English to Western?

Question

I recently bought my first horse. He is 13 years old and has always ridden English. I used to take English lessons but am more comfortable with western. How hard would it be to train my horse western? Where would I go to learn how to teach him? or is it just better for a horse to stick with one style?

Answer 1

It is great that horses know more than one style of riding, just as for a human to know more too!!
I first took English riding lessons. This helped to improve my balance and maintain a good seat.

Ever since my ownership of a horse, I have rode western. BUT,I have also used an English saddle, bareback and Aussie saddle on my horses.
There really isn't much difference in training a horse to ride one way over the other. The basics are all still the same.
With Western however, you may have to train your horse to neck rein, or don't bother and just "plow rein" him. I still to this day find myself doing the "plow rein" with my western riding. I find myself kept more in balance with both hands on the reins. My horse does neck rein though.

Now for show purposes, you will have to show a western riding horse with only one hand on the reins. But it really isn't hard to teach a horse to neck rein. Just remember to lay the opposite rein over the neck when you pull on the direct rein. The smart ones learn quickly. I even taught our stubborn older Appaloosa mare to neck rein in a short period of time.

Conclusion, open the door and learn more ways and teach more ways to your horse. You will both be better for knowing more than one style and being so versatile!

Answer 2

There is no difference except a saddle really, if they move off your seat then does it matter which saddle you ride in. You should be able to ride a horse with one hand or two, if not they are not really trained. Good horse trainers have people in their clinics that ride either saddle but do all the same work with the horse. The horse would probably like western better because most go on to make it a one rein horse and don't pull on the mouth where english stays in the beginning training with a snaffle, usually keeping pressure on the mouth, silly really

Answer 3

It is good for a horse to have alot of different skills, so it's not a bad idea for him to change styles. I would talk to some of the western trainers in your area to see who has experience with "retraining" horses. They will be able to assist you with training neck reining, and how to slow the gaits to a more traditional jog and lope. If you're just going to be trail riding or riding for fun, you don't even have to worry about that. Just make sure you have a saddle that properly fits him, and give him some time to get used to the larger saddle and the excess weight. If you're not going to be showing, I would also stick with a snaffle bit so you don't have to worry about retraining him. If you are comfortable with English, I would periodically change back and forth. It will keep him mentally well rounded, and physically keep his body in better shape by asking him to move differently underneath you. Best of luck with him, I hope you enjoy your new horse.

Answer 4

I feel a horse who had been trained English is easier to ride western then a western trained horse riding it English.
I personally would rather ride western, I had not rode English but a couple times.
Horses are smarter then people give them credit for. If you choose western ride western...
These are my thoughts :0)

Answer 5

Actually as far as formal training is concerned the english seat is better to become acostumded to. It forces you to find a balance. Not until you feel equally comfortable with both should you make a one sided decision. As for the horse he may be able to do somer cool things that westernhorses arent used to.

Answer 6

I had the same problem, my horse had never been ridingg' in English and always in Western. I wanted to try English with him, and all I did was put the saddle on him, got on, and went ridin'. Your horse will probably be the same way and it might be easier switching him to western.

Answer 7

Well you can try teaching finding out if he knows reining. If not it shouldn't be too hard to teach him. If he doesn't know and doesn't want to learn than you can always ride western but hold ur reins English style. But I doubt it will be hard to teach him.

Answer 8

you should stay with your horses style. I ride and teacher etc... English i have my own ranch. I like English better. But you should probably stay with English.

Answer 9

you should stick to what you AND your horse perform best in.