I've ridden English all my riding life and am VERY comfortable in the english saddle.
I am boarding a horse at my barn and he is an english hunter as well as a trail western horse.
I am allowed to use his western saddle and have decided to go ahead and give myself some western lessons.

First off, can i use his english bridal? I haven't seen a western one around.
I have my show tall boots I use all the time in shows as well as casual riding, should i just wear these and my breeches? Or go more "cowgirl" and wear jeans?

Please give me ANY tips on western riding, ive only ever done 2 trails at the walk.
I understand that to lope it is a slow version of the canter, but how do i slow him into the lope and not just back into the trot?

My horse is EXTREMLELY bouncy and when riding english and jumping, i have to be in a slight 2 point and it is the opposite of western seat. (im guessing) Pets Questions and Answers Pets Questions and Answers

I rode him with no stirups again today to get a feel of sitting the canter and to find seat bones, I could barely stay on and looked floppy...

Do i keep pressure on with my calfs and thighs to stay on?

I am NOT allowed to canter in the back feilds where the trails are but i would like to try galloping.
Is it safe to do it in our largest arena? And if so, how do i transition from the canter/lope to the gallop?
Tips on galloping?
Can i ride at the canter in the western style?

When jogging is it a slow version of the trot as well? Like sitting trot?

Would i look silly if i rode grasping the saddle horn for dear life?!

In my english saddle, to check the proper length of the stirups i place my palm over the top of the stirups leather or whatever and have the stirup iorn at my armpit.
Western stirups should be longer right? How much?

do my hands drop low? Unlike the english riding?

Do i follow to same rule: The heel must be alined with the shoulder?

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of are my legs slightly more forward?

THANK YOU SOOO MUCH!
The more detailed the better!
I promise 5 stars for the best answer!

Remember, ANY tips!
Thanks again :)

in western riding it doesnt matter what you wear, the more comfortable the better! jeans and a T-shirt or Tank are the most popular western apperal- although in reality in western no one cares what you wear-

just mke sure youir boots have at least a one inch heal.


there is one main rule...DONT OVER THINK IT


trail rides are suppost to be nice and relaxed, although while walking you can learn alot about your horse...
is his walk a slower more relaxed?
or is it as if he wants to run?


haha you WONT look silly if you hold on to the saddle horn for dear life...ive done it quite a few times (horses that i ride ALWAYS seem to take off :P ) but when you feel comfortable just let go of the horn and hold on to the reins (if you have roping reins it will help) Pets Questions and Answers Pets Questions and Answers

try to practice by having a game to see how long you can keep your left hand on your left thigh and keep your right hand on the reins


no posting alowed! just squeeze thoose thighs together and try not to bounce
for me the best way to find out if the stirrups fit are to just sit in the saddle, then get down and fix them!


always keep your hand in FRONT of the saddle horn or else you might confuse your horse into thinking that you want him to stop or backup

the gaits are nice and smooth as in english i mean it is the same horse!


just RELAX and sit down and ennjoy the ride!

western is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO easy compared to English! You won't need to grasp the saddle horn for dear life! It really doesn't matter what you wear as long as they are pants and boots with a heel! Just slightly pull on the reins to slow him down to a lope. Remember, English is a lot smoother than Western so it's gonna feel REALLY bouncy! Yes, you keep pressure in your calfs and thighs to stay on, but not too much because thats telling your horse to go faster. The stirrups should be comfortable. You don't need to post, so that's why they are longer. To gallop in English you kick with your outside leg. I assume it's the same in western. You can always click your tounge to make them go faster too. Yes your hands drop low. Yes, it's the same rule about your heels and legs. Hope I helped and have fun!

i've done both english and western

Before giving yourself western lessons, you might want to take some on a horse that you know 100% is trained western to get a feel for the gaits, the seat, and the different cues. Everything about Western is usually much more relaxed than in English riding in my personal experience.