June 2009

Im looking into taking horseback riding lessons one place offers both English and Western Style, the other place, that looks more interesting, only offers English style, thats why Im interested in the difference. Also I couldn't fit this into the question area, What is dressage and what is Hunt seat? I looked them both up online, but I dont understand too much of horseback riding information, so I don't quite understand what both are and the difference for that as well. Thanks in advance for helping.

There are many differences between english and western riding styles, the most obvious being the difference in tack. Tack, which encompases the sadddle and bridle, as well as any other “gear” the horse might wear, differs signifigantly between western and english. If you were to ride western, you would use a western saddle, which has a horn (the thing in the front of the saddle that sticks up), and a much deeper wider seat. On the other hand, if you were to ride english, you would use an english saddle, which has no horn, and flatter, shallower seat. Western riders are often western pleasure riders (which is a different riding style within western, like barrel racing or pole bending) which calls for the horse to have a very lopey sittable gait and carry their head very low. The rider is suppposed to make the ride look relaxed, controlled, and give the illusion of easyness. English style, which i ride, is more of a formal, riding style that calls for controll, and obedience. Technically, english riding can be more detail oriented, and there are more technical things that the rider must know, such as controll and use of their legs, seat, and hands. However, just like western, “english” only names the discipline one rides and not the type ie. hunter, jumper, eventer, or equitation. As for your other question, dresage is another style of english riding that takes the technicality of riding even higer, and requires its participants to be able to complete complex manuvers on the flat. Hunt seat applies to english riding also, and is the way that the rider uses her seat, hands, and legs together often while jumping over obstacles. It was meant to mimic the style of riding that fox hunters displayed. I appoligize for the lenghty explanation, but i hope it helps

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