What is the difference between English and Western horseback riding?
The disciplines are different. English consists of jumping, dressage, equitation, and hunter, while western can include barrel racing, pole bending, roping, trail riding, and reining. Both can be ridden on a competitive level with trophies, ribbons, and prize money.
What is English horseback riding?
English riding is a form of horse riding seen throughout the world. English riding is an equestrian discipline with many different styles; however, at the most basic level, most versions require riders to use both hands on the reins, rather than just one hand, as is seen in western riding.
Should I do Western or English riding?
For an absolute novice, western riding is easier because the saddle is more secure and has more to hang onto; however, if you are an experienced rider, you should not hang onto the saddle and you should be able to ride either style with ease.
Is it harder to ride English or Western?
I’d have to say western is easier than english. For one thing, the larger saddle provides a more secure seat for the novice rider. English riding, even for the beginner, involves the coordination of multiple factors, such as legs, reins and balance to maintain control of the horse.
Can you ride a Western horse English?
Every western horse should be able to “ride English” in the sense of lighter, flocked saddles with thinner pads and direct reining of a snaffle. The usual starting of a western horse involves a transition from the snaffle to the curb, and direct reining to neck reining.
Why are horses mounted on the left?
Mounting from the left is just tradition. Soldiers would mount up on their horses left sides so that their swords, anchored over their left legs, wouldn’t harm their horses’ backs. Alternating sides also allows your horse to use muscles on the right and left sides of his spine equally, which helps his back.
Can you ride Western in an English saddle?
You can ride anyway you want in any kind of tack, English, western, bareback. If you want to try out an English saddle and ride loosey, goosey, do it.
Is English or Western riding more expensive?
Is English or Western riding more expensive? Riding price ranges can vary from place to place but generally when showing is involved, Western riding tends to be more expensive. This entails the cost of the horse, lessons, apparel, tack, boarding and showing.
What should I look for when buying a saddle?
Gauge appropriate saddle size. It’s important to make sure you fit in your saddle. The shape and length of the saddle should accommodate you comfortably. Otherwise, you may not want to ride as often. In English saddles you should have four inches of saddle in front and behind your body.
How do I identify my Simco saddle?
Simco Saddle Age Just by deciphering the serial number, one can find how old the Simco saddle is. Simco saddle serial usually has the model year and often lies in the first two digits. For instance, if the Simco saddle serial number is 86-1358, it is highly likely that the saddle was made in 1986.
How can you tell how old a saddle is?
Look for the manufacturer’s name and logo to be stamped in plain sight on the saddle. Check on the back, the skirts or on a plate underneath the jockey. Contact the saddle’s manufacturer for information about the saddle’s age. Most manufacturers will be able to tell you the age of the saddle using the serial number.
How do you read a saddle serial number?
The next three digits of the serial number stamped on the saddle is a three digit serial number given to that particular saddle as an identifier of that individual saddle. After the three digit serial number, it is followed by four more numbers which is the date of manufacture. This is set out as MM/YY.