WESTERN HORSE RIDING

Beginning Of Western Style Horse Riding

For more than 5,000 years, people have been fascinated with horses. They have been using them for work purposes and riding purposes for the main part of these thousands of years.

So with this long-standing love affair with horse, you can correctly assume that ,children as well as adults, have passions for horse riding.

So let’s look at how to ride a horse western style. I believe in North America, Western-style horse riding is more prevalent than English riding.

A beginner must decide, which style of riding to concentrate on learning at first. So does western riding suit your needs better than English riding, or vice versa.

As I look at it, it’s English riding vs. Western Riding from the beginning for a child or a beginner. You will need to choose, one style or the other. But here is a hint of wisdom some people apply to this decision.

Since English riding is a bit more demanding, (smaller saddle, requires you give greater attention to what’s going on), some say start with English, then it will be easy to go to western riding for you.

How It Starts Many Times

When it comes to riding horses, very young children will get their start by riding ponies at a county fair and teens will become equestrians or equestriennes, as they get older.

Then as adults, they will continue to enjoy riding horses for as long as they have the strength to ride.

However, there is more to riding a horse than just mounting the animal and taking off, and people who seriously want to ride horses should learn proper methods.

Thus, the beginner’s guide to “how to ride a horse western style” is necessary

What is Western Style Horse Riding?

There are two basic styles of riding a horse. As I mentioned earlier they are the English style and the Western style. Probably one of the biggest difference being that western style horse riding involves the use of different tack you use to ride the horse.

In the western style of horse riding, the saddle is much heavier and is made to spread the weight of the rider across a large portion of the horse’s back.

The larger saddle makes it more comfortable for the rider, especially those who are just learning to ride a horse. This is one of the larger appeals of Western style riding.

Beginners just feel much more comfortable with a broader base (wider saddle).

The horses in western riding also go at a slower gait than you would with English style riding. So this again will make the beginner horse rider feel more in control while learning.

About Riding a Horse Western Style

When it comes to western style horseback riding, there are a few basic things that beginners should be aware of, things that will make it easier for both the horse and the rider.

It is essential to dress appropriately for horseback ridings, such as wearing jeans, comfortable layers of clothing (according to the weather), and the right kind of boots.

The rider should ensure to decrease nervousness as much as possible before attempting to ride, as the horse will be able to sense it and think that there is a danger to be aware of.

The ride will not go smoothly for either the horse or the rider if the horse senses danger.

Getting More Involved in Western Style Horseback Riding

A lot of people will go to what is known as a “dude ranch” when they want to learn to ride horseback, particularly western-style.

There are a few western riding basic principles that they will learn at such places, such as becoming familiar with how to hold the reins and how to direct the horse.

For example, western riders will hold the reins in one hand (usually the non-dominant hand), keeping the other hand free to do other things. In English-style riding, the rider uses both hands to hold the reins.

You Should Seek Western Riding Basic Principles

The research will take you past the broader general information about horse riding. Hopefully, we have given you even more reasons to pursue further your developing interest in Western style horse riding.

It all starts with the knowledge behind the basic western riding principles.

As with most things in life to be successful at them you must apply the basics to your goal. In this case if you wish to learn to ride western style, and you need to know western riding basic principles.

There is a very sound basic course called The Beginners Guide To Horseback Riding.

This Course may be purchased to give you those riding basics you need for the beginner horse enthusiast you know.

There are several ways to go about this. I noticed in my recent searching, came across some must have information, that I believe will help you in getting yourself ready to ride a horse.

Other Things to Know About Western Style Riding

A rider should learn to use proper signals to direct the horse. This would be done by using the neck reins when wanting the horse to turn to the left or to the right.

Learning the proper positioning of the legs and feet will also aid in instructing the horse what to do.

Inexperienced riders are always moving their hands in their nervousness. These moving hands will generally confuse the horse, so learning to use the hands only when needed is important.

So Calm Hands is the Rule for Safe Western Style Riding

It is going to be important to know when to apply pressure to the horse, as well.

Final Advice

There is much to be said about how to ride a horse western style to get the maximum benefit of riding.

The key thing to remember is that there is always more to learn. Know that you can always learn more about your horse, and riding your horse.

Another important point is to know that each horse is different and will have to be specifically trained to respond to the rider.

Your Training Experiences Should Be Supplemented

With today’s technology, interested people can first go on YouTube or some other informative site to get basic learning about riding a horse western style.

Here are a couple of videos of ours for you to see to help out with your information base of horse riding skills.

However, no amount of computer training will be enough. Interested parties must get into actual riding to learn how to ride a horse western style.

Find a ranch near you or individual that offers the training. The reality of actually riding the horse is the last thing.

Maybe the detailed lessons at that point won’t be necessary but at least a real introduction to a real horse, before you ride would be the smart thing to do.

“Happy Trails To You” as Roy Rogers used to say back in the 1940s and 1950s.

Why This Is So Big-How to Turn a Horse

So a very important part of riding a horse is learning how to turn a horse. This can be a major challenge for you, the beginner inexperienced horse rider.

You will find that riding a horse is not like riding a bike, a scooter, or driving a car.

Riding a horse is a cooperative effort between a human and a horse. The horse has a brain and a will of their own rather than buttons and gears.

Riding a horse can be wonderfully exhilarating but you must be able to to make turns and other maneuvers. Proper training of the horse is vitally important unless a person only wants to go in a straight line.

Training a Horse

Every colt needs to be trained before they can be ridden. Most trainers choose horses they feel are amenable, then a program of training begins. The best trainers are kind, consistent, and determined.

When the young horse is large enough for training, it is taught to accept attention from people, to accept the saddle, and finally to accept a human on its back.

The Rider Gets Trained As Well

When a person wants to ride horses, they must receive training. A person must be able to effectively communicate their instructions to the horse. The rider must learn different types of cues to give the horse including basic cues to walk, run, slow down, and to change directions.

Other cues include those used in competitive riding of many types. In the show arena, a person’s ability to ride and direct a horse is tested as much as the horse’s performance.

The rider must learn things like the correct leg position horse riding, leg cues for horse riding, visible guidance, and invisible guidance.

Teaching a Horse To Turn

People, as well as horses, can improve their performance and the ability to work as a team. Learning the leg cues western riding technique is important.

People who want to have freedom in riding including the ability of horse and rider to move the other way as needed know the importance of being able change your horse’s direction. The trainer must teach a young horse go the other direction.

Here is a quick checklist, in order that would be a great way to lead your horse in the training of how to nudge your horse the other way. Learning how to change directions with your horse leads to better riding, and a much safer experience for you the rider..

• The first step is to warm up the horse and make sure they are supple on both sides of their bodies. These first lessons go better using a snaffle bit and two-handed riding technique. The horse must be helped to soften their neck, ribcage, and shoulders to make turning easier physically. You will work with the horse to get relaxed and more ready to respond to commands.
• The second step is to get off the horse and lead them in a small 15-foot circle. Be sure to allow enough slack in using the reins, so the horse can be comfortable carrying their head and neck while learning how to move the shoulders and legs to turn in the circle. They must get use to the motion of one leg moving ahead of the other while leaning in one direction or the other. The horse is developing muscle memory, a key to learning to turn properly.
• As the rider and horse walk in this tight circle, they will work together to move the horses head and shoulders to the left and the right front foot to cross over the left foot. Again you are working as a team, and this all aids in muscle memory. A great turning horse will be developed with patience in this process.

  A note worth mentioning, as the trainer, you should not get in the way of the horse’s movement ever

• As the horse becomes comfortable walking in the 15-foot circle, the circle is made smaller until the horse can be shown how to perform a real pivot. This is practiced over and over.
• It is important to keep the horse moving forward and crossing its right foot in front of her left foot. It is very important for the horse as they are learning to maneuver the front legs for a turn, the rear of the horsemust remain normal for forward motion. The back legs are to be kept in a straight forward motion, as per normal, walking and running. If the horse tries to put its right foot behind its left leg, it is time to take it out of the circle and have it trot to get the forward motion back.
• When the horse is trotting, it is now in normal motion. You can then take it back to the turnaround or circle and correctly move its right foot in front of its left. Now repeat as many times as it takes to imprint the moves on the horse. A relaxed horse will learn better.

For some more great pictures and very detailed directions on horse training I would recommend  an industry favorite site, called Horse & Rider, you may find some very interesting horse subjects covered by going here, for extra reading on horses.

Learn How to Use Leg and Rein Cues

Using the cue inside leg to outside rein to make your horse move better in turns would be well worth your effort and time. This is just one type of cue you can use to obtain a direction change, a turnaround.

To teach him/or her to be a great direction changer, can only bring benefits to your horse riding.

So using your leg cues will be very big for you to get good at doing. the slightest pressure in one direction or the other will cue your animal to move forward, or move backward.

In this case you will want to with your right thighs just to apply the slightest pressure on the horse so that they will move away from the pressure.

This would mean the horse will be moving to the left. Then as you do this, to add a slight pulling on the reins to move the head of the horse in the left direction, then you will be able to successfully work with the horse and then the result is to be moving to the left.

You have changed direction with your ride, to the left this time.

Learning Invisible Guidance

As the rider you would do well to learn many different types of riding techniques. It will bode well for you to get good enough so that they become automatic and seamless.

Learn how to change directions with your horse and use other techniques such as inside leg to outside rein, invisible guidance, having a proper seat, finding a horses rhythm, directing with pressure, and controlling speed and other movements.

Repetition is the key to good training. This will develop your horse with great turn habits, a much sought after skill.

In Summation

Patience with your horse is extremely important. If your horse is warmed up properly, and trained with patience, your riding will become an awesome relaxing and fun time for you.

Remember, man and horse working in unity is your goal. Moving your horse the right way, is one of the best things you can do, to improve your western style horse riding.