Equestrian Goods

Tried the BHS, but they haven't come back to me

Contact the Western Equestrian Society - WES. Besides the AQHA affiliate in Britain, WES is the other main group and they deal with all western riding and all breeds, not just Quarter Horses.

http://www.rwells1.freeserve.co.uk/

I'm a beginner rider from Sri Lanka and still learning the basics and I've heard these terms a lot of times but do not exactly understand what each of them mean exactly with respect to the riding technique and how they are different from each other and also its similarities.

I know it might be difficult to explain with a few sentences sorry

Thanks in advance for your answers.

Weastern: Western is riding with a western saddel whitch is much bigger and more confy! The bridle is usually a chain bit or curve bit but there are other types. You hold the reins with one hand and very loose this is because the bit is much harsher on the horses mouth, the stirrups are much thicker and leather. The gaints are walk, jog, lope and gallop. In shows they do ropeing, pole bending, barrel raceing etc.

English: English is in a smaller more refined saddel. The bridle is usually a snaffel or other types too. You hold the reins tight and in 2 hands. This is because the bit is a lot less harsh.The sttirups are thin and metal. The gaints are walk, trot, canter, and gallop. At a trot the rider does a Posting trot. At shows people do jumping, dressage, and cross country.
Do I make sense I'm afraid that was all horse talk! Any way that's the diffrence.

I’ve been thinking of starting riding lessons, but i’ve noticed that a lot of people on YA! have been talking about english or western?
and what is dressage?

Contrary to what others have said, neither is necessarily more costly than the other, neither is necessarily harder, etc.

They are different. There are lots of options in either. Western is NOT just rodeo, barrel racing, etc.–it includes performance events like Western Pleasure, Reining, Horsemanship, etc.

I show and ride both. In the last twenty years, I’ve done trail riding (E&W), speed events (W), western pleasure (W), horsemanship (W), reining (W), western riding (W), dressage (E), hunters (E), equitation (E), aqha hunter under saddle (E), aha hunter pleasure (E), jumpers (E), etc. on different horses. I love it all.

There is a difference in saddles, but that extends beyond just disciplines. Western saddles have different styles as well for different styles of riding–speed events, pleasure saddles, trail saddles, endurance, etc. English saddles include dressage, forward seat, close contact, etc.

Don’t panic over it now. The important thing is that you find a good, reputable, safe barn with safe, solid lesson horses–any discipline. Get your feet wet around the horses and talk to people there about the disciplines. As you learn to ride, you’ll figure out what you like most. Then you can choose your discipline based on that, not on someone else’s opinion (asking whether English or Western is better is like asking someone if they like blue or red better…it’s totally up to each person).

Google the two and look at pictures of different styles. That’ll give you an idea of what you’re getting into.

I need to know for my report.

I know for a fact that Quarter horses and paint horses are used A LOT for western riding, And as for a third one, Morgan maybe.

Hi. Im a freshman in highschool and i've been involved in horses for 5 years in western riding. I own a show horse and have lots of experience in both showing and riding. My trainer has pretty much inspired me to teach riding to people. I was just wondering how i become a certified instructor? and what specific courses in highschool should i take?

I have been recomended Olds College in Albreta

thanks in advance

Try this. Very reputable. Good classes and stringent certification. Certified Horsemanship Association.

Particularly for barrel racing, what is the official size arena for this?

It depends on what organization you are talking about for official, but average is 130 ft. wide by 200 ft. long. If you stick to average, it usually fits most organizations.

It's really more about barrel spacing than arena size. From the score line (starting line) to the 1st and 2nd barrels is 60 feet. The distance between the first and second barrels is 90 feet, and the distance from the 1st and 2nd barrels to the 3rd barrel is 105 feet.

whats the deference between english and western? which one is harder then the other?

there really isnt a whole lot of difference except mainly the saddle. english riding may require a little bit more balance than western, in a western saddle you have more to guide your balance like the saddle horn, the cantel is higher, and the tree/swell is obviously larger. you also have stiffer fenders and stirrups. the stirrups can tend to be large therefore making it easier for some people to keep their feet in as well as heels down. as the english saddle goes, you have no horn, a very low cantel and a low/small pommel, as well as a knee roll, and the fenders/stirrup strap are usually 1-2 inch leather straps with iron stirrups. some believe that iron stirrups on the english saddle make it easier to keep your heels down maintaining your balance better. its more all up to the riders choice, im a western rider, (started off learning to ride in an english saddle ) but i still occasionally use an english saddle. most people believe that the difference of riding style is that you post in an english saddle, but more and more people are starting to post in western as well. its overall more comfortable for you as well as your horse. in my opinion you learn balance better in an english saddle than a western, that is why i still ride everyonce in a while in english. again its all riders choice. :o)

i am a horse-lover and i want to start riding lessons again with me concentrating on western riding (i.e. barrel racing, reining )
thank you.
p.s. i live in Apex, Wake County, North Carolina.

http://www.magicyellow.com/category/Stables/durham_nc.html

http://www.newhorse.com/page/ridinglessons/b.511.g.5117.html

http://www.newhorse.com/page/ridinglessons/b.511.g.7610.html

Hope this helps you find something close to you. Good luck

I ride english but have never ridden western and know virtually nothing about this style. Are there any differences in the aids, or what the rider is expected to do? Any tips you can give me so i don’t look like a complete idiot (more than usual)?
Thank you in advance

Western is a lot easier than english. You steer with the reigns, you basically just sit on the saddle, no need to worry about how you hold your heels, or how much you squeeze with your legs, etc. The stirrups are set lower, and as mentioned above there’s a horn on the saddle.

I'm just curious what every one has found to be the best, most comfortable boots for riding. I don't need something fancy…just something functional!! The ones I was using didn't fit quite right so I gave them to my niece.

Please and thank you!!
What about Ariat Gem Baby's, Doll Baby, etc? Are those made for riding use? Also, how can I find the right fit on them? I normally wear a 6.5 womens in all shoes.
thanks!

I LOVE BOOTS! Got over 25 pair….

These are opinions - don't anyone diss me for my opinions….

Ariat's are very well made with lots of technology for good comfort, safety and good wear.

However, Fatbaby's aren't made for riding - the sole is not made to fit in a stirrup and the shaft is too short for safety - that's why they make Probaby's - these have narrower, smoother soles so they can't get as easily caught in the stirrup and higher shafts so they don't get hung up on a stirrup fender or pinch.

The Ariat Heritage lines are a good all around riding boot, but I wouldn't suggest something like a Manzanita for riding simply because it's a pricey fashion boot - it's technically built to ride in, but why put all that frill under your pants in the dirt?

Some people prefer pull on because if you do get a foot caught, you can conceivably pull your foot out of the boot. I haven't been in that position, don't care to test the theory.

Others prefer the lace ups because they can control the support (tightness) of the boot in different places on the foot and there are not floppy feeling parts like your leg feels in the shaft of a traditional western boot.

I ride every day in a pair of women's Double H buckaroo boots. They're easy to get in and out of, they have a good walking heel and a tall shaft so my left don't get pinched at all and they support my ankles.

My mother safely and comfortable rides in Ariat Cascade workboots (lacers with a short shaft) or Ariat Terrains (we're an Ariat family) and she loves them, but when I try this, my calves get sore from rubbing on the stirrup fendors and the top of the shoes get caught on the bottom of the stirrup fendors when I try to cue the horse by picking up a heel.

I sell boots as a hobby job on the weekends - many people buy Justin traditional cowboy boots for riding and just as many buy the tennis shoe-type things (like Terrains or Shiloh's or whatever Ariat is calling them now). Still others prefer the traditional lacers.

I may suggest going with something that's similar to what you've just outgrown you must give to your neice now. If you're used to riding in a high-shaft pull on, look for that style. I prefer real leather to synthetic - it seems to last longer with proper care. When you can afford to have a pair you KNOW you like to ride in, look for a sale to try something really different and see how you like it. Watch your local horsey-type store for sales on discontinued styles and such you can get fairly inexpensively and you can find something you won't feel bad having to give away or sell cheap if you don't like them.

Treat leather like you would your skin - you wouldn't put a petroleum based lotion or oil on your skin that would block your pores, leather is skin - condition it with natural oils like mink oil, 100% pure neatsfoot oil. Even Bickmore's products seems to work very good.

Had enough about shoes? A girl can't have too many ya know.