Is Western or English better?

Question

I have aexperience in Western riding (not a ton). But, I am not looking to compete. Plus, I don't really feel the need to "go fast." Should I give Englislh a try?

Obtaining tack is not a problem for either discipline. Our barn has both for lesson horses.

ml_lansin said that he did hack shows. Isn't a hack kind of like a trail and how whould you show that?

Answer 1

IF U LIKE FAST PACE THEN ENGLISH ISNT REALLY FOR U. WHY DONT U TRY CUTTING, CROSS COUNTRY OR EVENTING. THEY ALL TAKE DISCIPLINE WHICH IS REQUIRED FOR ALL... ANOTHER OPTION IF U R INTERESTED COULD BE RACING AND BEING A JOCKEY IF U R UP TO THAT.................

Answer 2

Both have their strengths and weaknesses. Which ever you prefer is the way to go and there is no reason as to why you and your horse cannot do both. When you get to showing it gets pricey to buy two sets of tack and two outfits but You can purchase safe yet economically priced work/ pleasure tack from discount stores like jeffers and valley vet, so obtaining both styles of tack is not a problem, borrowing is also an option too. The styles are not quite as different as you may think, western is great if you want to ride the trails and relax for a long period(it was developed by cattlemen who spent hours in the saddle) and English is great if you want to jump or go on a hack. Any horse can be trained to do both and riding English will strengthen your muscles for all types of riding where western will improve your balance and your seat. You do not have to choose only one, do both! Good Luck!

Answer 3

Well, I would not follow anything that Otter..Woman says at all. Amazingly that both western and english are wanting their horses to be light and responsive to the aids. The basics are the same for both. English horses are not weaker nor any better or worse behaved than western horses. The main difference is the saddle, since the western saddle is designed to displace the riders weight over a larger area of the back due to the long days on the range. The horn on the western saddle was meant for roping.
Try english if you want, you probably will enjoy it. With english there are many different disciplines hunter/jumper/dressage/three-day eventing, etc. Same with western there are different disciplines cutting, reining, penning, etc. You will find something that you absolutely love along the way, but in the mean time you will learn so much and realize that the disciplines and english and western are really not that unlike each other. No matter what anyone has to say.

Answer 4

Both are great disciplines to ride. And you can learn a lot from trying both styles of riding. I myself gained better balance after riding English. And in both English and Western you can go slow or fast. And I have also tried dressage, ridden Saddlebreds on a flat saddle, tried jumping (way scary at first, but still fun) and ridden Paso Finos in their saddle. And enjoyed every minute. And learned something every time. I now team rope on the same horse that I also show in Western Pleasure, and in Hunter Under Saddle. So I would go for it and see which you and your horse enjoy most.

Answer 5

Yes give english a try. Its great fun and you get to JUMP! If you want to go slow though stick with western. In english you can go fast and when you do go forward it is always collected and controlled. While i have found western to be more relaxed in a sense, English is very disciplined. I am most certainly not saying that you can't be relaxed with english. I would say take a few english lessons and pick which one you like more. This is really what YOU want. I also don't know your situation. Is you horse willing to do both? Remember you don't get to jump right away so be patient.

My key point: Try 'em both and pick the one you like better

Answer 6

As a rider,try anything you feel you have an interest in.Western is relaxed and laid-back,comfortable,but also can be very exciting(depending on whether you're trail riding or doing team roping I guess,for example).English has different things to offer.I like Western because it's great for a lazy day of trail riding,and an easy lope in the field.I like English because it's so perfectionist,I guess.Give it a try,you never know how you feel until you do!

Answer 7

Personally, I love english. I ride dressage- every day me and my horse are working on something new- you can never be at the top and have learn everything. Always a level to go up/
If you don't want to do a complete change, you could go to western pleasure. Or just do pleasure riding and ride slower- if you aren't competing, go at your pace in your tack- just have fun.
I am not a fast rider either- my horse's working canter is slower than her trot, lol which is great for my discipline, but sucks when I enter barrel competitions (just for fun and a change of pace- we would never place). Truthfully, I also hate the flat trot of w or e pleasure, and a downhill canter desired in w p and found in most w horses- not fun for me to ride at all.

Answer 8

It depends. Some people consider western to be more "fun", but english can also be great. I have never ridden western myself, only english. However, my friend has tried it and she seems to think it is great. If you'd like, try english. But don't go and spend a huge amount of money on fancy new english tack until you've decided if you like it or not. English is really about balancing your horse and doing dressage- all sorts of fun (but difficult) stuff. And if you think english doesn't really sound like your thing, then don't worry.

Answer 9

Neither are truly better. It's mainly what fits you, your style, your preference, and your needs. In western, we don't always "go fast." I enjoy running and all but in western I try to walk 3/4 of everything with my horse, if not more. If you're not sure what you want it would be a good idea to try English. You can always go back to Western if you don't like it.

Answer 10

Western riding is easier on the rider as you are much safer when mounting and dismounting.It is more comfortable on the rider and will not cause knee strain.You are also in better control of a horse that you do not know.
English is a lighter saddle so if you have a horse that is forced to live in a barn situation and not a natural pasture situation and is weak that might be the way to go.Engllish saddles are cheaper then a good western saddle and looks "fancy" so if you are into looks then eastern is your way to go.
I recommend western if you are a beginning rider,less chance of getting hurt. If you dont do any real riding and just stay on fenced areas and are surrounded by other humans that can help you mount and dismount safely then go english.

Answer 11

someone that wants to better thereself as a rider it would be good to give english a try. so u can decide what is best for u. i have ridden alot of both english and western and i perfer western. i perfer western because ur not so much in the horses face( lighter in the bit). more relaxed. also if u want to get better balance i would suggest english and bareback. i dont think one is better than the other, i just think u should try both if u have not and decide which one u perfer and enjoy more.