Western Riding

[nuttynugget]

I am seriously considering trying out western riding.. has anyone tried it with their horses?

Im stuck in a bit of a rut with my horse as I can't find anything to suit us both anymore!! We used to show jump, now I'm too much of a wimp after a break and don't really want to. Same with cross-country.. he is too much of a wimp for that. Dressage, don't even go there. I get bored after 20mins schooling.

I was talking to someone who does western lessons and I'm seriously tempted. I was wondering if anyone else had experience such as this? I'm worried my horse won't adjust to it and perhaps just need more information

 

[unbalanced]

I learnt to ride western in the states when I was at university there and when I came back and my pony came back from loan I got her a western saddle and bridle. She neck reins and pivots and will go in a curb (actually she will go bridleless, so it doesn't really matter what you stick in her mouth) but I haven't taught her any advanced manoeuvres such as spins or slide stops because at 21 I think they aren't really the best things for her joints and she already has spavins.
It makes a nice change for us - she is easily intelligent enough to cope with the switch and we do western some days, bridleless some days, dressage some days and jumping others. She particularly likes herding cows.

 

[PerlinoPlank]

My best friend has ridden in western all her life (it does help that her mum breeds AQHs!). Growing up, I was round there every weekend so did a fair bit of western riding, and have competed their horses too.

I love it, so I'd say def give it a try =) if you just want to go for a plod there's not much difference to english, or if you want to get fancy there's loads to work on: reining, sliding stops, barrel racing, trail courses....

Now I've bought one of her mum's yongsters I will see what see thinks of western once she's broken in and brought on in english.

 

[burtie]

It doesn't need to be one or the other my horse does western, dressage and jumping, he really took to the western saddle for hacking and really loves the relaxed style but is more than happy to pick up the contact and do the jumping and Dressage too!

Western:

Dressage:

jumping:

 

[Enfys]

I ride all my horses western.

Lots of info here

http://www.westernriding.org/starting.html

http://www.wes-uk.com/

Any horse/pony can be ridden western. It is growing in popularity in the UK, and there are plenty of stockists for tack and kit around now as well. Some areas are better serviced for Instructors/clubs than others.