Last week I got a text from a long-time friend (and my former roommate of 9+ years) that said she was thinking about taking riding lessons: should she choose English or Western. My first thought was: YES!!!
And then I thought, I don’t really know what to tell her. Both are great options. Any moment in the saddle is a joyous occasion regardless of what that saddle looks like. Do you agree? English or Western: there is no wrong answer.
Obviously, because I ride English on Knight my Thoroughbred (hunter/jumper), I’m biased toward that pursuit. And in my brain I flashed forward to the day my friend, who is really more like a sister, would be able to ride Knight; she could take on the role of protective auntie.
My sweet friend who just might be the next convert to horse crazy.
We could enjoy my horse together. I could video her riding in the arena and vice versa. I could borrow a horse and we could go on trail and drink in the glory of the sage and eucalyptus. Awww. . .
Then I caught myself and realized this is not about me or Knight–it’s about a full-grown adult potentially transitioning into a budding equestrian/horse girl. The thought arose: what does she hope to get out of riding? Community? Exercise? A way to de-stress after work?
And so I texted back a few initial questions followed by “let’s talk more about this in person this week!”
BTW: My year old, 18 inch County Innovation (extra narrow tree) will soon be for sale. Email me if interested. 🙂
Before I see her, I thought I’d get your input. So I’ll tell you a few details about my friend which might or might not be pertinent in the English v. Western advice giving.
Facts About My Friend
- She grew up on a farm and is comfortable with barn smells (I think she actually likes them).
- She enjoys all animals (except for too-intrusive dogs).
- She never had a horse or got to ride a lot, but she has ridden.
- She seems confident around horses from the ground.
- She relocated to this area (Orange County) about a year ago.
- She is physically strong and looks adorable in workout clothes.
Please Comment: So, devoted horse fans, what are your thoughts? Should she chooes English or Western? How would you advise my friend to make her debut into riding and the horse world?
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I'm Susan and this is my horse Knight. We have been a blogging team since 2015 and we're glad you're here. Tally ho!
I always recommend English. So versatile, trail ride, jump, show, anything you want to do, you can do it in a English saddle. Plus it’s a lot easier to tote around and tack up.
My first response is to see what kind or riding she’s planning on doing, but I’m going to guess that she really doesn’t have any idea what kind she wants to do right now. My first suggestion would be to suggest English to start. She would start to learn all of the different “kinds of English” that are out there. If it’s more than what she’s looking for, and she wants to simply trail ride, maybe western is the one for her. I honestly think that it can’t all be decided without “test driving” both disciplines. Have her take a ride on Knight or another horse to see if English is for her. Is there someone at your barn, that rides western that would be willing to let her test drive.
It really depends. Does she have any interest in possibly jumping? Or does she feel like western is more appealing?
Newbies that I’ve ran across are always confused by an English saddle. “What do you hold on to if there’s no horn?” Oh, honey if only you knew. That being said I will always recommend western because it’s my preference. As to versatility…there are endless disciplines within western to do: trail, western pleasure, horsemanship, reining (who doesn’t want to run full speed at a wall), barrels, western dressage, ranch riding, cutting, it goes on and on. And if she doesn’t want a heavy saddle, there are plenty of synthetics to choose from. Everyone is going to be biased…only she will be able to choose for herself. Since I’m a western girl from head to toe, I want more western riders…. good luck!
I would recommend english to anybody just starting out. I feel that starting out in english and then switching later is an excellent way for a rider to learn about feel, their seat, and proper leg position. In a western saddle, especially on the typical lesson horse, it can be very easy to cheat.
I’m a western rider and very biased – I love watching english riders and have a great respect for them (I love dressage more than life.) but I think western is more fun. That said, I do think it’s good for beginners to start out in an english saddle so they don’t learn to rely on the horn, or the high back. I’d start out doing both, maybe one lesson english, next week, do western. That way she can decide what she likes.
If someone doesn’t know what they want to do, I recommend finding a good beginner trainer, and riding whatever style they teach (versus being set on english or western). While there are many differences between the two, the very basics of good horsemanship are the same, regardless of saddle 🙂
There’s always saddle seat. 🙂
True. Although I am not aware of any people in our immediate area who ride saddle seat.
I’d recommend English. It’s easier to ride western if you’re used to English than it is to ride English if you’ve only done western. So if she learns English and then wants to go on a trail ride or dude ranch vacation, she’ll be good, but if she learns western and then wants to take a lesson with you or take up jumping, it’s not as translatable.
It’s really personal preference. I started out Western as a kid and then switched to English (because I thought it was MUCH more fun to go fast and jump over things!). How fun for you to have a potential future horse friend!!
i am having a really hard time choosing one i love English but the riding place that i go to they don’t jump, which sucks but i also love barrel racing but i don’k like the style so i’m having a really hard time choosing.
Wow!Well, good horsemanship is good horsemanship. I would stick with what is available to you and work on foundational riding skills that transfer over to any discipline. Have fun!