English, or western? Which do you prefer?

Question

My grandparents are signing me up for horseback riding lessons. My mom knew about it, and I was talking to her about it in the car. I asked her if it was western or english and she said english. I nearly ripped her head off. I wanted western so bad, cuz english is all proper, and I hate proper XD But which do you think is better, english or western? what are the different pros and cons of each type?

Answer 1

I agree with the above answer. Western is much easier than English...if you're a beginner I sagest you start with Western.



I prefer English! My horse and I do training level Dressage..love it!! and I also do a little bit of xc and hunter/jumper)) :)



I like Western too...but its really hard for me to feel safe in a western saddle. I feel so far away from the horse, I tense up. Its weird.

Answer 2

English, it really is not "proper" it is more about doing everything you can to talk to your horse and have it listen, and some how we just end up looking "proper".



I have ridden english most but I have also ridden western some too. I don't know why but every time I rode western I felt very vulnerable, I know this sounds weird because the western saddle has the horn and every thing. I think it is because when riding western the saddle is more made so you can just sit and enjoy, where as the english saddle you more stand than sit. I feel that I can respond quicker in an english saddle just because of my position in the saddle and the way the saddle is made, I can't feel my horse through a western saddle.



Also think about this, if a horse were to go crazy and start bucking,etc.. would you rather break a rib hitting the horn and then be thrown off or just get thrown off, maybe a little scared but fully okay? I know if you had a bombproof horse this wouldn't really be a problem, but when I was riding western I was on a green horse who got wild sometimes.

Answer 3

Proper? All disciplines of riding are proper when you're serious about it. I've boarded at western barns that were way more "proper" and stricter than a serious dressage barn I was at. You really can't judge based on discipline.



Anyway I don't think either is better than the other. It's just personal preference, even though each style of riding can teach a rider important skills. Really, the pros and cons for each style are going to be different depending on who you ask. I personally believe that starting out english is good for a rider. You have nothing to hang onto, and you're closer to the horse, which will allow you to develop better balance faster than you would if you started out western. You won't rely on the saddle to keep you on (which good western riders don't do, but I've found that many beginners learn to rely on the saddle). The basics for both english and western are the same. If you can ride basic english then you shouldn't have a problem riding basic western, even though you'll still have things to learn about it.



Just be happy you got riding lessons at all. It's not like you're going to be stuck riding english your whole life. Maybe you'll be allowed to try western riding in a few months after you learn the basic-basics.



I prefer english riding because it's comfortable for me, and I love the discipline of dressage. I even go trail riding in a dressage saddle lol. I have a horse who can go both english and western, but I don't ride him western often because I find it uncomfortable.

Answer 4

English isn't actually "proper" at all. I ride english and I have tried western but it just wasn't for me. I would defiantly go with english because you can jump and do more things. I also find english very comfortable and if you fall forward you don't fall on a horn like western. Many people may not think the same, but I find the english tack to look much better than western.



Although, if all the people in your area that have horses ride western, that would defiantly be easier. English would be a much better experience in my opinion, but there are more people that ride western in your area.



I guess you can choose which style you would like to ride based on all of these answers. Hope I've helped.

Answer 5

If you are just starting, then you should probably get an english. But western is much more well fitting, most people say that it's like riding on a couch. It's not... Anyway, in riding you must learn things such as the trot, where you sit up and down. On the english saddle, that is possible. But on the western you are not suppose too. You have to do a sitting trot. So it's better to learn on the english. That's what I did. I don't prefer western anyway...(: Hope that helped.

Answer 6

there may not be a trainer locally that offers lessons



personally i prefer to START off western to develop a seat, THEN transition to english where you can learn the finer points of equitation. My friend and I were taught that way and we're the only people around here that can sit the trot without looking like a rag doll or having to force our horses to collect to compensate for a poor seat.



I think you will enjoy english. It is very diverse and I'm sure there is a discipline you will enjoy. You'd probably love stadium jumping and cross country. They're exciting speed events where nobody really cares (or can mark you down for) your equitation and "properness" as long as you clear the fences and make good time. that being said, good equitation is still essential because how YOU jump WILL affect how your HORSE jumps. poor position on your part can lead to knocked rails, refusals, even trips and falls. but thats where an instructor comes in lol



anyway, good luck! keep an open mind and give it a try. if you are mature about it and you still dont like english, try asking your mom after a few weeks if you can switch.

Answer 7

Hi there Blizzard! I am a Western & Bareback rider myself. But just this about this ok!? since this is a gift. take the advantage of the English Ride & later go into Western Riding & you will find your true calling! Why care what anyone else thinks? You are allowed to your own opinion. So just learn the English for now & you just might be spotted one day to be the one Gal with all the Natural ability to ride in the Pros's as a English/Jumper or Western/Cross-Country! Go for it! Happy New Year!

Answer 8

I ride western because it is comfortable and I just ride for fun. How ever in english you have more contact with the horse so it's easier to feel what the horse is doing and to communicate better. Western has a horn in case you get scared although that's not it's original purpose while in english you only have a pommel. In western you come out with your stirrups down in english you have to put your irons up then let them down once your ready to ride. In western you use a saddle and a pad. In english you use a saddle a pad and often times various cushion things that I can't remember their names to make the seat lay level. Western tends to have simple bridles while english various from simple to more complex. Although western has some more complex ones as well. Western is all about skill and comfort while english is about looks and perfection. Oh and posting a trot is way easier in an english saddle. You normally don't post western but some instructors have you post regardless like mine does.

Answer 9

I prefer English.



The main reason being the saddles. I have never found a western saddle that was comfortable, and I can't lift them.



I have nothing against the disciplines, though. I think barrel racing, pole bending, and reining sound amazingly fun and I would love to try them. Jumping and Dressage will always be my passion though<3



Now, English riding really isn't that fancy if you aren't showing! You can go ride in jeans and a T-shirt if you want, although the inside seam of jeans make it kind of uncomfortable. You can still laugh and joke in English riding, you don't have to go have tea and crumpets afterwards :P I honestly think you will love it and if you can ride well English, it will be much easier to pick up Western :)

Answer 10

There are many different forms of events within english riding. Yes, dressage and show jumping are considered those "proper" forms of the discipline. Then you look at eventing, endurance, polo, horse ball, even horse racing. They are all english and, well, they aren't what I would call prim and proper. I ride english. I love it. I have ridden both western and english for a number of years in both and stuck with english because of the versatility of the discipline. If you enjoy going fast around barrels and the glamor of western, do what you love. If you want to go sky high over a jump or even compete in a three day event, consider english.

Answer 11

I've ridden both all my life and really have no preference. In my opinion english is not really "proper". It all depends on the barn you ride at. Yes some english barns are full of rich kids who are super snobby but I've seen just as many western barns like that as well. Some believe it's easier to start out riding western because there is more security in the saddle. I honestly love both, give it a try and if you really hate it just try a different barn. Remember in the beginning the basics will be the same. (heels down, sit up strait, quiet hands, and so on) In both disciplines, it might seem like there are dumb rules about riding but there are reasons as to why we practice them. For example your instructor will tell you to sit up strait and keep your chin up. It might seem like it's not important and it's just to look nice but in reality you need to have good posture to keep you and your horse in balance. Just make sure you have a trainer that will explain why the way she wants you to ride is important. I would get as much exposure as you can so you'll be a well rounded rider. Best of luck!

Answer 12

I've ridden both, but I personally prefer to ride English. I feel much more like I'm doing something productive rather than just sitting there going around in circles. (Now may be a good time to throw in that I jump?) I tried jumping in a Western saddle once, never again. I got stabbed in the stomach with the saddle horn and then it went forward kind of under my rib cage and tugged down..fun stuff. Nobody was hurt though, so no big deal.



Anyway, I prefer posting to sitting. It makes me feel more comfortable and like the horse is more comfortable. I love the smaller saddle, it lets you feel closer to your horse and you don't have anything to stab you if you jump, your horse rears, or he bucks and your fall forward. You have shorter stirrups which, in my opinion, allow for better control. I have ridiculously long legs so my heel is usually under or level with the horses barrel in a normal saddle, I'd look like a giant with my leg straight (Western OR dressage). I cannot stand riding with one hand..at all. The other one just lays there limp doing nothing productive.. I like direct reining (contact with the horse's mouth) much better than neck reining (horse knows when to turn when reins hit his neck a certain way). Don't get me wrong, on a good horse I can drop them altogether and ride off my legs I just really dislike neck reining..



English really isn't very 'proper', we just have tighter pants and different show clothes. Really, if you look at a WP class, people have their hair and nails done, make up on, eye-burning glitter all over their clothes, etc. Sure, they look more relaxed but in my opinion the horses' strides look painful. I like big horses who step out.



Just because your moms friends horses are trained Western and you're being trained English doesn't mean you can't ride them, it's just a matter of asking their owner how they want the horse ridden and such.



So differences:

English:

Smaller saddle

Shorter stirrups

Direct reining

Should be forward moving

You can jump

Breeches, a polo, tall boots, and a helmet as show attire.

Usually post to the trot



Western:

Bigger saddle with saddle horn.

Longer stirrups

Usually neck reining

Can be forward moving (Barrel or reining horse) or can be slow and dead-as-doornails (WP horse)

You shouldn't jump, or at least not very high.

Jeans, chaps, a fancy long sleeved shirt, boots, and a cowboy hat as show attire.

Usually sit the trot, though you may post. I don't think Western riders ever do 2-point.



Be glad your mum is taking you to lessons! Lol

Answer 13

Well I ride english dressage and love it. I used to event which was brilliant as well! I've never tried western but the fundamentals are the same. One pro to engish is you can jump.



Plus I agree with pickled pigs feet. Most people would rip an arm off at the chance of lessons, count yourself lucky and stop giving you mum such a hard time.

Answer 14

I prefer English. Western is too....casual/cowboy for me, and the horses are too small and I don't really like stock breeds (I can appreciate a quality one but I'd never want one).



It's more comfortable for me, I enjoy a tall horse with a large stride (unfortunately my horse is getting up there in age and his stride has shortened and he's a little on the slow side), and I just enjoy jumping and the H/J world.



If you think "English is all proper" why don't you take a look at a WP show ring? They put on makeup, pushup bras, and GET THEIR NAILS DONE to show.



Be glad your mom is getting you lessons at all. You don't even ride, so you don't know if you like English or western better yet.

Answer 15

Well I ride both...depending on what kind of horse you are riding! English to me is much easier because of the tack, it's so light(I'm not that strong it's hard gettin' a heavy western saddle onto a big horse!) But western is really comfortable and great for trail riding. Ask your riding instructor if you could try both and see which one seems more comfortable, easier, etc. Good luck and be safe!(:

Answer 16

you said you nearly ripped her head off. dont be BSing on your own question.



Don't go the easy route with western for your proper training. Go english, learn the fundamentals. Ride it for a good couple of months, absorbing all the information. then change to western if you want to, knowing the skills you got form english. they fall hand in hand together. sure, western is calmer and easier. But english is harder, more challenging and you get to feel the way a horse moves easier, and how to enhance the movements of the horse.

Answer 17

For beginner lessons, I would prefer English. You can learn so much about your seat, hands, body, posting, feel of the horse while posting at the same time. You are working, the horse is moving and you learn the feel and how to become united. You can always switch to Western and learn that discipline. The main thing is always have fun in whatever you are doing. Don't rip anyone's head off in doing it. As Monk says "you can thank me later"

Answer 18

Western is the easyest to start with once you have been riding in westeern for 1 month or 2 you can pobably start englsh. Hope this helped!

Answer 19

There are valuable things to be learned in both disciplines. The fundamentals of both are similar so as far as the basics go you will be learning the same thing. I'm of the opinion that in order to be a well-rounded rider a student should learn both disciplines in the beginning.



Instead of ripping your mom's head off maybe you should thank her for getting you enrolled in a lesson program, paying for your lessons and making the commitment to get you there. You sound like a spoiled ungrateful little brat that doesn't deserve lessons.



Edit: Ripping your mom's head off wasn't necessary either.

Answer 20

Well English is more for dressage. I love western, because I don't do dressage, I just ride.

Answer 21

western is calmer