y do people think american horse riding is better than english?

Question

peops r always trying to tell me to try westernbut i live in england and prefer my english way of riding + quite frankly a western saddle wouldn't be very good for my arab after an english one so whats all the fuss about?

Answer 1

Well learn how to get a saddle fitted for your arab. Western Saddles are better, comfortable ride.

Answer 2

English and Western riding evolved for very different purposes. A Western saddle has to be comfortable as cowboys would spend hours every day sat in them herding cattle, etc.

English riding is more about style and elegance.

Personally I ride english style, but have tried Western. The saddles are definitely more comfortable for a long days riding, but you could never do dressage/eventing/showjumping in a Western saddle!

It's all down to personal preference at the end of the day, one is not better than the other: they just have different advantages and purposes.

Answer 3

I suppose it depends on what you do on a horse or what part of the country you live in. If you have cattle and use ranch horses, you couldn't rope anything with an english saddle. If all you do is ride for pleasure or show or something like that...whatever you like is what you should do. It doesn't matter to me whether someone rides english or western even though I've never ridden anything but western. But then again, I grew up on a cattle ranch.

Answer 4

I prefer english and I'm american. Everyone in the area around me rides western, and I get stares whenever I trail ride. Also, there are no shows in my area that have english classes (not that I would show, anyway).

Its "cooler" or something to ride western. I've had people look down on me because I ride english. Frankly, I don't care and neither I nor my thoroughbred mare enjoy the western way of riding. We are both far more comfortable in our english gear. Also, its easier to hunt with an english saddle. Can you imagine jumping a wall with that horn?? LOL

I have to drive 45 minutes to get to where they teach english, and then they look down on the western riders. Just ride the way you prefer to, and ignore the comments.

Answer 5

One is not better than the other, they are just different. If your horse has some speed and you have the guts, western disciplines such as gymkhana and rodeo can be really fun. If your horse likes to jump, english is your sport. There is everything inbetween of course too. Do what your horse is good at, and what you think is fun :))

Answer 6

i think that one does think either American sitting or English sitting is better, i think it is people in the USA are used to riding the way we were taught and the English people are used to riding the way they were taught. i also think that the English way of riding is more interesting and looks far more classy and stylish than the USA way.....i never rode a horse, so i respect those that do, i always wanted to ride but now it is too late, [ i am old kid.......]

Answer 7

do people in america ride a horse different from in britian? Forget the horse and just go riding.

Answer 8

Sit in a western saddle for a while,you'll figure it out.

Answer 9

everyone thinks that english horseriding is posh, jus because thats what were good at dressage and care bout our appearence but i personally think it depends what you want it for.
also people mistake arabs for been delicate and sweet but actually there quite strong, yes they arent the best but there no sweet n innocent!!!!!!!!

Answer 10

Quite frankly i have not got a clue.