside leg, don't let him sag, don't let him drift, get centered, weight in the heels, look up, elbows in, wrists straight, get prepared to leave the ground, chin up, lean forward, release(!), look where I'm going next, give the cues to turn even tighter. (sorry you had to read all that(: ) I have to cram all of that and more into my thoughts in the space of about 1 second - literally. Rollback, u-turn, v-turn, broken lines, slice, s-turn, whatever. It's so complicated and difficult, but I love the challenge, the thrill, the excitement. It gets my adrenaline going. The only things that exist are me, my horse and the course, and we're in a hurry. Then you go back for the jump-off, which is even faster and more intense. I just love everything about the craziness about it. I have a 17 hand jumper that's even more enthusiastic about it than I am. When Jack hears the whistle, there's nothing I can do to stop him from cantering off. He gets locked into this mode where it's like his life depends on him getting around the course flawlessly. Every turn loses more and more distance, and he gets cantering as fast as the turns permit him to. He jumps everything with perfect form, and can't touch a rail. He knows his job, and he does it. His mood is so infectious, too.

I guess that English is my thing because of Jumpers...it just gets my heart pumping and my blood flowing. I love every second that I'm on course, thinking a step ahead...but not too far, because I'll forget the course or something. It's all so balanced, and if you break that balance, you're dead.

Answer 11

For me, Ive always ridden western! because i barrel race/ rope at rodeos ect :), but i also do showing,, and i love western and ive been in a english saddle once before aswell, i just like the feeling of western better! because im used to it, and thats how ive always been :)

Answer 12

Ive'd ridden Western all my life,but i'd love to try English.

I read alot of the answers on here saying they like English because of the jumping,but you can jump in Western to!Ive'd never tried it, but it's not that common... I just rode bareback for the first time 2 days ago,and it was amazing!<3

Answer 13

I prefer English. It is fast and fun. Western is more relaxing and slow. It's good for cooling down and hanging out maybe even in a romantic situation. English is exciting though. But I would have to say it is much harder. You have to use all of your lower body strength when posting. It makes you strong though. It's like a work out but doing it in disguise. It is very fun. You should try it out.

Answer 14

Well i'm pretty sure i have only ridden english once. i prefer western all the way! western seems more casual to me and english seems serious. also i am more of a country type person and of course western is country, english reminds me of showing. also a good advatage to western is when you have a spooked/bucking horse, you got the horn to hold onto to stay on!

Answer 15

Western:.

Its safer (Horn to hold on to)

Good for beginners that can't trot (again, the horn)

And, the horn is good to rest the reins on



Of course, i do not hate English, it is lighter on the horse, and less difficult to assemble. But i usually ride western. Espechilly while jumping.

Answer 16

My main reason is we don't have many western events over here(maybe 4 a year)



but i enjoy english because of the smooth and gracefulness of doing dressage or going over a full course of cross country jumps. It gives the horse something to think about and is harder than you think.

With dressage it takes years to prefect and when you master two time changes or even a flying change its the best feeling.

Answer 17

English... I know I will be in the minority here. I enjoy jumping horses, I enjoy the fashion, I enjoy having two hands, and I am a very formal, rigid, and particular person and so the relaxed style of western riding bothers me.

Answer 18

I love both of them. Western is fun because its slower and relaxing. But English is fun because it gives you more of a rush. I think english is more physically demanding but western can be too.



Theres no harm in trying somehting new. Go for it! (:

Answer 19

I'm an English girl.



I have nothing against Western. I actually quite enjoy it when I don't have to ride a horse that insists on trying to graze and slamming my stomach into the saddle horn, and I'd really like to get a Western saddle for trail rides when I have my own horse. It's nice for long distances.



That aside, I just love English. My aunt and uncle used to breed and train horses for the local hunter-jumper community, and they were fairly popular. They bred Haflinger-Thoroughbred crosses who were good hardy little horses that jumped well and were just good, versatile horses, and they also bred pure Haflingers and Thoroughbreds as well, and they ran their local Pony Club.



I grew up going out to their farm at least once a month. They used to let us ride around on the ponies- never fast, I never jumped, but I rode a lot when I was younger. I used to follow my cousin (Who's thirteen years older than I am) around while she groomed and cleaned tack and fed the horses. I was terrified of the horses up until I was three because they were so much bigger than me, but I loved them nonetheless. One of my favorite memories from my time out at their farm was sitting on the back of my cousin's mare while she led her down to the stream to splash around with us.



I started begging my parents for a pony when I was three. When I was oh, four or five, we went to watch my cousin compete in a local hunter-jumper show for Pony Club, and I was immediately hooked. I wanted to learn to fly like she did, and I started begging my parents, and it took them three years to give in and let me start taking lessons.



That's really why I love English. Western has its advantages, but when I'm riding English, when I'm jumping or galloping a cross country course (Which is my absolute favorite event ever, cross country is just incredible), I feel like I'm flying, and I love it.



English isn't more rigid than Western in any sense. It's different, but it's not harder, or easier, or anything. It's just different. There are some riders who are in it to earn the ribbons, but I'm not one of them. I'm in it to be with horses, and if I get a few ribbons along the way, then I'm definitely okay with that, but I ride because I love it, not because I want a wall covered in blues. I like showing, it's fun and I enjoy it, but you can be a backyard English rider just like you can be a backyard Western one (I'm not saying I am, I do take my riding seriously, but not to an extreme).



And trust me, I've done everything you can do in an English saddle. I've galloped at racetracks, jumped, barrel raced extremely slowly, gone on six-hour trail rides, fake jousted with a friend, played polo with brooms, all sorts of things. It's so versatile, I've had so much fun with it, and I'd never trade an English saddle for a Western one. I'll take flying any day.



EDIT: And while you *can* jump in a Western saddle, it's not advised because there's something called a saddle horn which gets majorly in the way.

Answer 20

I ride both but prfer english why i like to jump

Answer 21

Neither.i dont ride :) but I can do anything with them from the ground