English vs. Western.

There are two different types of common riding styles. Western riding and english riding.

Western originated with the cowboys. With a western saddle (figure 1) the weight of the rider is distributed more evenly over the horse's back. A western saddle is much more comfortable than an english saddle because of its deep seat and horn. The horn on the western saddle is used for wrapping the rope around when you are roping cattle.

Figure 1: Western Saddle

The western horse (figure 2) is more compact and sturdy. Remember in the olden days, they needed to be able to handle being ridden all day in the fields. The can run quickly in small bursts. This is typically why you see many Quarter Horses as ranch horses because of their ideal conformation.

Figure 2: Quarter Horse (Western Breed)

When showing a horse western style, there are different gaits that you will need to perform in order to show. Walk, is the basic four beat gait. The jog, is a smooth gait, a little faster than the walk. Then you have the lope, which is faster than the trot. This is a three beat gate.

When riding western, the cowboys wore western hats and cowboy boots with jeans and a plaid shirt. This was to protect them in the sun. When showing western there are different things to wear than this (figure 3). That will be discussed in a later blog. Riding western, riders are required to use one hand to steer the horse. This is called neck reining.

Figure 3: Western Attire (Cowboy)

Lastly, there are different competitions that western riders can compete in: team penning, roping, trail riding, cutting, pleasure and equitation classes, gymkhana, and trail classes.

This western competition is called western pleasure.

English riding originated from the European mounted military. This is where this style gets many of its traditions from. English saddles (figure 4) are smaller and cover less space on the horses back. There is no horn and the seat of the saddle is smaller as well. These saddles do not have decorations or tooling, but simple leather pieces.

Figure 4: Hunt Seat (English) Saddle

The english horse (figure 5) is taller and can be leaner. They are better equipped to jump and can run the longer distances. But a western horse can do these things and an english horse can perform the western aspects of riding.

Figure 5: Quarter Horse (English Horse)

The gaits of riding english are very similar to western. The walk is the same except in english you would be looking for more extension of the gait. Instead of a jog, in english it is called a trot. This faster than a walk and the horse should be covering more ground than the western jog. When showing english, the judge may ask for an extended trot which is when the horse should be reaching and extending the legs. Instead of a lope, the english version is canter. A canter is more elevated.

When showing english, leather riding boots and jodphers are worn. An hunt cap is used in place of the cowboy hat. Also, a hunt coat is used and is placed over a polo looking shirt. When riding english, the reins are placed in each hand and the horse is not neck reined (figure 6).

Figure 6: English Attire

There are many competitions that english riders can participate in as well. This include: dressage, jumping, hunter under saddle, equitation, mounting, polo, and hunter hack.

This english style competition is jumping.