Equestrian Goods

So sorry for my ignorance but i've never come across it (i live in the UK) and dont know anybody that rides it.
Do western riders not jump?
How hard is it to switch from western to english?

western riders dont jump, unless they are trail riding and going over a long, but dont mistake this for corss country, they dont do that either. however, they can do barrel racing, pole bending, cattle driving, and something having to do with actually catching the cattle (forgot what it is called), they can do trail rides, and more. it is used mostly for just being more relaxed, and not proper like english. and yes it is usually hard to switch from western to english. western saddles help balance you can english ones dont at all. hope this helps.
i dont ride western, but i do jump! started out doing english, and have just used western saddles for trails. i dont like them as much as english though. everyone says it is hard to switch, but i never really did it.

Please, only around Tampa, Fl. Also, if you know of any nice places to go trail riding, with rented horses, since I don't have one of my own. Thanks.

There is a place over here by Cocoa Beach called Ace of Hearts Ranch that rents horses and does trail riding. Also, in Kissimmee there is a HUGE place with rental horses, I believe it is called Horse World.

Both can be found on line.

As far as places to take lessons, I don't know of any over there as I'm not from there. If you want to drive 2 1/2 hours to visit us, our barn does western lessons.

Good luck!

We are looking for an instructor to teach my 11 yr old daughter western riding. Can't spend much $. Any thoughts? Help!

I would call the breed associations. Most have a list of trainers by area that they are happy to give to you. Or attend a few shows and ask around. You will get a wealth of information on who is good, fair in price, and who to avoid. Good Luck!

I just sold my Paint gelding because he was primarily an English horse and I want a strictly Western horse. I thought about the Quarter Horse and another Paint but I also want to look at other possibilities. I do cutting,sorting,roping,barrel racing,reining,and working cow horse.I use my friend's Quarter Horse for that. The horse I need would be about 15hh.
I also do things like cattle trails and sometimes do English Pleasure but barely.

Quarter horses and paints and appaloosas are the most common western horses. It's possible to find a thoroughbred or arabian that can do western but it's not really common. I've seen a morgan western horse and I've seen some draft breeds go western.
If you're not looking for a particular breed, you could go to a website like equine.com and search for a horse with a western discipline and see what comes up.

I fancy having a go at western riding, does anyone know of a school that gives a taster course??

You could contact Dr Megan Roughley at 09104 607400. She is a certified WES instructor (Western Equestrian Society) and is based in Yorks. She may be able to help you or put you in touch with someone that can. They are all pretty tight in WES and know each other.

Hi, still trying to find out more about horseback riding. What's the difference between eastern and western horseback riding? What would you recommend?
Thanks
Briana
English and westeren, my badd, sorrry.
thank you all so much you guys really helpeddd (:

Don't listen to that Matt guy. He doesn't know what he's talking about; there's not just a saddle difference. Let's get this straight:

ENGLISH: Lighter saddle, no horn, iron stirrups, uses a girth instead of a cinch to attach saddle, does jumping, post trotting, much more complicated bridle. If I may, English is somewhat more 'prissy' than Western. I love it anyway though. You do have more control. Another thing is the pants; you can wear jodhpurs or jeans. And the boots. You have to get paddock boots and I also have half-chaps that go up to my knees. These aren't needed, but they help once you've gotten to a certain level of riding.

WESTERN: Heavier saddle, has a horn, leather stirrups, uses a cinch instead of a girth to attach saddle, does more trail riding, cow work, rodeo-type stuff. The bridle is extremely simple. It is much more relaxed than English, but I feel as if I have less control. I have tried both and have stayed with English. You also only wear jeans with Western; and the boots are just the cowboy boots you see at Cavender's and Drysdales.

Hope it helps! I've done all this too!

I rode English for a little while but am now riding Western. I get a sore and bruise on my left knee. Is there a way without using chaps to not get a sore? I don’t want to look stupid wearing English half chaps while riding Western. Thanks.

yes

I live in farmington hills, michigan, and i’m looking for a good place to horse back ride western style. i have a small lake cottage out by halfmoon, and there is a great horseback riding place there. it’s called High water Chorale. I love it there, but unfortunately its too far from home to go a lot. so i was wondering if anyone new a good place in the area somewhat. Thanks!
I'm looking for places with trail riding additionally, if they've got it there.

I’m not sure which ones are the most convenient for you, but here are is a list of the trails in Oakland County. There are several.

I've fallen in love with Western Riding and have learnt how to ride Western myself.
One major problem - I live in the UK! Western Riding isn't all the popular here yet, but doesn anyone know of any BHS approved places where I can get my horse trained for Western Riding?

I live in Canada, so obviously I can't help you find a specific trainer. But I had a suggestion for you.
Have your horse started with any local good trainer, and then change her over to Western yourself. I ride both English and Western here, and the differences may take time to achieve, but they aren't too hard or dangerous if your horse has been properly started.
Invest in some good training DVDs. If you are interested in showing Western, look at Cleve Wells. He has about 8 DVDs, you can buy them on his website or eBay all the time. They start with his groundwork DVD, then he has one on selecting Western Pleasure prospects. After that he has a set of 3 on starting the show prospect, they are excellent with the basics of lunging, ground driving, beginning your horse's headset, teaching them to travel slow, etc. Plus he has others on transitions, the hackamore horse, the equipment (including various bits, spurs, etc) he uses and so forth. They are very clear and easy to understand and I think you would gain alot from them.
You also might enjoy trainers such as Clinton Anderson and John Lyons, but most of their training can be used for either Western and English and aren't really specific.
Although I live in a country that rides mostly Western, I still live 2 hours from the nearest good trainer. Therefore I really rely on good DVDs, and then haul to a trainer in between to have someone evaluate where we're at.
Good luck and happy riding.

I was always told your heels, hip and head should line up but I always see people who ride western with their legs forward, is that how you ride western? or is that the wrong way of doing it?

Well they shouldnt be riding like that, you are correct in saying your heels, hip and head should be in a straight line…

I think it stems from the fact that they are told to push the butts into their saddles and just shift down instead of re-positioning their legs…it is a major postion flaw.. I dont do it…believe me…I would have my head handed to me by my coach if i did that! haha

However thats just for pleasure classes…some events you need to have your feet out as sort of a "brace" from the impact…or you will be throw so off balance its not funny–like reining–try to do a sliding stop with your hip,heel& head aligned in a straight line–not gonna happen!

BB