WOW! Going Western riding in the USA, any tips? (not a ranch holiday)

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Crazydancer

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I'm so excited! I have a business trip to the USA coming up, and have some free time at the weekend. So I've done a bit of research, and found what sounds like a lovely place, and booked on a 2 hour ride that goes through a nature reserve and onto a beach, and will be riding Western. The people I spoke to there sound so friendly and helpful, and I'm really looking forward to it. :):):)
But I forgot to ask what to wear, I will have room in my suitcase to take a few extra things, but obviously don't want to take full riding gear! So any ideas? Is a shoe/boot with a heel necessary, and chaps? Not sure what would be best for a Western saddle, can anyone advise please? Could I get away with trainers and jeans??
I will be taking my hat.... it's a lightweight vented one, and I feel naked on a horse without it!! :o
 
We went on a similar sounding ride in Florida & loved it!! Didn't take any riding gear - just wore jeans, t-shirt & trainers, they don't wear hats although I did make my then 9yr old daughter wear one. It's great fun & saw loads of turtles & stuff!! It was very hot & the horses weren't allowed to 'run' (gallop) but we had a great canter through loads of woodlands (& I can barely ride!!) Enjoy it!!! xx
 
I just did the same in Hawaii last week. Nice trail ride on the beach!

Western riding tends to be less 'fussy' than classical. Often on tourist rides, there is no riding 'skills' required. Trail rides where one horse follows the next. Helmets are nearly unheard of as its all cowboy hats or ball caps. I wore jeans and trainers, and borrowed a helmet from the stables for my ride but was the only rider wearing one.

Western riding often seems more about the trail, scenery and company than the riding or the sport.

Hope that helps!
 
Jeans are perfect - after all that is what they were designed for. Trainers are no safer than they are with an English saddle and some barns will let you wear them and some won't - where I used to ride we were expected to wear jeans and cowboy boots. We wore stetsons for competitions (helmets weren't allowed for competition but you could wear them for training if you wanted).
You don't need chaps unless you are riding through really rough country and in that case I would expect then barn will have them to lend out so I wouldn't worry about it.
Steering is easy - horses follow neck reining so you hold the reins in one hand and move that hand to the side you want to turn to. They stop when you say 'woah'. Generally I found the horses that I rode in the States to be incredibly well-schooled and responsive - you're going to have a brilliant time!
 
Let the saddle do the work, sit with you bum right at the back. Jeans should be OK, particularly if you have the ones with no inside seams.

As for hats, you may need a helmet for your insurance, and some US riders use them, even for Western.

Have fun!
 
Jeans are ideal but most places will have Chaps ( pronounced 'shaps') or chinks you can borrow .

I would be inclined to bring a boot or shoe with a heel or riding trainer , maybe something that will double up for sightseeing or a cowboy boot you can wear normally with jeans . They will usually have boots to borrow but ugh... I'd rather bring my own. I bring my Troxel hat along too as I just feel safer with it .

Depending on where you are going it may be cold so layers and gloves .

Have a super time and let us know how you got on .
 
LOL!
Thanks everyone, I'm going to take a pair of boots just in case, I should have room, along with the spangly shirt and stetson :p
Weather should be nicely warm, heading to San Francisco and the place is just an hour north of there, so will be around 22 deg. Definately makes up for the 11 hours sat on a plane..... :( and the week I will be away from my 2 horses...... :(
 
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