western Riding
What is the difference between English and Western riding?
I ride English and I know the difference has to do with posting and things like that, but I was just looking for a more exact definition of each?
Thanks in advance!
(The best answer will be picked as Best Answer!)
Thanks to you all! Every answer was very helpful! The websites helped out a lot too! 
Western riding developed according to the needs of 'cowboys'. The Western saddle is made to distribute weight more evenly over the horse’s back so horse and rider can counterbalance the weight of a roped cow. The seat is comfortable for long
English riding takes many of its traditions and equipment from European mounted military styles.
Basics of What You’ll Need to Know:
Western riders will learn how to hold the reins with one hand, and sit the trot. English riders will learn to hold a rein in each hand and post the trot. As you progress you will learn to cue and control your horse for different speeds within each gait, and other skills you’ll need to participate in various disciplines. If you plan to compete, you’ll need to learn to braid or band a mane, pull a tail, and other grooming details depending on what you are competing in.
An excellent Web-Site to read more is
http://horses.about.com/od/horsesportsexplained/p/engwestdiff.htm
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Bull Riding Decal 01 Decal Western/Rodeo Sticker 8" |  |
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US $5.99 | 1d 9h 38m |
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Hilason Treeless Western Trail Riding Saddle 17 | |
0 Bid | US $349.00 | 1d 22h 46m |
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Hilason Treeless Western Trail Riding Saddle 16 | |
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Hilason Treeless Western Trail Riding Saddle 17 | |
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Bull Riding Decal # 35 Decal Western Rodeo 6" | |
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Bull Riding Decal #46 Western Rodeo Truck Sticker 6" | |
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Bull Riding Decal #40 Western Rodeo Truck Sticker 6" | |
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US $3.99 | 29d 5h 52m |
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Hilason Western Flex Barrel Racing Trail Riding Saddle | |
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Hilason Western Flex Barrel Racing Trail Riding Saddle | |
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US $449.00 | 25d 23h 4m |
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Hilason Treeless Western Trail Riding Saddle 17 | |
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Hilason Western Flex Barrel Racing Trail Riding Saddle | |
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US $449.00 | 24d 16h 9m |
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Western Child's Saddle - 10" - 12". Comes w/Riding Hat | |
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US $450.00 | 21d 22h 1m |
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Hilason Treeless Western Trail Riding Saddle 16 | |
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English Western Riding Crop Horse Tack YELLOW | |
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US $12.99 | 24d 14h 53m |
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Hilason Treeless Western Trail Riding Saddle 17 | |
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US $399.00 | 20d 17h 54m |
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Hilason Treeless Western Trail Riding Saddle 16 | |
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US $399.00 | 20d 17h 44m |
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Hilason Treeless Western Trail Riding Saddle 16 | |
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US $374.00 | 20d 17h 10m |
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Horn Cap Saddle Cover Horse Riding Tack Western | |
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US $10.75 | 20d 20h 58m |
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Hilason Rodeo Bronc Riding Western Saddle 15 1/2 Seat | |
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Hilason Western Flex Barrel Racing Trail Riding Saddle | |
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HILASON RODEO BRONC RIDING WESTERN SADDLE SEAT 16 1/4 | |
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US $599.00 | 19d 18h 40m |
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HORSE RIDING SADDLE 1850 PATENT Print western english | |
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Hilason Treeless Western Trail Riding Saddle 15 | |
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Hilason Treeless Western Trail Riding Saddle 16 | |
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US $374.00 | 12d 19h 34m |
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American Saddlery Western Horse Trail Riding Saddle 15" | |
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14" Texas Trail Western Riding Saddle | |
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New Custom Designed Rare Western Trick Riding Saddle 16 | |
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Alamo Western Saddle 16" -New- Pleasure/Trail Riding | |
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US $595.00 | 10d 16h 15m |
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Hilason Treeless Western Trail Riding Saddle 16 | |
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US $374.00 | 7d 19h 13m |
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New Custom Designed Rare Western Trick Riding Saddle 16 | |
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US $699.00 | 6d 18h 43m |
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Hilason Treeless Western Trail Riding Saddle 17 | |
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US $374.00 | 2d 16h 7m |
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L@@K TOOLED LEATHER WESTERN SADDLE 14.5" HORSE RIDING | |
1 Bid | US $100.00 | 3d 21h 12m |
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Riding western saddle, pony, small, children's | |
1 Bid | US $.99 | 7d 20h 47m |
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Big Sky Riding Skirt Pattern Sale Price: $18.00 Average Rating:   |
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Bring out the cowgirl in you! Equestrian women of the early 20th century, who were determined to ride astride rather than sidesaddle, wore these divided skirts. An ingenious fashion, with front panel that buttons one way for a skirt and the other way for pants... |
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Horse Riding: Western
What is English or Western riding?
I've been thinking of starting riding lessons, but i've noticed that a lot of people on YA! have been talking about english or western?
and what is dressage?
Contrary to what others have said, neither is necessarily more costly than the other, neither is necessarily harder, etc.
They are different. There are lots of options in either. Western is NOT just rodeo, barrel racing, etc.--it includes performance events like Western Pleasure, Reining, Horsemanship, etc.
I show and ride both. In the last twenty years, I've done trail riding (E&W), speed events (W), western pleasure (W), horsemanship (W), reining (W), western riding (W), dressage (E), hunters (E), equitation (E), aqha hunter under saddle (E), aha hunter pleasure (E), jumpers (E), etc. on different horses. I love it all.
There is a difference in saddles, but that extends beyond just disciplines. Western saddles have different styles as well for different styles of riding--speed events, pleasure saddles, trail saddles, endurance, etc. English saddles include dressage, forward seat, close contact, etc.
Don't panic over it now. The important thing is that you find a good, reputable, safe barn with safe, solid lesson horses--any discipline. Get your feet wet around the horses and talk to people there about the disciplines. As you learn to ride, you'll figure out what you like most. Then you can choose your discipline based on that, not on someone else's opinion (asking whether English or Western is better is like asking someone if they like blue or red better...it's totally up to each person).
Google the two and look at pictures of different styles. That'll give you an idea of what you're getting into.
Tags: clothing, equestrian, horses, riding, western, western riding, western riding apparel, western riding boots, western riding boots for women, western riding chaps, western riding helmets, western riding spurs
