English/ Western training

lazbebe · 01-30-2006, 06:02 PM

I am realitively new to the horse world and just got my first horse a few weeks ago. Now we are looking for a horse for my husband and am hoping that you all can help answer a question we have. As we are searching for horses, we see that they are trained for English (we ride western). Our question is this:
Is there a big difference in the training so that we could not ride a horse western who is trained English? Should we look only for horses who are trained in Western?

Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated!!

dreamngold · 01-30-2006, 08:15 PM

Well, there isn't much of a difference in western and english. The saddle is quite a bit different but that comes more into play with you, although some horses do become a but "cinchy". Or they don't like the other type of saddle or girth. I would make sure they are okay with the western saddle on. Also, if the horse is trained western pleasure, they are trained to have slower going gaits. English horses have a more freer way of going. That is the only difference really. And enlgish horses wouldn't know how to neck rein. They direct rein only. Hope I have helped a bit.

lvmypnt · 01-31-2006, 10:26 AM

An English trained horse can be taught to have the slower WP gait and can be taught too neck rein and teaching either is fairly simple. Alot of horses are trained for both.

Shotgun93 · 01-31-2006, 10:37 AM

The only big difference is really just the saddle. The training is virtually the same, the horse should still go and stop, yield to pressure and listen to the riders seat and legs.

Friesiangirl · 01-31-2006, 10:43 AM

is it just me, but i noticed in english, we don't kick the sides, we push, but in western, i see a lot of riders kick...?

lvmypnt · 01-31-2006, 10:52 AM

i dont think there is a "kick" rule in western. I just put light pressure on Della. Now if she is being stubborn or not paying attention to me then i will have to use a little more force.

Friesiangirl · 01-31-2006, 10:54 AM

^ yeah, i've seen people do that too (like my self lol) but there's western riders at our barn (well, most of them are anyways)and they kick mostly, kick and whip lol

lvmypnt · 01-31-2006, 11:02 AM

I think some people that ride western just really try to "Cowboy" it up for looks and just because they can.

Friesiangirl · 01-31-2006, 11:02 AM

^ so true, it's a shame too, you can ruin horses that way

lvmypnt · 01-31-2006, 11:03 AM

yeah it really is, but i guess they think it looks cool kicking and a whipping.

01-30-2006, 06:02 PM	#1
lazbebe Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 10 Images: 1 Blog Entries: 4	English/ Western training I am realitively new to the horse world and just got my first horse a few weeks ago. Now we are looking for a horse for my husband and am hoping that you all can help answer a question we have. As we are searching for horses, we see that they are trained for English (we ride western). Our question is this: Is there a big difference in the training so that we could not ride a horse western who is trained English? Should we look only for horses who are trained in Western? Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated!!

01-30-2006, 08:15 PM	#2
dreamngold Full Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ontario. Posts: 287 Images: 50	Well, there isn't much of a difference in western and english. The saddle is quite a bit different but that comes more into play with you, although some horses do become a but "cinchy". Or they don't like the other type of saddle or girth. I would make sure they are okay with the western saddle on. Also, if the horse is trained western pleasure, they are trained to have slower going gaits. English horses have a more freer way of going. That is the only difference really. And enlgish horses wouldn't know how to neck rein. They direct rein only. Hope I have helped a bit. __________________ Life without horses? I think not!!!

01-31-2006, 10:37 AM	#4
Shotgun93 Senior Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Southwest SD Posts: 13,786 Images: 132	The only big difference is really just the saddle. The training is virtually the same, the horse should still go and stop, yield to pressure and listen to the riders seat and legs. __________________ In the quiet light of the stable, you hear a muffled snort, the stamp of a hoof, a friendly nicker. Gentle eyes inquire, "How was your day old friend?" and suddenly, all your troubles fade away. -Author Unknown

01-31-2006, 10:43 AM	#5
Friesiangirl Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Monroe, OR Posts: 9,547 Images: 192 Blog Entries: 22	is it just me, but i noticed in english, we don't kick the sides, we push, but in western, i see a lot of riders kick...? __________________ *Life is like cheese and fine wine- it gets better everyday!* Le Concurs Complet, C'est ma countre-drogue

01-31-2006, 10:54 AM	#7
Friesiangirl Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Monroe, OR Posts: 9,547 Images: 192 Blog Entries: 22	^ yeah, i've seen people do that too (like my self lol) but there's western riders at our barn (well, most of them are anyways)and they kick mostly, kick and whip lol __________________ *Life is like cheese and fine wine- it gets better everyday!* Le Concurs Complet, C'est ma countre-drogue

01-31-2006, 10:26 AM	#3
lvmypnt Senior Member+ Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,847 Images: 70	An English trained horse can be taught to have the slower WP gait and can be taught too neck rein and teaching either is fairly simple. Alot of horses are trained for both.

01-31-2006, 10:52 AM	#6
lvmypnt Senior Member+ Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,847 Images: 70	i dont think there is a "kick" rule in western. I just put light pressure on Della. Now if she is being stubborn or not paying attention to me then i will have to use a little more force.

01-31-2006, 11:02 AM	#8
lvmypnt Senior Member+ Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,847 Images: 70	I think some people that ride western just really try to "Cowboy" it up for looks and just because they can.

01-31-2006, 11:03 AM	#10
lvmypnt Senior Member+ Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,847 Images: 70	yeah it really is, but i guess they think it looks cool kicking and a whipping.

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