Western riding

I've ridden western a few times and once owned a Quarter horse with the intentions of riding him western! I enjoyed it when i did it and used to attend Aqha and Wes shows. Would take it up again if i had the right horse etc.
 
I did once at a Western place near the New Forest. Went on a lovley hack through the New Forest. I felt very secure in the saddle. But couldn't dismount after the hack as I was so stiff. Sort of slid down the horse
 
Only way now my OH will get on a horse. Cairo is the most comfortable sofa in the world to hack out on - you can't beat a clydesdale in a huge western saddle for comfort.

We only do the basics but it is the most relaxing way of riding and enjoying the view.
 
Yes, have done for years and love it. If you would like to come to a show/clinic to see what we do, visit WES and have a look at the diary dates. If you'd like some more info PM me
 
I rode western for a while whilst I was waiting for my new saddle to be made ( had sold my old saddle to go towards new one) so was saddleless for a while. Place where I have my horse on livery does a lot of western riding. Had a few western lessons which was fun and my horse seemed to enjoy it and it was a change to normal schooling, did loads of bending etc. Nice for hacking out in & v comfy but found the horn got in the way a bit sometimes. Nice for a change but wouldn't want to do it all the time.
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Thanks to you, Andy still rides - what would we have done without your patience. He was giving up until you showed him western.

Cairo is recovering and I hope to be out viewing the country western style in a couple of weeks, albeit only slowly and for a very short time.

If only you were still up in Essex.
 
The horn got in the way of me dis-mounting!I only rode in a western saddle once(that was enough!)
When i went to get off i lent forward and my bra got hooked up on the horn and i didnt realise this until i took both feet out of the stirrups and tried to slide to the ground but couldnt!!I was suspended by my bra!!Something had to give in the end,so my bra ripped in half right up the middle!!Needless to say that was my first and last attempt at western riding.I dont think its for me!!!
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Hi Theresa & Andy, not forgetting Cairo of course ... why thank you , it was a pleasure to teach you both. Give the "Big Man" (that's Cairo not Andy!) a kiss from me. Next time I'm in your neck of the woods I'll pay you a visit.
 
We have a western riding place near us; I went about 4 times while my horse was lame; However although relaxing ( the horses are highly trained) I got very bored! no spooking, no jumping about, no cantering when they weren't asked
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I found the saddles uncomfortable, and you don't get that feeling of the horses' movement underneath you( IMO) I seized up after two hours cos my legs had been in the same position.
Not for everyone, but my friend goes every week and loves it. But then she doesn't own her own horse.
 
I rode my uncles Western horse. My OH would ride for hours that way too. Couldn't even get him to do a really short hack with me in an English saddle. I did find it hard to get used to at the start as it was a bit of a different position etc than English riding, but I did enjoy it and loved learning to rope cows etc as well!
 
Hey, does anyone know much about the mendip stud? I'm going to be the president of my university's riding society next year and was thinking of taking everyone on one of thier 2hr demonstration evenings as a first activity so everyone is on a level playingfield and to encourage people to come on special events. This is what it says:

2-hour demonstration evenings
● Available upon request for groups of 6 or more. Includes an introduction to the different types of western competition
horses and their training needs. A tea and coffee break followed by the opportunity to sit on one of our lesson horses
and have a go yourself.
● Evening demonstration is £15 per head with at least 6 participants.
● Price concessions for parties of over 10 available.

Sounds good doesnt it?
 
Well there is a very good trainer in Cheshire so I am lucky there.Also thought I might ask if Ican go and watch her teach first. Have a Highland. Both of us would be total novices. Like the lok of the trail classes.
 
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The horn got in the way of me dis-mounting!I only rode in a western saddle once(that was enough!)
When i went to get off i lent forward and my bra got hooked up on the horn and i didnt realise this until i took both feet out of the stirrups and tried to slide to the ground but couldnt!!I was suspended by my bra!!Something had to give in the end,so my bra ripped in half right up the middle!!Needless to say that was my first and last attempt at western riding.I dont think its for me!!!
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grin.gif
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You know you can get western saddles without the horn
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Is there such a thing as a stock saddle. I did see a piccy that a HHo had put on here which was lovely. I know this may be a really dim question but are there Western saddle fitters. I don't really know enough about the saddles to be happy to put one on my 17hh boy. I just though they came in 3 sizes and was really heavy.

The funniest thing I have seen was when my OH got on a horse with a western saddle and the cinch wasn't done up properly and he ended up under the belly of the horse.
 
Yes there are Western saddle fitters, I'd strongly advise anyone considering buying a western saddle to go to one of these suppliers or attend one of the big shows where they will have their trade stands. Ebay is OK if you know what you are looking at and the vendor can supply you with the relavant information, otherwise steer well clear. The majority of stuff on there really isn't worth having and can actually harm your horse.
Western saddles come in more than three sizes and even more styles depending on which discipline you follow and how deep your pockets happen to be. They also come in different weights,which is important if you have a tall horse and a dodgy back.
Oh yes, and it's not true that you can't fall off a western saddle, I've proved that a few times.
 
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