Comment

Comment by Shirley on May 27, 2009 at 1:54am

I am a western rider and it seems to me that the western saddle is a little safer. There is much more leather around you to help keep you from sliding off in a spook. I have heard many people say that once a person has learned to ride english it's easy to switch to western but it's very difficult to switch from Western to English/Dressage. I do like to ride using my legs for direction and I really don't like pulling on the reins like most do in dressage. . If you can, take a couple lessons of each and see which feels better to you. Some coaches do teach both and at the training barn I boarded at many people did both. Personally, I think it is really important in either disipline to learn to ride using your seat to direct your horse. If someone isn't teaching you how to do this, I'd suggest you find a new coach. If you have seen someone riding with no bridle or reins, they are directing the horse with their seat. I so want that kind of communication and cooperation with my horse. I don't want to be reeking on their mouth and kicking on their sides. You might find it beneficial also to go to a couple of local horse shows and see which gets you excited to watch. I'm not suggesting you need to show. That is a personal decision.
It is good to see the diffences. Pay special attention to how they use the reins tight or loose. One other consideration....western saddles are much much heavier then English

Comment by Eileen on May 26, 2009 at 9:38pm

Although I am self taught and ride western, I think that either English or Western will teach basic balance. It would be up to you to decide which you want to stick with. There is no reason why you can't do both, take the English, the switch over to western. That way you can make an educated decision on which way you want to go.

Comment by Heather Sansom at Equifitt.com on May 26, 2009 at 9:32pm

Hi, I have to say that if you are riding Western-- keep it up. I do posture analysis all the time in my clinics, and I've noticed that riders who started Western, and then switched to English often have a much easier time with getting a deeper seat for sitting trot, and also with using your seat and leg aids, rather than relying on hands. Because you cannot grip the horse's mouth in Western disciplines (or should not, don't need to), you learn to ride with your seat, which is very good for balance, and for having lighter hands should you wish to pick up the reins for contact in some other discipline. As for lessons, find the best teacher you can, for the money you have, even if it means taking lessons less often. then find a knowledgeable friend who's willing to help you out in between by going riding with you, or for a returned favour. I personally stick with either Western (natural horse type or reining) coaches, or else Olympic disciplines (jumping, Eventing, dressage) for coaching. When we're older, it just makes more sense to me to aim at becoming as good a 'horseman' as you can be...and the safest, and able to enjoy it for as long as you can through good body care and training when you're not in the saddle. We've passed the stage when we're likely to make the next Olympic team, but there's nothing stopping you from becoming a better horseman until your face is wrinkled leather and your legs are permanently bow legged!

Comment by Jenny Hiscox on May 26, 2009 at 9:19pm

I know a lot of people will say dressage, so I need to be the voice that doesn't. I say if you just take English riding lessons for now, you can leave that choice for later. Then again, some people refer to all English riding on the flat as dressage, especially when you are concentrating on balance and collection. (How is that for a wishy-washy answer? LOL)

I do think you need a more experienced coach though, for sure. Is this girl certified? Not that that would ensure she is good, but I just wondered. We have had a couple of early-20s girls giving lessons at our barn, and it is sad to see. They just don't have the knowledge, experience, patience (with the horses) or insight. After a couple of incidents involving coach error (clients following bad instructions, courses set up dangerously) by these girls, I understand that since I've been away the barn owner has banned them from teaching at her barn.

Comment by Barbara Chapel on May 26, 2009 at 8:59pm

Which would be better to learn to improve my ridding/balance; dressage, English, anything else? I just started ridding western and then just switched to english ,but now need to find lessons in that. I was using my own (used) english all purpose saddle on my lease horse. Which I am not going to lease for a month because of my shoulder.The barn where the lease was, the teacher has only been ridding for 5 yrs. She is only 18 now,so I think I need someone with more experience.What do you think?I don't want to just get on a horse, I want lessons,for a long time.

Comment by Eileen on May 26, 2009 at 4:40pm

It is true that our horses do learn what we the rider do on a regular basis. Like I was saying that when I am out on the trail, (no picnic tables available) we must become inventive. After a while, the horse has it all figured out...get into that ditch, straddle that log, siddle up to that stump, let her get on the right side where it is less stressfull for all of us so that she can get on easy. lol At home there is a bush hog in the barn, and I use that for a mounting block. My older Walker knows the routine and has no problem with it...and yet my youngster also knows what the routine is, but he loves to play games, will get up there nice and close, then as I get all set, he does it, he moves, just far enough that he thinks that I will have to work to get on. Damn he ticks me off sometimes. I fool him sometimes and stretch a little further than I usually do and get on anyway....lol nanananana lol and we like to think that we are the intelligent ones.

Comment by Shirley on May 26, 2009 at 1:25pm

Eileen, Thanks for the chuckle...I haven't slide off the rear yet and it's hard for me to picture 'me' doing that. It could happen! I have to get off this computer but you reminded me of a story...That's not hard to do when it comes to horses I turn into a Chatty Cathy. On day a couple of years ago I wanted to try bareback. On a relaxed day I got on useing a bale of hay. I'll be honest we didn't go far but it was all good. Then I went to get off. It felt quite awful and my muscles were just confused as what to do..."Okay, now what?" So I decided to try to get Cash close to the hay to hop off on those. As I nudged him to slide over he was very cooperative and actually straddled the front half of it so I couldn't miss and fall. I swear he knew! He's so great when he is left (calm) brained and I don't blaim him for what he does if I put him in a bad situation and he gets right (panic) brained. Just keeps getting better and better!
Keep on riding girl! I can tell from your posts that you are having lots of fun...

Comment by Eileen on May 26, 2009 at 12:43pm

You are right Shirley, when I was "shopping" for a new horse after the dreadful "stomped in the dirt" episode I still could not lift my left leg off the ground with out lifting that let with my arms. I did exactly that, mounted from the other sied. My horses are use to this, as I do it all the time when out on the trail. Slide off the rear, mount from either side, straddle a log in order for the old lady to get up and on lol What ever works, if we want to ride bad enough, there is a way.

Comment by Shirley on May 26, 2009 at 11:08am

Only under safe conditions....mounting from the wrong side is something to consider. That is provided you have a safe horse, both arms are healthy enough to be safe once you are up there. Did you see the video of the 11 year old girl with only one complete arm that is putting on clinics, training and doing dressage and training??!! Inspiring. I just saw it last night. Think out of the box BUT SAFELY!

Comment by Eileen on May 26, 2009 at 10:18am

Good for you Barbara, don't let the *beasts* get you down. Yes sometimes there are those "little voices" that are trying to tell us something, like..."don't do that honey" lol If only we would listen better. I find that as I get older and hopefully wiser, I do listen to those voices, (some people would call that skitzo or wierd) lol I don't care that people call it, those voices have saved my bacon on numerous occasions. Pretty soon I will be on a first name basis with all of them. lol Yep, I suggest at least getting up in the saddle as soon as you can manage, even if it is for 5 minutes and on a very quiet horse. So then you have the first step back to riding taken care of. baby steps, don't you know.

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