English Versus Western Riding Techniques
Differences Between English and Western Saddles, Bridles, Stirrups
Sep 28, 2009
Dude ranch or Spanish castle? A horse-packing wilderness trip or the English hunt? Riding the range or riding to hounds?
The basic division in riding styles and equestrian vacations is English versus western riding. To picture the difference, simply think about cowboys roping cattle in a western movie versus red-coated riders chasing a fox across the English countryside. Of course, few equestrian vacations involve either roping cattle or killing foxes, but the differences in style hold true.
Western Saddles Versus English Saddles
The most obvious difference between English and western riding is the saddle. Many beginning riders find that western riding seems easier, in part because the saddle feels a lot more substantial, with its big saddle horn and deep seat. It's a bit like the difference between a pick-up truck and a sports car.
And indeed, the western saddle was designed for working comfort, for riding long hours on the range. But that big horn in the front? Tempting as it is to hang on to it for dear life, the saddle horn is not for clinging to. Its function is to tie and hang a lariat, used in roping cattle.
Another difference: unlike English riders, Western riders rarely jump, as jumping high obstacles requires the rider to lean forward, out of the saddle, which puts the rider directly (and possibly painfully) over a western saddle horn. In contrast, English saddles have no horns, and it is in English riding that jumping is done. This makes sense, considering that English hunter-jumpers frequently have to cross the many traditional stone walls that criss-cross the English countryside, whereas American western riding originated in the unfenced open range (and even when fences were introduced, they were barbed wire, which horses can't see to jump over).
The difference in saddles also affects the way riders sit. English saddles have extra padding under the knees, which is helpful for jumping. and posting to the trot (moving up and down in synchronicity with the horse's bounciest gait), so English riders sit farther forward. Western riders sit farther back – and they don't spend much time trotting.
Western Stirrups Versus English Stirrups
Stirrups are where riders put their feet. In western tack, they tend to be large and wooden; in English tack, they are smaller and made of metal.
English riders use their knees to pull them forward out of the saddle for posting and jumping, and generally wear their stirrups a bit shorter to make leaning forward easier. English riders put the balls of their feet on the stirrups and press their heels down toward the ground, which helps create a good center of balance. Western riders generally ride with longer stirrups, and hence, straighter legs.
Western Bridles Versus English Bridles
The bridle is the contraption of leather that goes over the horse's head, holding the bit in place. A typical western bridle is held in place by having a hole that goes over one of the horse's ears. An English bridle is more symmetrical.
The bit is a piece of metal that goes through the horse's mouth. Reins are attached to the bit, and the rider holds the other end of the reins and uses them to communicate with the horse. The signals are different in English and western riding.
English riders hold the reins in two hands. The rider pulls left to turn left, and right to turn right. In western riding, the rider holds the reins in one hand, and communicates the desired direction to the horse via pressure of the reins against the horse's neck. In both English and western riding, pulling back on the reins is a sign to stop, and in both types of riding, skilled riders can be identified by their low and quiet hands.
Although there are many differences between the two styles of riding (and there are variations on English and western styles, as well), both rely on a solid, balanced seat, legs tight against the horse, and quiet, gentle hands. A rider who masters these basic horseback riding techniques will be ready to choose any type of equestrian vacation and adapt to the style required.
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