by chenders01 » Fri Aug 26, 2005 11:01 am
#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#I normally am a dressage rider but I've been doing a fair bit of riding lately in a western saddle (I board at a western barn and my mare is being trained by a western trainer). Dressage really isn't *that* much different from western equitation. The leg cues are the same and you still ride with your seat and legs. There are some differences though: #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#In english, we ride with more contact...in western, the reins are looser and you ride with one hand and "neck-rein" (I still ride with two hands though...I've never gotten the hang of riding one-handed). Your stirrups in western are a little longer. Technically, your legs should still be underneath you but I see a LOT of western riders at my barn who ride in a "chair-seat" with their legs out in front of them more. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#The saddles are bigger, MUCH heavier, and I, personally, feel farther away from my horse's back then I do in my dressage saddle. Having a horn is nice though...I somehow feel more secure in the western saddle...there's just a lot more leather surrounding you, as well as a "handle" in case you need it #ed_op#IMG onmouseover="this.style.backgroundColor='#C6D3EF';this.style.border='1px solid #3169C6'; " style="BORDER-RIGHT: #3169c6 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: #3169c6 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #3169c6 1px solid; CURSOR: pointer; BORDER-BOTTOM: #3169c6 1px solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #c6d3ef" onclick="InsertImage('/richedit/smileys/cheeky.gif');" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor=''; this.style.border=''" src="http://forums.equestrianconnection.com/richedit/smileys/cheeky.gif" align=absMiddle#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#What else...in western, you have the jog and the lope, instead of trot and canter. These gaits are supposed to be fairly slow and not as forward as you want the horse to be in english (particularly dressage). If you ride H/J it may be harder to switch to western, if you ride in a forward seat. In western (and dressage) you sit up more. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#It hasn't been *too* hard for me to switch to western. I still prefer dressage though. I like my horses to be going forward with a purpose. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#