| RIDING STYLES |
WESTERN STYLE RIDING
Rider's legs are relatively straight for
most styles of Western riding.
The western saddle is deep and
comfortable, although heavy.
Rider holds the reins in one hand and
"neck reins" the horse (lays the reins
against the horse's neck to turn him).
Rider often sits the trot.
In general, Western horses are usually
not as "collected" (balanced) in their
gaits as English-trained horses. There
are exceptions to this, of course.
Usual Clothing: Jeans, western-style
boots, western hat (or helmet),
western-style shirt. The general look
may either be extremely practical or
very flashy.
Some Specific Western
Disciplines:
Reining: horses spin and move
quickly in response to rein cues.
Cutting: The horse and rider separate
a cow from the herd. The horse often
has instinct to do this without much
help from the rider.
Barrel Racing: Usually for women,
the rider races around three barrels in a
specific pattern.
Roping: Horses are trained to get the
cowboy close enough to easily rope
the cow.
Rider's legs are relatively straight for
most styles of Western riding.
The western saddle is deep and
comfortable, although heavy.
Rider holds the reins in one hand and
"neck reins" the horse (lays the reins
against the horse's neck to turn him).
Rider often sits the trot.
In general, Western horses are usually
not as "collected" (balanced) in their
gaits as English-trained horses. There
are exceptions to this, of course.
Usual Clothing: Jeans, western-style
boots, western hat (or helmet),
western-style shirt. The general look
may either be extremely practical or
very flashy.
Some Specific Western
Disciplines:
Reining: horses spin and move
quickly in response to rein cues.
Cutting: The horse and rider separate
a cow from the herd. The horse often
has instinct to do this without much
help from the rider.
Barrel Racing: Usually for women,
the rider races around three barrels in a
specific pattern.
Roping: Horses are trained to get the
cowboy close enough to easily rope
the cow.
ENGLISH STYLE RIDING
Riders may ride with short stirrup
leathers (for jumping) or with longer
leathers for dressage, etc.
The English saddle is light and relatively
flat.
Rider usually holds the reins in both
hands and direct reins the horse. Polo
players may hold the reins in one hand.
Rider may post (rise up and down) as
the horse is trotting.
Many English disciplines emphasize a
horse that is very balanced in his
movements and has his center of
gravity well under his body.
Usual Clothing: Riding breeches,
riding helmets or velvet hats, tall boots,
riding jackets in dark or muted colors.
Long jackets and top hats are worn in
some disciplines. The general look is
very neat, formal and conservative.
Some Specific English
Disciplines:
Hunter /Jumper: Horse and rider
rider and jump various obstacles in
imitation of fox hunters in England.
Dressage: Training that teaches a
horse to lenghten or shorten his body
and to move his body and feet in
certain ways. At times, the horse may
even appear to be dancing.
Gaited Horses: While gaited horses
(horses like Tennesee Walkers that
move very smoothly) can be ridden
with western saddles, most gaited
horses are shown with special
English-style saddles.
Polo: A game played on horseback.
Riders may ride with short stirrup
leathers (for jumping) or with longer
leathers for dressage, etc.
The English saddle is light and relatively
flat.
Rider usually holds the reins in both
hands and direct reins the horse. Polo
players may hold the reins in one hand.
Rider may post (rise up and down) as
the horse is trotting.
Many English disciplines emphasize a
horse that is very balanced in his
movements and has his center of
gravity well under his body.
Usual Clothing: Riding breeches,
riding helmets or velvet hats, tall boots,
riding jackets in dark or muted colors.
Long jackets and top hats are worn in
some disciplines. The general look is
very neat, formal and conservative.
Some Specific English
Disciplines:
Hunter /Jumper: Horse and rider
rider and jump various obstacles in
imitation of fox hunters in England.
Dressage: Training that teaches a
horse to lenghten or shorten his body
and to move his body and feet in
certain ways. At times, the horse may
even appear to be dancing.
Gaited Horses: While gaited horses
(horses like Tennesee Walkers that
move very smoothly) can be ridden
with western saddles, most gaited
horses are shown with special
English-style saddles.
Polo: A game played on horseback.