Comments on: Horse Riding lessons?

By: Live2Ride

Live2Ride — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 06:34:59 +0000

haha i’m not coordinated either, and i’ve been riding for 5 years. when you learn to ride, whichever style you learn will be the easiest for you! there is no "easier" style, and both are really hard. it depends on what you want to do. if you really like the idea of western riding, with a big saddle and long stirrups and stuff, or if in a few years you want to do stuff like barrel racing or something, then you should start learning western. if you want to do stuff like jumping or dressage, and you like the idea of a smaller saddle and shorter stirrups, then you should try english.

i started out riding western for a couple years, and i liked it, but then about a year and a half ago, i changed barns and i started riding english, and i LOVE it. i’m currently working on learning to jump and its a ton of fun.

you really should start riding. it doesn’t matter how coordinated or athletic you are at all; if you want to do it, do it! riding is so much fun and just being around the horses is amazing in itself. i’m never in a bad mood at the barn. riding can also boost your confidence and helps with your balance, too.

good luck and i hope this helps!
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By: Dreamer

Dreamer — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:45:59 +0000

It depends on what you want. If you want to jump or something, go with English. Switching from English to Western is a lot easier than the other way around. I ride English; it's really fun. I love jumping! Both takes work and practice. Good luck! :]
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By: G

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:20:59 +0000

Well, it depends were you want to go with your horse riding skills. Because, as you say, your uncordinated it might be best to start with vaulting. This is when you do weird positions on the horse, its basically so you can get your balance. If you want to jump or do dressage you should probably ride english, but for instance if your planning on riding out west or down south or if you live down there you might want to try western. There is a big difference between western and english. Western has a wider saddle, it also has a horn and you hold the reins with one hand instead of two. English is just like your standard saddle, no horn and a little more fitted to your bottom than a western. I suggest trying both before making up your mind.
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By: Ron Sr

Ron Sr — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:03:59 +0000

I have been riding for over 50 years, I ride both English and Western, I also ride bareback which is where you will gain the most natural balance. I also teach and I start all students in a western saddle because it is bigger and has a horn to grab on to and gives you a feeling of confidence you will not have in any hornless saddle, I teach a lot of small kids and they adapt well to both english and western saddles, but because of the confidence you will gain from a western saddle start with that.
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By: ♥pony grl♥

♥pony grl♥ — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 04:48:59 +0000

well i would say if you are going to want to learn english i think it would be easier to just start with that, since its a bit harder than western (for a beginer english rider) but i think western is easier b/c you have more support, and the horn and its just easier to stay balanced and be more comfortable.
but learn some bareback too! even if you fall off, you won’t regret learning how to ride barback- plus its tons of fun!
yeah, definatly find a good stable in your area with a good teach and good horses. have fun!
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riding for 6 years, do both english and western

By: ~ <3 ~

~ <3 ~ — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 04:25:59 +0000

i wasn't (still am not) coordinated, but i am a great rider. balance is different on a horse. I would say western is easier because it doesn't use as much leg muscle, and if you get nervous you have the saddle horn to hang onto. then if you are good you can start english, once you get your balance and riding skills
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By: Missy B

Missy B — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 03:52:59 +0000

I believe that riders who begin english, have an easier time learning western later; vs. riders who learn western first, trying to learn english. So, start english.
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By: Catluver123

Catluver123 — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 03:21:59 +0000

Umm... welll like another user said it depends about your future. If you want to do more barrel racing and etc western is the choice for u. if u want to do jumping and flat then english is for u! if u want to do flat work dressage is for u!
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By: Sammy

Sammy — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 03:15:59 +0000

its not really about whats easiest, because it all might seem difficult at first. i’m a big supporter of learning bareback first it made me as good a rider as i could be before i learned other disciplines and it also taught me to feel the horse and its gaits much better. if you insist on learning in a saddle go english because it requires much more balance than western. english or bareback will develop the muscles in your legs necessary for good balance and strength for riding comfortably.
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experience (horse trainer, horse owner)

By: Adele

Adele — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 02:55:59 +0000

I think you should take English riding lessons. You will learn balance, strength and coordination. It is more involved than western riding, however, you will benefit greatly.
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