[dollyhorse101]

I focus mostly on English but I've been doing Western and English my whole life. I guess I'm an OK Western rider and I've done lots of shows western, but, partly because my horse isn't really western, we're not very good at it. My position isn't too good and there's stuff to improve. I mostly do neck reining but neither me or my horse mind it either way. Does anyone have some tips on how to ride western better? I have a picture of me at a show. It's not the best picture, but it's the only I really have. Please be nice when critiquing, as this is not what I focus on. I do however want some good advice on how to improve my riding, and maybe how to make my horse a little more relaxed and slow.


My biggest problem would probably be sitting back on my seat bones. But anything else will help tremendously. Thanks!

[EmazingCasper]

Yes, I second sitting back on your seat bone, and that will help with your horse slowing down, but of course there is other steps that play along with that. Also really keep your weight down in your heels, and work on giving your horse more reins for his/her head, and slowing him down with your legs, and seat. When your horse knows what he is doing, like how my horse was trained, he/she will slow and collect, when you squeeze your legs. I like your horse though!

[kodemiester]

Originally Posted by EmazingCasper

Yes, I second sitting back on your seat bone, and that will help with your horse slowing down, but of course there is other steps that play along with that. Also really keep your weight down in your heels, and work on giving your horse more reins for his/her head, and slowing him down with your legs, and seat. When your horse knows what he is doing, like how my horse was trained, he/she will slow and collect, when you squeeze your legs. I like your horse though!

Agree. If you want to slow your horse down, use stops and roll backs. xD They work. Also using easy voice commands like "easy" helps. At least with my two horses that i am training for W.P work . They know they don't have to run like a banche and can slow down to do their job. Hoped that helped some.

[PinkHorse]

Roll your shoulders back and sit up very tall but with a deep seat. Close your hips to encourage your horse to collect and slow down. Open them to ask for an increase in speed.

Take control of your free arm. It shouldn't look like it's hanging there loose and floppy.

Your riding hand should be in front of the horn and in the middle of the horse unless you're turning.

It's probably your saddle but you need to get your legs under yourself. They're too far forward.

You've got your eyes up, your back is straight and your horse looks like he's enjoying himself. Off to a great start I'd say!

[Alouette]

Originally Posted by PinkHorse

Roll your shoulders back and sit up very tall but with a deep seat. Close your hips to encourage your horse to collect and slow down. Open them to ask for an increase in speed.

Take control of your free arm. It shouldn't look like it's hanging there loose and floppy.

Your riding hand should be in front of the horn and in the middle of the horse unless you're turning.

It's probably your saddle but you need to get your legs under yourself. They're too far forward.

You've got your eyes up, your back is straight and your horse looks like he's enjoying himself. Off to a great start I'd say!

And just relax. When I started riding western, I had a hard to staying back. I used to do hunter/jumper stuff, so I was used to that. I always remembered to sit back on my pockets, so that's how I knew how far back to sit.

[Tallpine]

Well, I'm going to disagree ...

Most modern western saddles are designed wrong, and tend to make you sit back against the cantle where you shouldn't be.

If you ride what I consider "correctly" you will be in the center of the saddle and up on the built-up part of the seat that most western saddles unfortunately have (except for the old cowboy saddles). That will put your legs more under you too. As far as I'm concerned, there isn't that much difference between good seat and leg position in (non-jumping) english and western riding.

That probably won't win you any ribbons at WP classes, but will help you stay on out on the trail when your horse spooks, or chasing a cow.

You can tell me that I'm "wrong", but my horse tells me that this way of riding is better.

[Alouette]

Originally Posted by Tallpine

Well, I'm going to disagree ...

Most modern western saddles are designed wrong, and tend to make you sit back against the cantle where you shouldn't be.

If you ride what I consider "correctly" you will be in the center of the saddle and up on the built-up part of the seat that most western saddles unfortunately have (except for the old cowboy saddles). That will put your legs more under you too. As far as I'm concerned, there isn't that much difference between good seat and leg position in (non-jumping) english and western riding.

That probably won't win you any ribbons at WP classes, but will help you stay on out on the trail when your horse spooks, or chasing a cow.

You can tell me that I'm "wrong", but my horse tells me that this way of riding is better.

Lol you're saying pretty much what everyone else is saying.

The only true difference in seat position for horsemanship/western eq. is that your stirrups are longer.

[Tallpine]

Well, it just seems like the "Western Pleasure" style of riding is to roll your butt back against the cantle which practically guarantees a "chair seat"

[endurgirl]

The only thing that bothers me about your pic is your tight reins. The dangling arm takes away from the eye appeal too, maybe put some bend in your elbow or rest it on your thigh.

[Alouette]

Originally Posted by Tallpine

Well, it just seems like the "Western Pleasure" style of riding is to roll your butt back against the cantle which practically guarantees a "chair seat"

No, definitely not. Just when you ride a western pleasure horse, you want to relax and sit deep, shoulders back. I never have my butt against the cantle, that would be strange.