Beginner's Guide to Horse Riding http://beginnersguide.com/horse-riding/ Horse Riding en Copyright 2007 Thu, 27 Jul 2006 20:23:14 +0000 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/?v=3.35 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss History of Western Ridging Western riding, as we know it today evolved in the American West, mostly on cattle ranches. The Spanish conquistadors laid a foundation in bringing their way of riding and working cattle to the New World, which developed further in Mexico and especially California. That was tempered by an influence of North Europeans when they migrated west across the continent. While the Texas cowboy was usually a crude rider and a craftsman at best, the California vaquero was a master, if not an artist in the saddle. With western horse shows become increasingly popular earlier in the 20th century, this kind of riding matured into a standardized sport, a sport which in the last quarter of that century really blossomed and produced some truly outstanding performances in a number of events. The sport of western riding consists of a remarkable variety of events, which make vastly different demands on horse and rider - reining, cutting, reined cow horse, western pleasure, western riding, trail, barrel racing, pole bending, to name the most popular ones.

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/horse-riding/learn-to-ride-western/history-of-western-ridging.php http://beginnersguide.com/horse-riding/learn-to-ride-western/history-of-western-ridging.php Learn To Ride Western Mon, 10 Apr 2006 20:13:37 +0000 Difference Between Western Riding and English Riding The difference between western riding and the riding that's traditional and established throughout most of Europe, called English by western riders, isn't all that significant.

Western riding can be roughly divided into two categories, those who just want to trail ride and have a good time, and those who want to show and have a good time. Those who want to trail ride western should be just as concerned about doing it right as those have to be who present themselves to the scrutinizing eyes of horse show judges, because they owe it to their horses.


The most obvious difference between English and western is that the reins are held in one hand only, at least with mature horses. Horse show rules offer classes for junior horses in which they may be ridden with two hands, but the finished western horse is ridden with just one hand on the reins. Show rules also request the reins to be held in such a way that not more than one finger is between the reins. Good western horses are also ridden with slack in the reins - you just can't impress a judge riding a tight rein. This calls for a training program designed to work more on your horse's mind than on his mouth.

Western horsemanship denotes a style of riding that is something of a departure from the traditional English riding style. Instead of a focus on highly stylized forms, the western technique relies more on the horse's natural gait and inclinations, leading to a more casual, fluid style. Not surprisingly, this style is better suited to the long, rigorous trail rides that are common out West.

Additionally, the western style is built around leading a horse based on what the horse's instinctual tendency tells him or her to do, while still maintaining full control of the horse. Also, no force is used to control the horse; instead, the horse is simply guided in what he or she needs to do. This style is highly effective for maintaining optimal performance throughout a long trail ride.

Leg cues are largely the same as in English, but a good rider/horse team needs less of it. Normally, the western rider doesn't use the legs just to maintain a gait. Weight cues are applied differently by most top western trainers, though. The western dressage horse is taught to move away from pressure, including weight. This means that the rider's weight is rather on the outside of the horse in a turn-around or a circle, pushing the horse in. If it's a well-tuned team, the rider would be sitting pretty much in the middle, but the principle of steering is one of pushing/driving the horse into the direction it is supposed to go, in contrast to putting your weight there and expect the horse to follow.

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/horse-riding/learn-to-ride-western/difference-between-western-riding-and-english-riding.php http://beginnersguide.com/horse-riding/learn-to-ride-western/difference-between-western-riding-and-english-riding.php Learn To Ride Western Mon, 10 Apr 2006 20:14:06 +0000 Western Riding Basic Equipment If you don't want to show, you can use whatever you're comfortable with. It's not the equipment that makes the western rider, it's how his/her horse performs. If you want to show, you need a western stock saddle, a blanket or saddle pad, a western bridle and bit, western boots, and a western hat.

Other useful but optional equipment are leg boots, spurs, and chaps, and in case you want to barrel race, a running martingale or/and a tie down.

Western style riding includes trail riding, show classes such as pleasure and reining, and competition such as barrel racing, pole bending, and rodeo.


Trail riding, a popular pastime, as a show class can be very formal with great attention to detail. Moves made with a horse can be a little different than those taught to English style trained horses. The Western competitive horse is taught to do a rollback and possibly reining where the horse slides to a stop.


The Western horse is also taught to neck rein, to move left or right depending if the side of the neck that the rider applies pressure with the rein.

The quality of the pace is central to the training of the Western horse. The paces are the jog and the lope, which are the trot and the cantor with a shorter stride.

The Western spin is carried out at full speed, pivoting on the inside hind leg, and carried out smoothly. All of these moves were originally developed for working with cattle.

While the Cutting Horse is the standard for real cattle ranch work, the Quarter Horse is superior in Western show class competition.

The Western saddle has a horn at the front (pommel) that can carry a rope or fix the rope when lassoing cattle. A curb-bridle or bitless bridle is used, along with long stirrup leathers that encourage a straight-leg position.

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/horse-riding/learn-to-ride-western/western-riding-basic-equipment.php http://beginnersguide.com/horse-riding/learn-to-ride-western/western-riding-basic-equipment.php Learn To Ride Western Mon, 10 Apr 2006 20:15:00 +0000 Reasons To Learn To Ride A Horse Western Style As any horse lover can probably tell you, there are countless reasons to learn to ride a horse. The opportunity to interact with these beautiful, intelligent animals is more than enough reason in itself, but aside from that factor, horseback riding is an activity to explore the outdoors in ways you never have before. Hiking and bike riding have their own merits, but when it comes to ruggedness, endurance, and the pure experience of enjoying a landscape, horseback riding is hard to beat.

In terms of outdoor adventures, saddling up and heading out onto the trail with a few close friends or family members is an adventure in itself, with the added bonus of exclusive access to the surrounding environment. There is also the element of a historical legacy that harks back to a time before cars, when horses were one of the main forms of transportation. That the experience of horseback riding is not nearly as common as it once was gives it a unique flavor that translates into the rush of excitement that accompanies any new experience.

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/horse-riding/learn-to-ride-western/reasons-to-learn-to-ride-a-horse-western-style.php http://beginnersguide.com/horse-riding/learn-to-ride-western/reasons-to-learn-to-ride-a-horse-western-style.php Learn To Ride Western Mon, 10 Apr 2006 20:15:55 +0000 A Complete Approach To Western Horsemanship Western horsemanship not only addresses the riding elements of horsemanship, but the total aspect of care, as well. These areas also include grooming and saddling. Taken together, this approach, which, incidentally, is more commonly known as natural horsemanship, focuses on the caring for a horse based on how that horse would react in a natural situation.

These behaviors are determined by observing how wild horses interact and carry themselves, and seek to utilize that behavior without going to great lengths to change it. The end result is a horse that is highly manageable due to the tremendous amount of trust the rider has instilled in that horse. If you are not familiar with an approach that produces those kinds of results, it might be a great time to take a look at how the natural, western technique can work for you and your horses.

Resources:
WWW.HORSE-RIDING.NET
WWW.BLUERIDGEONLINE.COM
WWW.CREEKSIDEEQUICENTER.COM
WWW.HORSES.ABOUT.COM

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/horse-riding/learn-to-ride-western/a-complete-approach-to-western-horsemanship.php http://beginnersguide.com/horse-riding/learn-to-ride-western/a-complete-approach-to-western-horsemanship.php Learn To Ride Western Mon, 10 Apr 2006 20:16:23 +0000 Selecting A Saddle Overview Saddles are not universal so therefore you'll need to pick a saddle that will fit both you and your horse. An improperly fit saddle will cause a rider discomfort and can severely injure a horse. While there is adjustability and a wider saddle can always be padded for short-term use on a narrower horse, you should buy the saddle with a particular horse in mind.

You have a variety of choices in saddle material. Many new riders find that the synthetic saddles are lighter, easier to take care of, and are financially friendly in an expensive sport. Leather saddles, because of their cost, are a true investment for a long-term commitment to riding. Both leather and synthetic saddles can be bought ready to ride but can also be custom designed and manufactured.

There are actually dozens of saddle styles, each especially designed for disciplines that range from those who actively compete their horses in English-based Saddle seat and Jumpers to Western-based Endurance and Roping & Reining. Even a more relaxed backyard horse owner will own more than one style saddle to suit the amount of time they spend with their equine companion.

Like any equipment investment, you will need to decide the likelihood that you will continue with horseback riding and the potential resale value of the used saddle if not. In addition, when buying a saddle for a child, also consider the ability of the saddle to accommodate the child's growth in size as well as skills.
]]> http://beginnersguide.com/horse-riding/selecting-a-saddle/selecting-a-saddle-overview.php http://beginnersguide.com/horse-riding/selecting-a-saddle/selecting-a-saddle-overview.php Selecting A Saddle Mon, 10 Apr 2006 21:01:06 +0000 Select A Riding Style Before Selecting The Saddle The first step in selecting a saddle is to determine which style of riding you prefer. For many riders this may not be important. The decision probably was made long before and the horse purchased specifically for that style. For a beginner selecting the riding style may pose more of a problem. Each style has its advantages and disadvantages.

Even though one riding style may have been selected, there is a great deal of variation among the saddles within it. Tradition, experience and exposure to other riders must then be considered.
Western or stock saddles tend to be large and heavy. They are difficult for youngsters to handle. But they offer a great deal of security for a beginner. The thickness of the saddle and the amount of leather under the leg, knee and seat isolate the horse from the rider. Western saddles are probably more versatile, rugged and durable than other styles. They are available in a wide range of designs and prices.

Hunt-jump saddles are usually rather light and easily handled. They also offer a wide variety of designs and prices. This type of saddle allows the rider to sit closer to the horse, to feel the horse and to communicate more readily with seat and legs. As a rule, these saddles require more training of the rider in developing a sure seat than with stock saddles.

Saddles used to ride and exhibit gaited or park horses are rather limited in use. They retain many of the advantages of the hunt-jump saddles — they are lightweight and allow ease of communication. However, they place the rider so far behind the withers that the only way for the rider to be in balance with the horse is to have the horse well collected and working off its quarters. This style of saddle provides minimum security for the rider; any rider must learn to ride such a saddle properly.

Dressage saddles are designed for accommodating women's ankle-length skirts. Although they are used for other styles of riding, they are not preferred. The design of this saddle provides the rider with maximum ease of communication with the horse and keeps the rider in perfect balance and form, whether the horse is highly collected or mildly extended, all within the rather narrow limits of tradition.

There are many saddles designed for very specific purposes. These include sidesaddle, trick saddle and special show or display saddle. These saddles are very specific in their design. Using them for anything other than their intended purpose should be discouraged. Safety, comfort of the rider and ability to maintain soundness of the horse must be considered before beauty or the desire for a unique design.

The style of riding dictates the general type of saddle. Consider four basic criteria: 1) the saddle must fit the horse; 2) the saddle should not interfere with the performance or the ability of the horse to perform; 3) the saddle must fit the job or the activities desired; and 4) the saddle should fit the rider physically.
]]> http://beginnersguide.com/horse-riding/selecting-a-saddle/select-a-riding-style-before-selecting-the-saddle.php http://beginnersguide.com/horse-riding/selecting-a-saddle/select-a-riding-style-before-selecting-the-saddle.php Selecting A Saddle Mon, 10 Apr 2006 21:04:09 +0000 Fitting A Saddle To A Horse Not every saddle fits every horse. Some points of the horse's anatomy that must be checked when considering a saddle include the size and shape of the withers, length of back, slope of shoulder, spring of rib, and muscling, especially of the shoulder. To some extent, you may need to consider the overall size of the horse, especially on smaller horses and ponies.

Most saddle fitting problems occur at the withers. There must be ample clearance at the withers to prevent injury, yet not so much space that all security is lost. Also, pressures should not be concentrated on small areas of the back and withers. In a stock saddle with rider mounted, there should be about 2 inches of clearance between the withers and the gullet of the saddle.

Insufficient clearance, even with a heavy saddle blanket, means the fork of the saddle is too wide, or the withers of the horse are too high and narrow, or both. Adding a heavy pad or a second or third blanket may help. It is better, however, to get a narrower saddle if possible.

To fit your horse properly, measure the width of the withers. Width taken at a point 2 inches below the top of the withers should correspond to the fork width of the saddle. Since blankets and pads will compensate for some misfitting, there can be some variation. Therefore, getting exactly 2 inches is not critical.

If the horse is straight-shouldered or if the saddle tends to slip back because of poor riding habits, the bars place great pressure on the back edge of the shoulder blades. Even blankets can't completely eliminate this concentration of pressure. For this condition, a breast collar is needed to keep the saddle well forward over the shoulder blades.

Length of the bars of a stock saddle should also be considered. A long-barred saddle on a very short-backed horse can cause too much pressure over the loin and kidney area of the horse's back, resulting in injury and soreness. The square-cut skirts on some stock saddles may also irritate the flanks of short-backed horses.

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/horse-riding/selecting-a-saddle/fitting-a-saddle-to-a-horse.php http://beginnersguide.com/horse-riding/selecting-a-saddle/fitting-a-saddle-to-a-horse.php Selecting A Saddle Mon, 10 Apr 2006 21:05:04 +0000 Selecting The Saddle A saddle is one of the first pieces of equipment most people buy after they acquire a horse. It is a major investment; selecting and purchasing require much deliberation and knowledge. The life span of most saddles is several times that of a horse, so take great care in selecting a saddle.

The selected saddle should fit the needs of the rider and the type of horse. Supplement personal preference with knowledge of the advantages and disadvantages of the many different styles and types of saddles.

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/horse-riding/selecting-a-saddle/selecting-the-saddle.php http://beginnersguide.com/horse-riding/selecting-a-saddle/selecting-the-saddle.php Selecting A Saddle Mon, 10 Apr 2006 21:22:39 +0000 Leather Or Synthetic Saddles? When synthetic saddles were first introduced, they were covered in a nylon fabric and often came in bright colors that meant that they weren't acceptable for showing. Now they are made of synthetic leather and suede materials and look like traditional saddles. Other advantages to synthetic saddles are that they are very lightweight and also easy to clean. They are available in a wide choice of styles, both English and western.

Leather is the traditional material from which saddles are made. However, not all leather is created equal and the saddle that might seem like a bargain may turn out to be made of poor quality, imported materials. Always look for good quality leather and pay attention to the finish, the stitching and the fittings such as billet straps. Buy the best quality you can afford, look after it well and it will last for many years.

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/horse-riding/selecting-a-saddle/leather-or-synthetic-saddles.php http://beginnersguide.com/horse-riding/selecting-a-saddle/leather-or-synthetic-saddles.php Selecting A Saddle Mon, 10 Apr 2006 21:23:41 +0000 Selecting A New Or Used Saddle Used saddles have the advantage of not needing a "break-in" period and the leather, provided it has been well maintained, will already be soft, supple and ready for use.

Many tack stores take used saddles on consignment and sell them at very reasonable prices. Price and fit are not the only considerations when selecting a used saddle. You also need to check the condition of the tree, the key stress points and the condition of the leather.

RESOURCES:
WWW.SADDLEMAKER.COM
WWW.SADDLEFITTER.COM
WWW.BITSANDBRIDLES.COM
WWW.BROWNSPEEDACTION.COM

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/horse-riding/selecting-a-saddle/selecting-a-new-or-used-saddle.php http://beginnersguide.com/horse-riding/selecting-a-saddle/selecting-a-new-or-used-saddle.php Selecting A Saddle Mon, 10 Apr 2006 21:24:43 +0000 Horse Safety horsesafe.jpg

Horse Safety Overview

Horse Safety When You're Around the Barn

Horse Safety When You're On the Horse

Horse Safety When You're Working With the Horse

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/horse-riding/newbies-picks/horse-safety.php http://beginnersguide.com/horse-riding/newbies-picks/horse-safety.php Newbie's Picks Thu, 27 Jul 2006 20:16:33 +0000 Riding Equipment saddlez.jpg

Riding Equipment Overview

Horse Blankets

Horse Boots

Tack

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/horse-riding/newbies-picks/riding-equipment.php http://beginnersguide.com/horse-riding/newbies-picks/riding-equipment.php Newbie's Picks Thu, 27 Jul 2006 20:18:37 +0000 Buying A Saddle buysad.jpg

Selecting A Saddle

Select A Riding Style Before Selecting The Saddle

Fitting A Saddle To A Horse

Selecting The Saddle

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/horse-riding/newbies-picks/buying-a-saddle.php http://beginnersguide.com/horse-riding/newbies-picks/buying-a-saddle.php Newbie's Picks Thu, 27 Jul 2006 20:21:25 +0000 Learn To Ride Western horserise.jpg

Learn To Ride Western Overview

History of Western Ridging

Difference Between Western Riding and English Riding

Western Riding Basic Equipment

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/horse-riding/newbies-picks/learn-to-ride-western.php http://beginnersguide.com/horse-riding/newbies-picks/learn-to-ride-western.php Newbie's Picks Thu, 27 Jul 2006 20:23:14 +0000