Any western riders?

[Spudlet]

I quite fancy a little go at this, minus the dodgy shirts, stetsons and boots mind you (although plus the hunky cowboy, should one become available). There is a yeard fairly nearby that does lessons, I could afford to go once a month (I think - they have no prices on their website so basing this assessment on what I used to pay!), get a little horsey fix. If you can already ride English-style, would you be able to pick up the basics fairly easily?

Since I can only go once a month, there seems no point in normal lessons, which I find boring anyway and I'm not going to be able to improve significantly on the things I need to work on, so having a go at something new and fun seems like a sensible way to me. They might even do western-style hacks, I could go and look for something to round up Like a cowboy or two

 

[jinglejoys]

http://westernforum.proboards.com/index.cgi
Somebody here might know

 

[ironhorse]

Depends where you are and thus the quality of the lessons and the schoolmaster horses (if you say where you are in the country I will have a fair idea )
It IS very different and you have to be prepared to listen to your instructor and trust the horse - it's quite a change if you are used to riding on a contact, and you will need to be a lot looser in your knee and thigh. Hence the need for a good horse and instructor!
I would also say that if they are not prepared for you to ride in hard hat, then walk away - it's all very well going hatless when you've done a bit more, but not as a beginner.
Once you've got the principles, you can 'practice' on your own horse to an extent, even in an English saddle. You may find that it also helps your horse's way of going....
You might find it a bit slow to start with - again if the instructor has you galloping about and 'yeehaing' in the first lesson, you're in the wrong place! It is vital to get the basics right.
To be comfortable, you'd be best wearing straight legged jeans (check the inner seam is flat) and jod boots rather than jods and half chaps.
I hope you enjoy it - it's great fun. Even if you don't want to go the stetson route, riding a horse that will stop from a gallop on a loose rein, open gates with ease and move backwards and sideways as well as it does forwards is brilliant!

 

[Hedwards]

I went and had a single one off lesson with Dave Deptford with a couple of friends - we have a list of horsey things we want to try this year (Polo is next!).

Sadly no hunky cowboys (no offence to anyone that works there!), but was great fun, I actually didnt find the transition from english to western that difficult, it did feel like sitting further back than i am used to, but the horses were so responsive. My friends didnt enjoy it quite as much as me, they are both what i would describe as 'slightly nervous' riders, and couldnt quite put the legs and hands together quick enough to keep up with how responsive the horses were. I accidentally did a sliding stop (not far though) by lifting the reins slightly too high while cantering! and the rein back, turns etc were unbelievable - so was the 'lateral' work. The oddest thing is how slow the 'jog' was.

Sure you'll love it, definitely something i'd like to do again!

Oh and we went in completely normal riding gear - my breeches, half chaps and riding 'trainers' & normal skull cap!

 

[ironhorse]

I went and had a single one off lesson with Dave Deptford with a couple of friends -Sadly no hunky cowboys (no offence to anyone that works there!),


ROFLMAO
Will tell David his diet has worked too well!

Can't say any of the reiners have set my heart fluttering (probably a good job as I am married to a fellow western rider!) but the horses are so adorable they more than make up for it!

 

[Hedwards]

haha Ironhorse - They were all very lovely (is it too late to dig myself out of this hole?) however most there were women (Not the way i swing) and David is maybe a little more mature than i would normally go for... although he did say I had a 'cute seat' (much to the amusement of my friends) - closest thing I've had to a compliment from a man for a while!

 

[Spudlet]

I'm on the Norfolk/Suffolk border. Don't have a horse, I would just like a bit of a fix once a month and thought this sounded fun.

 

[Chavhorse]

I agree with Iron Horse, as an ex Dressage Diva turned Western Rider it is not a simple transition. I had a real struggle learning not to "Over Ride" especially on my Trainers very very light ex competition horse! Took me a long time to like the feeling of absolutely nothing in my hands.

My instructor had me working on walk, whoa, backup and steering for weeks! only when that was in had did we even attempt the jog and eventually the lope.

But to be going in jog with one hand on the reins and one hand resting on your thigh, when looking in the direction you want to go is enough to turn your horse and when stopping is merely a case of saying "whoa" sitting your butt down and lowering your hand, which then turns into a lovely smooth back-up that needs only the merest leg pressure from you it is flaming addictive and I will admit I am truly hooked.

Go try and enjoy!

 

[Spudlet]

It does sound like fun. And I'm quite keen on letting the reins go to the buckle out and about anyway, never been much of a dressage diva tbh (always being yelled at for not having enough contact!)