Western riding 'kinder' than English?

[tankgirl1]

Yes, I've seen this too - someone who literally chucked an incredibly heavy western saddle on their little horse and said they were riding Western because they 'didn't have the confidence to ride in an English saddle.' Then went on to slouch around in the saddle with no hat because 'cowboys never fall off.'

I would love to ride western but at 75kg on a 14hh cob I think the saddle would be too heavy. I compromise with a synthetic GP saddle, a western headstall, and a french link snaffle. Always ride on a loose rein and never try and force my mare into an outline. She if very responsive to voice and gentle leg aids, but we can't seem to get to grips with neck reining very well. We only ever hack (complete with ALL the hi viz and a hat mind haha!)

 

[eahotson]

Tried western. love to do a bit of trail.Very very hard to get a decent instructor to be honest.Clinics are a money spinner, far too many horses/rider in at one go.No instructor no matter how capable/concientious stands a chance of teaching anyone anything useful in those circumstances.Far too many want you to spend ages chasing your horse around on a long rope.Mostly I think, so your horse is knackered before you start to ride it.No other explanation seemed to be offered.I am horrified though, at the instructor who states that her riders are talentless so she just takes their money.We all have different levels must most are capable of improvement and perhaps those people have just had talentless instructors.