Did some western riding today!

[burtie]

My regular hacking partner and I swapped horses on the way home, her horse is a canadian QH (palamino!), and is ridden in full western tack, but using a rope halter thingy with a rope looped around neck. Anyway I'm quite a laid back english style rider so hope'd I wouldn't encounter any issues. Once I managed to negotiate my way into the saddle and get to grips with holding a big piece of think rope for reins it was great. I can certainly see how you can ride like ths all day!

I won't say I'm converted as I still find it all a bit arm-chairish and for some strange reason I rather like my perched on top of flimsy little saddle (by comparison), but it was great fun to try something different, especially on such a well trained boy

 

[GinGin]

Sounds like fun. I've ridden western style in Australia and really enjoyed it. I feel the same as you in that I don't know that I could ride like it all the time, I suppose I am a bit old school and like my Englishness! lol

 

[Wildspirit]

I like both depends how lazy i feel

 

[Ezme]

Me, my coachwoman and another groom are going to go for a lesson. I do like how most of the horses look so relaxed in complex movements but i do want to like the rider up the arse when they do that rubbish canter with the horses nose on the floor

 

[itsme123]

I actually prefer western riding to English riding, and would urge anyone to have a go. I have very very little nerve but was quite happy riding western. One handed, no contact on the bit.... the horses are so well mannered and safe.

 

[Blackhawk]

I used to ride western and english when I lived in the States. There's a lot to be said for western riding.