Western Riders: Quick head count out of curiousity!

[Witchy]

So how many of you ride western/ride in a western saddle?

Where do you you buy your gear from? I need to get a new off-billet strap and Cinch for example - where would you buy your spares/replacements?

Got my western saddle last Friday and love it. Have ridden western previously but have been trying to shoe-horn myself into the english way, its ok in a dressage but feel more secure in the ole western saddle

Look forward to your responses and stories

 

[SVMel]

I have access to western saddles, but mostly ride english. I love the western, but tend to use it as play time, and do all my working rides and schooling etc english. My son rides the shetty in a western and doesn't have anything else, so only rides english when I take him out on one of my mares, led from the other which I ride.

Not had anything break yet, so don't know where you would get replacement stuff from, but my local tack shop does leather work and repairs on site, and are also good at making new stuff replicating anything broken, so that's probably what I'd do. Other than the new girth we got from Robinsons, as the string one that had been in use for about 10 years inexplicably started rubbing the old boy badly. Have been through 4 different types now, and all rub, except for a 2 inch wide leather strap we tied the saddle on with, just to try it out of desperation!!!! Need to find a proper way to anchor it now lol!!!

ETA think it's just down to the old boy getting older and softer!!!

 

[Thelwell_Girl]

I ride Western whenever I can in the New Forest, on a very hansome gelding called Spot (The Appy in my sig)

 

[yellowdun]

yep, we ride western. Tend to get some gear from the AQHA shows (blankets, cinches and occasionally bridles) and have stockpiled other stuff when on holiday in the US. We find it straightforward to buy western gear from the US or Germany.

I got my last cinch- professional choice- from Borland Quarter Horses.

I find it a nice way of riding and love the technicalities of western riding ( as oppose to just hacking in western tack- which is also comfy and safe!)as it appeals to the side of me that liked dressage.

 

[fizzer]

I ride in a specialised western trail saddle sometimes, am in process of learning to ride western as have just purchased a Quarter horse foal.

 

[Chavhorse]

My Story is a little different as finding a Western Trainer saved my horse.

Having bought a horse with fantastic potential as a 3 year old my intention was he was going to be my last competition horse (Dressage) and I wanted to over time get him competing through the levels with a goal of making it into the Z level classes over time, as he progressed and matured.

All that was put paid to when he injured himself in a casting accident when he was off being backed, the prognosis was he would never make a competition horse, in fact my very straight talking vet said if I really wanted to compete at anything higher than walk and trot (if I was lucky) to have this horse shot and spend the insurance money on another one.

Of course by now I had spent months nursing him and getting him better so this was a no go area I was also concerned that Selling him on could lead him to end up in a home where someone would push him too far and injure him further, and companion horse was not in the mix for the same reason.

Now I am very competitive and love any form of competition so I needed to find something that both horse and I could do together competition wise i.e. something he could manage that was not going to bore me to death.....

After a strange encounter at a show (long and boring story) I was introduced to Jan who is a Western Trainer and Rider and after bending his ear about "love my horse but love competing and basically he is only up to very basic work and meh" he suggested that how about me and my lad learnt a whole new discipline where both of us were rank beginners.

Long story short Nevada has been in training with Jan since March and is now a fully backed, and fully converted western horse (and loving it and is showing some real talent) and me the old dressge Diva (of over 20 years standing!) is now learning a complete new set of skills and is loving it but more importantly finding it hard and stimulating, Yello Dun I totally agree about the technical side of Western Riding, I am ashamed to say I thought it was all holding the reins in one hand and shouting yahoo. How wrong I was....My next technical feat is to learn to ride my horse in a shank bit.

We should be competition ready for next season and Jan sees no reason why we should not be able to climb our way up the ranks....looking at doing trail & Western horsemanship.

The biggest joke is that the level my horse has been trained at Western style and the flexibility he has gained means that I could in all honestly enter him in an M level Dressage competition and score well....fact is I no longer want to as I am loving Western.

For me thinking out of the box worked and I have managed to turn the situation around to one that works for the horse and also for me.

Thanks to that chance meeting it was no longer a "problem" but case of "ok life has handed me lemons....best make lemonade"

Also I have to say that Western riders are the nicest bunch of people I have ever met, I have had nothing but help, advice and support from them.

As for tack.....we have a wonderful lady called Eveline who brings a huge van choc full of equipment to the yard and we also have the joy of "Hanks Western Store" who has a sale every christmas......

Sorry I have written a novel.....

Nevada Who should have been a Dressage Diva but Makes a Pretty good Cowboy Horse

And my OH having his first Riding lesson on Vardi last weekend

 

[LazyS]

So how many of you ride western/ride in a western saddle?

Where do you you buy your gear from? I need to get a new off-billet strap and Cinch for example - where would you buy your spares/replacements?

Got my western saddle last Friday and love it. Have ridden western previously but have been trying to shoe-horn myself into the english way, its ok in a dressage but feel more secure in the ole western saddle

Look forward to your responses and stories

Yippee other western riders!!!! I ride both my two western having decided about 8 years ago that I was fed up with English. I bought a western saddle for my irish draught x spotted gelding. Got the saddle home didn't know how to put it on - what the hell - did it anyway - saddle and me promptly ended up under the horse! Learnt a bit since then!
As regards equipment - go to the newsagents and buy yourself WESTERN HORSE UK - it is now available on the shelf (I have seen it) - mine of information. The lady with spare bits and pieces is Janet at the Western Department. She is near Aylesbury, Bucks. You should be able to find her on the net - if you have a problem PM me. I have her phone number at work (during the day). I got a Montana saddle for my quarter horse off ebay (I knew the size would fit him as I had borrowed one from someone that was the same model). Anyway it had never been used and had nasty nylon cinch straps etc. They had to go straight away and I got on the phone to Janet and she sorted me out with the pukka stuff.
Both my boys are on my profile. I have a quarter horse gelding and an appaloosa stallion to ride at the moment. I also have a yearling son of my stallion and he will be ridden western too.
Don't know if you are a member of the Western Equestrian Society (WES), they are a great encouragement whether or not you have western horses or other types that you ride western. They have a useful website. Google Western Equestrian Society. Good luck and have fun.
Just to add if there is anyone in Winchester area that would like to ride out (western) I would love someone to come out hacking with me - I can't ride two at the same time.
Horses kept close to South Downs Way. PM me.

 

[Enfys]

So how many of you ride western/ride in a western saddle? I do

Where do you you buy your gear from? Local tack store about 15 minutes away. http://www.pleasantridge.ca/ I need to get a new off-billet strap and Cinch for example - where would you buy your spares/replacements?

Are any of these any good for you? I would expect them all to mail order:

westernscene-uk.com
trekkerswestern.co.uk
www.westerntackstore.co.uk
www.westerntack.ca


All my horses are western trained, I decided it was easier for me to learn to speak their language than to try to teach them mine.

 

[jinglejoys]

I do western style on my mules.Malaga has a Bob Marshal Edurance and Picasso has a Rebecca Softride.I get most of my stuff of American sites as IF you can find a Western Supplier they usually sell only a small range of heavy western fancy leather stuff that I couldn't likt let aloe get up on my mule...and I hate leather anyway!

 

[flirtygerty]

Lovely tale keep up the good work, mine is more mundane, I love the thought of western riding, Have a saddle that I love using on hacks and I am hoping for a western bridle from Colorado when my daughter returns from holiday next week, my lad cottons on quick to kneck reining but I would love to find someone local to do it properly

 

[ironhorse]

Yeah, both my OH and I ride western. We've just bought our second quarter horse - we're going to breed from our mare next year so baby will eventually make three!
OH had his first lesson from Bob Mayhew about 12 years ago and has never ridden English since!
I still ride English altho it's not easy to get an English saddle to fit a QH properly - our mare MUCH prefers her western tack. I also feel safer on a western saddle for hacking out or if she is feeling a little tricky!
We have got very into the showing, mainly because it's so friendly and sociable whether at WES level or at AQHA shows - a real contrast to when I used to do dressage and show at county level!
As far as tack is concerned, Shane Borland is now an agent for all the profs choice stuff, which is expensive but excellent quality (www.zulucowboy.co.uk)
The western department www.westerntackstore.co.uk and western scene are good for bits and pieces. A also buy a lot of stuff from ebay, but you really have to know your products and go for good brands - Continental, classic equine, professionals choice are among the best. I would be unlikely to touch a saddle from ebay with a barge pole unless I knew the seller.
For anyone who fancies getting into western, I would massively recommend joining WES or going along to one of the clinics or shows - the WES champs (August) and Hartpury (July) are two of the best. You will get a friendly welcome and people will always be happy to answer questions.

 

[perfect11s]

So how many of you ride western/ride in a western saddle?

Where do you you buy your gear from? I need to get a new off-billet strap and Cinch for example - where would you buy your spares/replacements?

Got my western saddle last Friday and love it. Have ridden western previously but have been trying to shoe-horn myself into the english way, its ok in a dressage but feel more secure in the ole western saddle

Look forward to your responses and stories

Hands up another western rider with QHs... cambridgeshire are you near March as that is where a lot of the big shows are you should be able to get something this weekend its the AQHA breed show and there will be a few tack sellers www.sovereignquarterhorses.com

 

[Rhandir]

Me too, I ride western all the time.

 

[fluffalina]

Hey! More western riders here in Essex - changed from English to western about 15 yrs ago - love it, and the people are great too. If you are in Cambs you are lucky - Sovereign QH's are in March - the Breed Show starts this Friday until Sunday and they'll have trade stands plus Sovereign saddlery and Rhinestone Clothing.

 

[Chavhorse]

Blimey we are heading for a sub-forum here or at the very least a "Western Riding it's a lot more than cows and country music " clique;-)))))

 

[LazyS]

Ironhorse said "I would be unlikely to touch a saddle from ebay with a barge pole unless I knew the seller."

I was very lucky with the Montana saddle I got from Ebay. They have reference numbers and this one had the same number as the one I was borrowing (which had been fitted by The Western Saddler in Ringwood). I also asked her advice and she said it would be fine and it has been great. I had a Continental saddle made to measure for my appy stallion - as he is short coupled (or as judges prefer to class it 'compact') - and I have to say the Montana is more comfortable for long rides. I have done my homework and had the best advice going - would highly recommend Maria - if you are lucky enough to live in this area.

 

[Enfys]

Blimey we are heading for a sub-forum here or at the very least a "Western Riding it's a lot more than cows and country music " clique;-)))))

,
... but, but ...






















I like country music

 

[vonno]

Another one here! Haven't ridden english for about 16 years, just love western riding and Quarter Horses. Most of my tack I get from the US, though I do buy a few bits in the UK, mainly from Hooves:
http://www.westernsaddles.uk.com/

P.S. Enfys, I like country music as well

 

[perfect11s]

,
... but, but ...






















I like country music

Nothing wrong with that......

 

[Chavhorse]

,
... but, but ...






















I like country music

LOL.....I do too (even though my YO's penchant for Billy Ray Cyrus at full blast over the entire yard has done its best to put me off.....had me singing Achey Breaky Heart for flaming weeks!)

Its more the general reaction of non western riders, when I said I was moving to a Western Yard my nick name at work became Dolly and it was constant cracks about Ye hah and Tammy Winette. My OH's work colleagues told him he better start riding or would be heading for a D.I.V.O.R.C.E ha bloody ha

Maybe its just something we have to learn to live with or we could just start a vicious rumour that Dressage Riders only listen to Wagners Ring Cycle?

 

[Witchy]

Woohooo surf the cowboy crowd!! This is fantastic, I never knew there were so many of us. Thanks for all your stories, links and tips, what a superb response!!

I agree!! There would be a sub-category for us western people

 

[Witchy]

So do you all ride with full chaps and cowboys boots??
Oh, riding hat or cowboy hat??!!

 

[Rhandir]

Chaps and Ariat boots plus hard hat at home hacking and schooling, I only wear a Stetson in the show ring depending on how green/well trained my horse is at the time. In WES classes hard hats are optional for adults, compulsory for young riders.

 

[Enfys]

So do you all ride with full chaps and cowboys boots??
Oh, riding hat or cowboy hat??!!

Jeans, usually put cowboy boots on, or whatever happen to be loitering in the tackroom, Dublins, Dubarrys etc. Can't seem to find my chaps anywhere.

In the depths of winter I look like this! Not a pretty sight, but warm.

 

[Witchy]

LOL well at the end of the day if you're riding and warm who gives a monkeys what you look like!

 

[Witchy]

WOW they are B E A uuuuuuutiful horses!!

 

[Chavhorse]

WOW they are B E A uuuuuuutiful horses!!

Awww thanks I think he is pretty beautiful as well but he does get called the "spotty Arsed Circus Horse" on occasion

Oh and we all ride in Jeans and Cowboy boots here;-)

 

[Enfys]

LOL well at the end of the day if you're riding and warm who gives a monkeys what you look like!

Absolutely I rarely see anyone else when I'm out anyway, and we all look the same in winter, 3 layers, plus quilted coveralls and big boots. Not terribly flexible with that lot on though, I try not to have to get off when I'm out because even on a 14 hander floundering about in 2' of snow is a bit of a handicap!

Who competes then? What in?

I haven't got around to actually competing yet, but I did play around penning with my Paint until she was in foal. Well, I basically just sat there and hung on, she did it all by herself.

 

[davisn]

Yep. OH & me both ride western.

All started when OH wanted a new horse & was looking at 17hh plus IDs. I got a bit worried as I exercise the horses during the week (only 5'2'') & after viewing several that were far from suitable we decided that maybe a quarter horse might be an option. I already had an appaloosa mare, so when a QH x App gelding came up for sale we went & had a look.

Because of OH's size & geldings back length we ended up with a western saddle for him. Booked a clinic with Bruce Lawrence so we could get the basics & the rest is history.

Got OH's saddle sent over from america after having a fitting done to get the right tree shape/size etc, picked up the saddle pads, cinches & bridles from a WES show, my Crates ladies saddle came from a supplier in Yorkshire who we met at a show.

 

[Jazzelle29]

Yup...ridden western for 6yrs now..have an appaloosa Mare. Listen to country music (the more modern stuff) every day and even drive a pickup truck!

http://www.deepwatertack.co.uk/ is superb for nice quality western tack...they also repair western saddles etc too.

I wish more folk would see western as a viable alternative to scaring themselves silly trying to jump or do dressage..here in the UK all breeds and types are accepted into the Western Equestrian Society.