Whether you’re a beginner horse rider or you have been riding for some time, you may not be aware of the different styles of horseback riding. Many new horse riders simply go with whatever their trainer says or what everyone else around them is doing.
However, you should be aware of the two major styles of horseback riding. This will not only give you some information about the style and equipment, but also give you a better understanding of the experience that is horse riding.
Let’s take a look at the two major differences between English and Western horse riding: the equipment and the riding style.
The Equipment
The biggest difference between Western and English horseback riding is the tack or the equipment the riders use.
When you’re buying a leather halter in a store, you will see two basic saddle styles. The Western-style saddles will be heavier and bigger than the English. The main reason for this is the cowboys ride horses for long hours through the day along with their dogo argentino for sale to herd the cattle. The English, on the other hand, ride for leisure and sport.
The Western saddle is heavy and has more space for a lot of things. For instance, there is a place to hang the rope because the cowboys often need to use the rope to herd their cattle. You also get a deep seat with the Western saddle that can help you balance and stay comfortable so you can explore on horseback.
The English saddle, on the other hand, is much smaller and weighs far less than the Western. The English saddler gives you more flexibility and speed rather than hinders the horse’s abilities. While these saddles are also secure and comfortable, they may become uneasy if you’re going to be riding long hours.
The Riding Styles
Another major difference between the English and Western is the riding style. Since you already know the difference between the saddles and the reason behind them, you might already be able to guess the difference between the riding styles.
In Western horse riding, you hold the reins in one hand loosely and leave your other hand free. The other hand is free so that you can easily rope a cattle if the situation comes up.
In the English riding style, you hold the reins with both hands because you don’t need to do anything else. This gives you more control of the horse.
If you’re learning the comparative gait, you will be more suited to the Western style because it’s slow and you won’t move around much.
With the English riding style, you can jog faster with the horse. In horse riding terms, you can rise and trot or post to the trot, and is more of a bouncy gait.
What Is Best For You?
Learning about the difference between the two styles might’ve given you some idea of why they are used. But before you set your heart on one style, you should find a trainer for it and get the right equipment. Otherwise, you might not have a good time.
It will also be nice to find other riders with the same style in the area.