What is the difference between English and Western riding styles besides the saddle.?

Question

Besides obvious speed what are the main differences between a walk, trot canter etc.

Answer 1

The difference between the walk, trot, and canter for english and western is how far the horse extends. The thing that makes western more comfortable and slower is that the horse is taking smaller steps. They call the trot and canter a "jog" and "lope" respectively. Think about the difference between a person running and a person jogging. The jogging person just like the jogging horse takes shorter steps than the running person or the trotting horse. A horse who is extending his trot in an english trot is bouncier because his bigger steps make his back rise and fall more dramatically than if he's taking smaller steps. Next time you're walking down the street take a few short steps and see how still you can keep your upper body, then try the same thing taking some big steps. You'll see that your upper body moves more when you're taking bigger steps. Because the horse bounces more at the english trot, they developed the posting trot. Post-men in England years ago used these big gated horses so that they could cover ground quickly so that they delivered the mail faster... but that made it pretty uncomfortable because they were riding in the saddle for hours and bouncing up and down all the time, so to make it easier on the horse's back and on the rider. Western riders don't need to posting trot because their horses take small steps so they can stay seated in the saddle comfortably. The canter has the same issues. A loping horse takes smaller steps than a cantering horse. But the footfalls for the jog and trot and for the lope and canter are exactly the same: in the jog/trot, the horse's front outside and hind inside fall at the same time and the front inside and the hind outside at the same time; and in the canter/lope, the hind outside falls, then the hind inside and front outside at the same time, and then the front inside. The english horse simply extends their legs out farther which is what makes english faster than western.

The 2 styles of riding developed for completely different purposes and that's what made the styles and the saddles different. People were riding their horses across the English countryside many centuries ago for the purpose of transportation. Particularly after the enclosure act (which required people to fence their land to be the owner... there wasn't community property anymore), horse and rider had to be prepared for anything that they might come across. As they trotted and cantered across the countryside, they would have to jump over logs or fences, so the rider had to sit more forward so that they would be prepared to 2-point over the jumps. The saddle is smaller and lighter and designed for the rider to sit more forward which enables them to 2-point with short notice. English horse shows were made to judge those same qualities: on the flat, the rider demonstrates their posting and control over the horse in their extended forward motion; riders show over fences and jump a series of jumps to demonstrate how they would be prepared to jump a bunch of fences consecutively; at other shows, riders can actually do cross country races where they deal with fences as well as other land formations like the grass and hills and bodies of water and that sort of thing. The western style of riding was developed for the cowboy who spent the day in his saddle to tend to his herd of cattle. The saddle is bigger with a deep comfortable seat. It has many places where the rider can attach things that he'll need to carry including his cooking supplies, extra rope, maybe guns or knives, a sleeping bag, and other things that you'd need if permanently living outside. The western reins are not buckled together and each one is a lot longer than the english rein... that way, if one broke while the cowboy was out in the field, he could attach the other one to both sides of the bridle and he could continue his business until he had the opportunity to replace the broken rein. Also, the saddle horn was really important because they could tie their rope to it when they lassoed a cow or something like that. Western riders only hold their reins in one hand so that they can do other things with their other hand. Western riders didn't have to be prepared to act quickly because they were always going slowly at a relaxing pace with the herd of cattle that wouldn't move very quickly. Western riding has come into the show ring in many forms too: western horsemanship/pleasure simply showcases the riders control over themselves and their bodies where they try to remain as still as possible while their horses take small steps; they have cattle events where riders will have to rope different parts of the calf or will have to separate one of the animals from the herd; trail classes showcase the horses ability to deal with things that they would come across on the trail... poles stand in for logs or bumps in the earth, there's water boxes like shallow streams a horse would have to cross, there's bridges, there's gates that the rider has to open before moving the horse through and reclosing... all things a rider would encounter taking his horse slowly across the countryside; and they also have fast paced events to showcase their horses agility: things that the horse would need when chasing an escaping cow.

So that's the differences... english is a forward seat and a forward motion where the horse and rider move along quickly and are prepared for anything that should confront them whereas western is a collected deeper comfortable seat where the rider concentrates on his job and the cattle he's tending to.

Answer 2

English style saddles are meant for one thing: to be used on a horse that is running and jumping at high speeds. That's why they have no horn, and generally are so much lighter than a Western or stock saddle. English riders also ride two handed ( we call that direct reining) and Western riders generally ride with only one hand ( neck reining) so the other one is free for roping cattle or doing other chores. There are some subtle differences in the way the horse's four gaits are ridden in each style, but in general they are the same. One exeception to the two handed rule in English riding happens in the sport of Polo. Polo players ride with their left hand on the reins and carry a mallet in their right hand. Otherwise, there really isn't much of a difference.

Answer 3

English and Western disciplines differ in the manner in which the horses are trained, the way they're ridden, and the types of events and maneuvers they're expected to perform. For instance, look at the types of transitions the two disciplines expect. When a western rider asks for a halt (especially in an event like reining) he expects an immediate stop. I knew a reiner who used to say that when he asked for a halt he wanted his horse already backing up. An English, you expect to see a more fluid transition. You want the horse to remain in frame and balanced and you want the transition to look clean and unhurried, very natural. The horses are also worked in two very different frames. Western horses tend to go long with their heads and neck very low. In English, the degree of collection depends chiefly on the discipline. In dressage, for instance, you'll see a dramatic arch in the neck and a head in strict line with the vertical. A horse doing the jumpers might be given a bit more freedom with his head, especially as they approach a jump. Most western riders ride one-handed (unless they have split reins or a green horse), but English riders almost always keep both hands on the reins to have an even and independent contact with the horse's mouth. In English you'll see the forward seat at the canter and posting at the trot, but western disciplines emphasize a deep, secure seat. The western jog is far less animated than the English trot, and not quite as adjustable. In English, you have extended and collected variations of the working gaits, but in western the jog and lope stay basically the same.

Answer 4

Well nothing really......the saddles tho are meant for dif things. Western riding is meant to be trails bcuz the saddle gives you comfort on all day trails. The English gets you closer to youe horse. English sports are dif. too. Jumping, Racing, ETC aren't going to work well with a big bulky western saddle. Barrel Racing, Roping, Bronc Riding, ETC isnt going to work well with a little saddle that you cant keep your foot in the stirrup very well.....you'd fall off in a heartbeat!!! Besides that.....the main difs in speed are the trot....in western, its a jog, a faster version of the trot. the canter is a little faster too, not by much though.....hope that helped (i kno i talked about the saddles unlike you asked but i couldnt help myself!!! i had to i just love the saddle differents......they fascinate me!)

Answer 5

Western horses normally have a lower headset. Also English riders post, while Western riders remain seated. English riders can jump, do dressage, and flat classes. Western riders normally perform in pleasure and speed classes.

Answer 6

Western: Both reins in one hand, neck reining
English: Each rein in each hand

Western: Sitting trot
English: Posting trot

There are many many other subtle yet great differences, these are just the few most obvious.

Answer 7

The discipline is different in both. The horses are also trained differently.