Following on from SS thread... who has tried western riding?

I have, in a small way, I prefer my western saddle for hacking in, it's like sitting in an armchair, I also use it for novices, as the raised pommel and cantle gives them confidence. I don't do the neck reining etc, for me it's a pure comfort thing
 
I tried it when I went to stay with my friend in Missouri... Loved it and it came so naturally, no ideas over here though
 
Following on from the SS thread, which I also commented on....Me. :D

I didn't like it at all though, found it extremely uncomfortable. Extremely. I know the saddle was clearly not the right saddle for me but I was never tempted to have another go. It was just an experience to have.
 
Capriole, I have to agree, a bad saddle is an uncomfortable one. I was the opposite. I had to re-learn how to ride 7 years ago, and I haven't sat on an English saddle since, I love both my western and tereque saddles.

Tankgirl, if you want trainers to have a go, then the W.E.S site will have a list and there may be some in your area. There are other members on here who ride western in the UK, I am sure they will reply sooner or later.
 
I started Western in the UK, and loved it, it felt so natural. Moved to Canada, bought a western horse, was happily trail riding until I fell in with a trainer who converted me back to English. Now I'm going back to western following my fall!
 
Yes, in the US though. I found having nothing in front of me really odd at first, but then I got used to it and really enjoyed it. The saddle wasn't the best, it was rock hard and I didn't feel very supported - luckily I have a balanced seat so I still felt safe.

I would have a go in the UK if I got the chance to ride a trained horse! It's a shame there aren't more riding schools to get people into it.
 
I've done it in America but didn't fair well; I kept forgetting not to take up contact and the horse kept stopping and going backwards. The fact that the chap that took me out was chewing tobacco and regularly spitting put me off quite a lot too.
 
YES! I ride both mine exclusively western, for hacking, fun rides, TREC. Both my saddles are very comfortable, especially as I use sheepskin seatsavers on them. They are also very practical - it's so easy to tie on a coat, or hang on a hoof pick or a rope. I recently did a 25 mile ride without the hint of a sore bum...no, I'd never switch back to english.

The other thing is, the horses love it. Everyone comments at how relaxed my two are. At clinics or shows, the horses just stand relaxed until its their turn to work (and the people are very friendly, supportive and relaxed too).
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Landcruiser said:
YES! I ride both mine exclusively western, for hacking, fun rides, TREC. Both my saddles are very comfortable, especially as I use sheepskin seatsavers on them. They are also very practical - it's so easy to tie on a coat, or hang on a hoof pick or a rope. I recently did a 25 mile ride without the hint of a sore bum...no, I'd never switch back to english.

The other thing is, the horses love it. Everyone comments at how relaxed my two are. At clinics or shows, the horses just stand relaxed until its their turn to work (and the people are very friendly, supportive and relaxed too).
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Me too, exactly. It all started when people kept asking me if I was riding western because I was always on a loose rein and I would answer "no, I'm just a slob"
But I got into the real thing and now both my horses are exclusively western, I would never ride for more than 30 minutes on an English saddle and that's party because my knees are shot from doing endurance on a Welsh Cob ( trot, trot, trot...at 12mph...).
I have learned from reading and watching and from doing clinics with real cowboys who visited the UK. I'm not sure about some of the 'western riding' schools, many of them seem to only teach show stuff which isn't real riding at all.
 
My son just got a stock saddle for sasha, it's amazing how more secure his seat is and his polox game improved, he wanted one after western trail riding in one in Florida early on this year, he nagged that much I gave in. Just look at his face grinning after first match in it!!
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I've done it several times in Canada, I really enjoyed it. Had really well trained horses which was good. Happily rode for several hours, neck reined, did roll backs straight into gallops across sand dunes. ;)

I would love to do it more, I'd like to do barrel racing and games. I tried a little bit of games in an Australian stock saddle while on an Aussie farm but the surface wasn't great so couldn't do it properly.

I think if I were to do more of it I'd do it in America or Canada, just for the authenticity. I'm thinking of spending some time out there working on a ranch or something if I can.

My sister has already told me when I get horses of my own I have to get her a western trained palomino!
 
pansymouse said:
I kept forgetting not to take up contact and the horse kept stopping and going backwards. The fact that the chap that took me out was chewing tobacco and regularly spitting put me off quite a lot too.
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I actually got shot out of the front door on one occasion when I first got Robin because of that! Cantering along quite happily then I took a bit of contact to slow down, said 'whoooooaa" as you do and she stopped, dead, "Hello ground! What the hell happened there?" I once put too much leg on and we were spinning like a top before I knew it, I was sat there (Ok, kind of clinging on :o ) thinking "Eeek! How do I stop?" Fortunately "Ho" (not whoa) is a cure- all for everything, for my horses it means stop what you are doing, NOW, and stand still.

Ha, the tobacco thing, it is like that here too :) Quite disconcerting before you get used to it.
 
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I had something similar, asking for a sharp turn on polo pony, nearly span me off. (hadn't ridden one before, wasn't expecting that :p)
 
If you go to Oakridge Quarter Horses near Newark they have some cracking lessons horses - I know because two of them were until recently mine :) That's if you want the experience of riding a fully trained Western horse - they have 3 which are reining-trained and one pleasure-trained and the arena is fabulous.
 
Have tried Side saddle but never western but that is soon to change - am going to book a lesson for my mum and I as her birthday present, not sure who is looking forward to it more!
 
There is a very thriving Western Riding culture in the UK. WES is probably the largest and best known society, there is probably a branch near you!

I did a ranch riding holiday in the USA and the first day I was wondering if I was going to like it, but you have to learn to let the saddle and the horse do the work, not the rider. When you get used to the slightly different way of riding it is fine. There was a group of ladies just leaving when I arrived and they all said the same, it is different, not difficult.

I have done a bit of western riding and it is true that the horses seem to like it - not being interferred with all the time I suppose. When you say "go" they are supposed to stay at that pace until you say "stop" so no nagging. Have fun.
 
Hen said:
If you go to Oakridge Quarter Horses near Newark they have some cracking lessons horses - I know because two of them were until recently mine :) That's if you want the experience of riding a fully trained Western horse - they have 3 which are reining-trained and one pleasure-trained and the arena is fabulous.
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My sisters husband started western lessons with Lee at oakrige in october and absolutely loves it, he goes once a fortnight and learnt on ebby, piccolo and cali. He loves it that much he has just last week brought a quarter horse on which he is continuing to go for lessons with Lee. Oakridge is a fab place, lovely people, great horses and a great atmosphere. My sis and I ride english but are both tempted to give western a go. Im considering having my youngster trained.
 
Oakridge is fab, also Sovereign Quarter Horses at near March in Cambridgeshire. Tammy Greaves (Burley Villa) in the New Forest does lessons and hacks in western tack. Shane Borland (Borland Quarter Horses) in Warwickshire uses western training to improve confidence and responsiveness in all types of horses - from polo ponies to racehorses and dressage horses and he also has a schoolmaster horse. A lot of the training and principles can help any horse or rider - it's not all about games or showing. I can't imagine why anyone would want to hack out in an English saddle !
Going for a ranch holiday is a very different experience - not many places are that interested in really teaching beginners except the basics to make them safe; the saddles and horses are very variable. But it's the best way to see some amazing scenery and to appreciate how agile and surefooted the horses are.
The WES championships takes place at Moreton Morrell in Warwickshire on 22-24th August - it's free for spectators and well worth going to watch ALL types of horses and riders enjoying western.
 
Haven't done any of the proper disciplines, BUT with my old boy I switched to hacking in western gear on my farrier's recommendation (he competed and had several excellent horses). Was a bit unusual at first compared to riding English, but incredibly comfortable. My boy became a lot more relaxed and responsive. Works great for hacking. The seat gives the added benefit of feeling a little less at risk of coming off if your horse spooks, and it is a lot less straining on longer hacks. Was never really a problem to switch back and forth between that and English though (for us both, that is). To those who have the chance to give it a try; don't be afraid to do so! I still have my old saddle even though I don't have horses anymore. Was simply too comfortable to part with! Hoping I can use it sometime in the future. :-)
 
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