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20 Comments für “What’s the more suitable riding style for Pleasure and trail riding, Western or English?”

1. Tazzi Pee sagt:
   30.January, 2009 um 10:52 pm

   For trail and pleasure riding i would recommend the Western riding style; there is a reason they use it out on ranches: it's just far comfier if you're in the saddle for a long period of time.
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2. Amelia D sagt:
   30.January, 2009 um 11:03 pm

   Ummmm… It depends on you! If you are like me and no matter what if your on a horse and trot you post English. But if your normal and like a sitting trot Westerns. What ever floats your boat. What's more fun for you? Western saddels are more comfortable but well, I would say bareback is most fun! Ok this is hard. I'd say what ever you like most!
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3. Jeff Sadler sagt:
   30.January, 2009 um 11:49 pm

   Since you specified trail riding and pleasure then go Western.

   Western uses saddles with deeper larger seats which are more comfortable (and safer) for long rides. The style is also more relaxed.

   English develops a better balance on the rider. However, english saddles are small and riding long distances becomes uncomfortable. I have been on trail rides of 20 miles of rough terrain (and I mean ROUGH!). Those rides are hard enough on a fit rider in a western saddle. In an English saddle the rider would be exhausted.

   Look up western and english saddles and take a look.

   I will also suggest looking into gaited horses. The top trail horse in the US is currently the Missouri Fox Trotter. However if your trails are smoother (less rugged than here in the Central Ozarks) I would go with a Tennessee Walker. They are a little smoother on even grounds. The walker tends to lack the sure footedness and stamina of the fox trotter when really rugged ground is ridden over, but are bettter on smooth ground.

   But back to your question. for trails and pleasure riding western is much more suitable than english. It is not really rider dependent. It is simply that the western saddle was designed to spend all day in the saddle. It was designed by the cowboys of the western US. The english saddle simply is NOT!

   As for the Australian stock saddle. They are great too but require getting used to. You will also need to get a good one. You will not like a cheap model. But the better ones are very good.

   One more point English (and Australian) stirrups tend to hang more especially if you are wearing improper feet wear (ei, tennis shoes or joggers). It is NOT FUN to be drug even if only for a few dozen feet. I found that out the hard way with my Aussie. I switched the stirrups to western stirrups right after that and made sure never to wear tennis shoes again on a ride (even if I am only just trying the horse out in the yard real quick). I switched back to western after riding aussies for two or three years because I wanted a little softer seat and wanted to learn roping.

   Oh and peruvians are wonderful to ride but the amount of DSLD in the breed made me leery. Well over half of the horses I saw when I went looking were had symptoms of the disease. Most of the others had pasterns so soft that they would clearly be prone to the disease and even if they did not get that disease they would still be prone to injury. Afterwards I decided to stay away from the breed and stick with fox trotters.
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   I ride 300 to 500 miles a year on trails.

4. racetracjac sagt:
   31.January, 2009 um 12:31 am

   I have spent countless hours in both saddles and styles, they are equally suitable, however you can take a bit more gear with you on a western saddle if needed. there is also an Australian stock saddle, which is somewhat of a cross between the other 2, but I've only ridden once in one and not for a very long time.
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5. Barbara B sagt:
   31.January, 2009 um 12:53 am

   Actually, what you're asking is whether a hunt saddle, (English pleasure) or Stock saddle (Western) is more suitable for pleasure and trail riding.

   It all depends on you, the rider - as to what you call pleasure and trail riding. I love a good fox-hunt - sailing over fences on a merry chase… but I have also enjoyed many a mile in a stock saddle as well.

   Since it doesn't matter to me what saddle I use - I look towards the horse. My personal preference is one that's maybe 15hh. well-muscled and large boned with a kind eye and good disposition. I like trail/pleasure horses on the "short" side because I don't have to duck as many branches in the woods - and if I do get unseated, I don't have as far to fall. I like them big-boned and well-muscled because I'm on the heavy side myself - and I like a good disposition because the last thing I want is a fight on a trail with a fractious kookoohead of a horse. Remember, we're talking "Pleasure" riding here - and trying to control a fractious animal may be fun for some - but it's not my idea of a pleasurable experience.

   But again, all of this is up to you. There are those who absolutely love a hot-blooded speed demon. There are those who love a tall, lanky horse with a big stride. There are those who swear by their stock saddles - or hunt saddles.

   It's whatever floats your boat.
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6. Judy sagt:
   31.January, 2009 um 1:36 am

   Either is fine but I recommend Western, especially if you're a beginer. The saddle is made to help you "stick" to the horse. and also has places to secure ropes, lead lines, pouches and bags to carry tools, first aid, and food.
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7. Andelusional hunts Trolls! sagt:
   31.January, 2009 um 1:54 am

   It is entirely a matter of personal preference. Here in the UK almost nobody has or rides in a western saddle, they are by and large looked upon as fun items for kids and amateurs. Not because there is anything wrong with them but because it is no part of the riding tradition here. The english style is more versatile as it can be used for jumping etc, but it is really your choice.
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8. twhrider sagt:
   31.January, 2009 um 2:44 am

   The most suitable riding style is the one you're the most comfortable in. There are advantages to both. Western saddles are more secure, and perhaps a bit more cushy and comfortable, but the lack of mobility in my knees kills me and makes western riding a misery. English saddles don't have near the padding, you're kind of sitting on a potato chip….but much more freedom to move your legs around (and the no horn deal can be a great advantage if you have to go under something low…. I split the difference and ride a plantation saddle. The deep seat offers plenty of security, there's all sorts of places to tie things on, and the english stirrup leathers give me the flexibility I need to keep my knees happy.
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9. Anthony sagt:
   31.January, 2009 um 3:18 am

   I ride with a treeless or Western
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10. tappitytapper61307 sagt:
    31.January, 2009 um 3:23 am

    Well, Western Riding is more for pleasure, and English is more for Equitation. But, English is pleasureable too. You can ride both ways in pleasure and trail, but if you were competeing, i would choose Western.
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    i have been riding for 10 years

11. cnsdubie's horse poops troll sagt:
    31.January, 2009 um 3:33 am

    Whatever you are comfortable with. Perhaps you could take a few lessons in both styles before deciding which you prefer? Because it really is a matter of preference.

    My trail saddle is a hybrid of the two styles of saddles….

    http://www.customcomfortsaddles.com/

    Mine is like the one on that webpage above. I'm getting another this spring with a deeper seat but the same fenders/english leathers. It really is the best of both worlds…the deep, secure seat, the free movement in the knees.

    I would also urge you to visit a gaited stable and try a gaited horse for trail. I love my Walkers, and have found them to be as sure footed and hardy as any other in all types of terrain.
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12. gar_fanatic sagt:
    31.January, 2009 um 3:49 am

    Whatever you are more comfortable in is the type you should use. I do competitive trail riding and I use a horn-less Australian Stock Saddle. I also have a roping saddle that is also extremely comfortable, which I use for training since it's really heavy. But I prefer the lightness of the australian stock during the competition. You get better scores since your horse is not laboring so much to move the heavy saddle around. I also have more flexibility to move with him over obstacles (also getting better points).
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    Personal experience.

13. Kassandra sagt:
    31.January, 2009 um 4:13 am

    You will want to ride western. THe saddle is made for more of an all day thing! Its not as hard on your body!
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14. Mag sagt:
    31.January, 2009 um 4:41 am

    Ideally you will want to make a list of charecterristics youll probaly want a gelding . Line up some prospects to look at and maybe get a second opinion. I think english is so much fun its just easier i think.

    Breeds i recommend would be
    mountain horse
    quater horse

    Western riding developed according to the needs of 'cowboys'. The Western saddle is made to distribute weight more evenly over the horse’s back so horse and rider can counterbalance the weight of a roped cow. The seat is comfortable for long hours over rough terrain. The horn anchors a lariat when roping cattle.
    English riding takes many of its traditions and equipment from European mounted military styles.

    Type of Horse: Western horses tend to be compact and traditionally capable of steady travel all day with small bursts of speed to chase stray cattle.
    English style horses tend to be taller.

    But some individuals have surprising talents and a stocky Quarter Horse may surprise you in the dressage ring, while a Thoroughbred might have unexpected ‘cow sense’. Chances are your horse and you can find some success—and certainly fun, at any discipline or riding style no matter his type or breeding.
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15. In Memory of Mark sagt:
    31.January, 2009 um 5:01 am

    People usually choose western for trail riding and pleasure. usually because horses are easier to train in western.
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16. paintgirl_h sagt:
    31.January, 2009 um 5:36 am

    I trail ride both Western and English, and I think a person's preference is just that - what they prefer. As long as the saddle fits both the horse and rider well, it makes absolutely no difference.
    Having said that, I would take my Western saddle if I was working a young or green horse anyday. If my horse shies, bucks or acts up I have alot more "stick" in the saddle, and am much less likely to get dumped.
    If I was really riding for long distances, I would take my English saddle as its much lighter and easier for my horse to carry. But most people don't work their horses nearly enough, so a heavy saddle isn't normally a problem.
    I think a better question is - what type of bit works best? In my opinion, when I trail ride I normally use a snaffle bit for both English and Western. It's much easier to guide your horse and you can control them without getting too heavy and painful in their mouth. Then again, if your horse tends to tune you out and ignore you in the trail, but they're well trained and know what to do when ring riding, then perhaps a leverage bit gives you more control.
    So I think this is a very personal thing and you need to do 1)what is best and most comfortable for your particular horse and 2) ride in the saddle that is the most comfortable and secure for you.
    Good luck and happy riding.
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    I own, show and train Paint horses in Canada.

17. JERILYN D sagt:
    31.January, 2009 um 5:52 am

    Let me throw a monkey wrench in the works… For me, Australian stock saddles were the best choice. First of all, I have Peruvian Paso horses and Western saddles are not comfortable for the horse. And I am kind of short and found that the heavy leather and heavy stirrup leathers were very uncomfortable for me and really hurt my knees. When I rode competitive trail I always used a dressage saddle because it was more comfortable for me and my horse.

    I know a lot of people, however, don't feel safe riding long hours on an English saddle, but the Australian stock has a seat that's a cross between English and Western; they can come with or without a horn; they are lighter weight than a Western saddle; the leg leathers are not so heavy and stiff; and many of them are very well padded and quite comfortable. Look into them!

    As far as breeds for pleasure/trail riding, maybe I'm a little biased, but I wouldn't have anything else but a Peruvian horse. They come in all sizes and colors; they love people; they are smart and sensible; and they are born with an incredibly smooth gait that is easy on backs, backsides and knees. They can go all day in their gait, and they also canter, run and jump. They're very versatile, but you just can't beat them for trail horses!
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18. spkunze13 sagt:
    31.January, 2009 um 6:22 am

    Most people would suggest riding western for trail and pleasure. I personally like to trail ride in my english saddle but that is because it is what I am used to. Most beginners find the bulkier saddle more comfortable.
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19. Total Cowgirl sagt:
    31.January, 2009 um 7:01 am

    I'd recommend western because to me it is more comfortable and you are not as likely to fall off as you would on an English saddle because the front of the saddle is designed to keep you in. Also, western saddles are built to hold lots of baggage when you go on trail rides.
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20. Chance sagt:
    31.January, 2009 um 7:20 am

    I'd say try western, but maybe take a few riding lessons in both disciplines and see what you like best.
    As shallow as it seems, I'd also tend to do whatever the majority of people around you are doing. You'll have many people to learn from and who wants to ride alone?

    Also, if you try western and want to switch to english, that is easy enough. It's not a now or never decision.

    Have fun, be safe and good for you for getting into horses!
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