An introduction to Western riding

What is the definition of Western riding? Can I be considered a Western rider if my saddle has a horn or if I use one hand to neck rein my horse? Is Western riding seen as less refined than English riding? Is it solely for cowboys? Within the equine industry, while there are numerous specific disciplines, it is widely accepted that there are two main categories of riding: English and Western. This article aims to address commonly asked questions, including those mentioned earlier, and provide an understanding of the essence of Western riding.

Tack – saddles and bridles

Saddles

The Western saddle of today originated in the Western United States and Mexico, where cattle handling is primarily done while riding on horseback. Compared to an English saddle, a Western saddle is heavier and more durable because it is used for demanding work. For example, the saddle horn, made from a sturdy wooden tree, is designed to withstand the forceful jerk and pull of wild cattle on a rope. The back cinch, which is also specific to the Western saddle, helps keep the saddle secure against the pressure and traction exerted by a cow on a rope, preventing it from slipping off the horse’s back.

Bridles

The majority of the discrepancies between Western and English bridles are mainly cosmetic, but there are a few points of contrast that can be observed.

The reins on English bridles are typically made of thin leather and they run from the bit to the rider’s hands. They are then buckled together to create a single, continuous rein. In contrast, Western bridles commonly use split reins. These reins are separate from each other and can measure 7′ to 8′ long. They can be used with one or two hands, as we will discuss later.

When comparing Western and English riding, one may observe a difference in the types of bits used. While the snaffle bit is the most frequently used in English riding, it is also used in Western riding. However, as the horse and rider progress in their training, the curb or leverage bit becomes more common in Western riding. Additionally, the curb bit is closely associated with neck reining, which is a technique specific to Western riding.

Riding style

In my perspective, the similarities between English and Western riding outweigh the differences. Effective horsemanship is universal, where riders strive to communicate well with their horses and possess the necessary body control for any maneuver.

It may be surprising, but the two riding styles are actually quite similar. Posting is a prime example of this (refer to the sidebar below). It has been suggested that English riders post while Western riders sit the trot, but I don’t think this is accurate. Every skilled rider, regardless of their discipline or equipment, should learn to post and feel at ease while doing so when the horse prolongs their trot. This is beneficial for the horse’s physical well-being and ultimately provides a more comfortable experience for the rider.

You might have been told that horses in English riding canter while horses in Western riding lope. However, these terms actually refer to the same three-beat gait in each discipline. Both English and Western riding can involve the horse performing the gait in a collected or extended manner.

Depending on the horse’s training level and the rider’s horsemanship style, they can ride Western either one-handed or two-handed. One-handed riding, also known as “neck reining,” originated in Western riding to allow the rider to handle a rope or stock whip with one hand while guiding the horse with the other. This skill has become useful in both Western and English riding. In Western competitions, certain classes mandate one-handed riding, while other classes allow for two-handed riding.

Of course, a number of different techniques make Western riding unique. Because of the additional leather on a Western saddle and its fenders, the rider does not have as much leg contact with the horse’s body. This will immediately feel different if you have exclusively ridden English. Also, a Western rider’s posture will differ slightly. When riding Western, a rider will sit back on his or her back pockets, keeping the shoulders above the hips. In contrast, English riders will often ride with their body posture slightly forward. However, the rule for both disciplines is heels down with just the ball of your foot resting in the stirrup.

Tips for trying Western

If you have an English horse and want to ride it Western style, there’s no reason why you can’t do both. Just remember a few things when putting a Western saddle on your English horse for the first time.

• The Western saddle generally has more weight, leather and additional attachments your horse might not be used to. Take the time to introduce the new saddle in a safe environment to help build his comfort and confidence.
• Pay attention to saddle fit, as this might look different from what you’re used to. One general consideration in fitting the Western saddle is to look underneath the gullet (directly beneath the saddle horn) to make sure there’s clearance between your horse’s withers and the top of the gullet. You don’t want a saddle that sits too low in the gullet. This pressure point will begin to rub and make your horse sore.
• Western saddles have different parts than English saddles, so be sure to familiarize yourself with these variances before tacking up. For instance, many Western saddles have a separate back cinch along with the traditional front cinch. This back cinch is a valuable piece of equipment, but will feel very foreign to a horse that has not been properly introduced to it. Slowly introduce the back cinch while working the horse on the ground. Start with the cinch loose, and gradually tighten it closer to the horse’s belly as she acclimates to this foreign ticklish feeling.
• When riding English, there’s not much to hold you in — or hold onto — when horses spook or move quickly. Advanced English riders often develop a very good sense of balance and timing without having a large Western saddle to help hold them in. In certain situations, you might find more security with the added surface area and handhold (that saddle horn isn’t just for roping!) that the Western saddle provides.

Different Types of Western Riding 

To put it simply, Western Pleasure is an arena sport where participants ride together and instruct their horses to walk, jog, and lope in both directions when directed by the announcer.

Your aim is for your horse to stand out as the top mover in the group, with high placement in a pleasure class, where easy-going, easy-to-ride, and natural gaits are preferred.

This is most suitable for riders who:

• Enjoy fine-tuning their horse’s performance
• Don’t want to memorize patterns
• Can make even a bumpy horse look very comfortable

Ideal for horses who are best suited:

• Naturally don’t want to get anywhere in a hurry but remain responsive to aids
• Use their bodies well to push from behind and lift their shoulders
• Stay calm even when strange horses are in the mix

What should I wear?

• Crisp and colorful long sleeve western collared shirt
• Western show pants ( like these comfy show pants from Hobby Hors e) or jeans and chaps
• Square or pointed-toe cowboy boots
• Most riders wear cowboy hats… but we always recommend a helmet instead

To put it simply, Western Horsemanship classes focus on evaluating your skills as a rider in the Western style.

In reality, there are two components involved: a rail class that functions similarly to a Western Pleasure class with the judge emphasizing on you, and a predetermined pattern that you need to familiarize yourself with.

This is most suitable for riders who: Are skilled in riding motorbikes.

• Have correct posture in the saddle
• Can use their aids imperceptibly
• Manage to make a bouncy horse look smooth as glass
• Can remember a pattern

Ideal for horses that:

• Respond promptly to all aids
• Know a little more than just walk, jog and lope, since the pattern requires additional maneuvers
• Stays slow, since these patterns are often on the small side

What clothing should be worn?

• Fun long sleeve western show shirt, jacket, or vest (Bling encouraged!)
• Western show pants or jeans and chaps
• Square or pointed-toe cowboy boots (check out our 16 best cowboy boots )
• Most riders wear cowboy hats… but we always recommend a helmet instead

Reining

Simply put, reining is a class where the horse and rider perform specific movements derived from herding cattle.

The entire pattern is executed at a lope or gallop, with the aim of achieving a smooth appearance while riding and handling the horse, as well as making the horse appear content and willing to perform the requested tasks. Precise execution is crucial.

Most suitable for riders who:

• Aren’t afraid to go fast
• Like to perform accurate patterns
• Strive to be as in-tune with their horse as possible

Ideal for horses that:

• Can speed up and slow down without breaking gait
• Know how to do flying lead changes
• Have strong haunches for sliding stops, spins, rein-backs and roll-backs

What should I wear?

• Solid color or subtle print long sleeve western collared shirt
• Jeans with chinks or chaps — plus a belt
• Square or pointed-toe cowboy boots
• Most riders wear cowboy hats… but we always recommend a helmet instead

Cutting

Put simply, the sport of cutting developed from the skill of a horse and rider in separating cows from the group for the purpose of receiving medical treatment, branding, or undergoing inspections.

Surprisingly, the horse performs a significant amount of the work, as the primary goal of a cutting competition is to demonstrate the horse’s ability in preventing a cut cow from rejoining its herd.

The rider has a time limit of two-and-a-half minutes to choose and separate two cows from the herd.

Ideal for riders who:

• Can sit balanced in the saddle no matter what the horse is doing
• Know how to trust their horse, because interfering with the horse earns low marks

Ideal for horses that:

• Are bred for “ cow instinct ”
• Have a sense of independence and are willing to do their job

What clothing should be worn?

• Solid color or subtle print long sleeve western collared shirt
• Jeans with chinks or chaps — plus a belt
• Square or pointed-toe cowboy boots
• Most riders wear cowboy hats… but we always recommend a helmet instead

Team Penning

In summary, team penning is a timed activity wherein teams consisting of three horses and riders participate.

In the given scenario, each cow in the herd is marked with a distinct number, and teams are assigned specific numbers to select and relocate from the herd to a separate enclosure within a time limit of 60 seconds.

Ideal for individuals who:

• Love a bit of adrenaline
• Can multi-task and think ahead
• Know how to move their horse’s shoulders and hindquarters

Ideal for horses who:

• Can respond quickly to aids
• Are brave and confident around cattle
• Have the athleticism to start, stop and turn on a dime.

What clothing should be worn?

• Solid color or subtle print long sleeve western collared shirt
• Jeans with chinks or chaps — plus a belt
• Square or pointed-toe cowboy boots
• Most riders wear cowboy hats… but we always recommend a helmet instead

Breakaway Roping

To put it simply: The aim in breakaway roping is to quickly rope a calf. The calf is given a head start, and you and your horse can begin pursuing it once the rope in front of you is released.

First, you lasso the calf’s neck, then you dally the rope and command your horse to stop. The rope is specifically designed to come off the calf’s neck, and as soon as this occurs, the timer ceases counting.

Ideal for riders who:

• Have really good aim with a lasso
• Possess good reflexes for starting and stopping
• Are strong enough to dally the rope

Ideal for horses that:

• Know how to do halt to canter/gallop transitions better than a racehorse
• Stop promptly and strongly when asked
• Aren’t afraid of calves or ropes

What should be worn:

• Solid color or subtle print long sleeve western collared shirt
• Jeans with chinks or chaps — plus a belt
• Square or pointed-toe cowboy boots
• Most riders wear cowboy hats… but we always recommend a helmet instead

Team Roping

In summary, team roping involves two horses and riders positioned on opposite sides of the cattle chute. The rider designated as the header has the responsibility of lassoing the steer’s head, securing the rope, and directing the steer towards the left side.

The steer’s hind legs are exposed to the second rider, known as the heeler, whose aim is to rope both back legs. The team that completes the task the fastest emerges as the winner!

Ideally suitable for riders who:

• Have really good aim with a lasso
• Like to go fast
• Are strong enough to dally the rope

Ideal for horses that:

• Know how to do halt to canter/gallop transitions better than a racehorse
• Stop promptly and strongly when asked
• Aren’t afraid of calves or ropes

What should be worn:

• Solid color or subtle print long sleeve western collared shirt
• Jeans with chinks or chaps — plus a belt
• Square or pointed-toe cowboy boots
• Most riders wear cowboy hats… but we always recommend a helmet instead

Related posts:

Barrel Racing 101: Selecting the proper equipment FEEL THE NEED FOR SPEED? TRY THESE 5 TECHNIQUES WITH YOUR BARREL HORSE Train Your Reining Horse to Spin Western Pleasure Work Out