At 16:29:44 on 13.01.12, OffTheTrack wrote:
I think there's a lot of turbulence between riders when it comes to the differences between English and Western riding. I have ridden both Western and English (though predominantly English) and I train horses under English saddle. I think stereotypes are made about each and some of the things I have seen/heard are a bit unfair. For example, "Western riding is scruffy and loose", "English riding is all just fancy", "Western is all about speed and risk. English riders don't take risks", "English riders abuse harsh bits and use whips", "Western riders never wear helmets", "Western horses can't carry themselves", "English horses aren't agile", "Western riders will never experience the thrill of jumping", "English riders are snobby and hunt innocent foxes," This is ridiculous and stereotypes should not be made. I personally prefer English but that's because it's my native saddle and I've been taught this way from 4yrs old. But I enjoy Western too, the horses are sharp, the saddles are comfy and it's just as much fun. What's your native saddle and what are your thoughts about this? x

At 16:34:43 on 13.01.12, OffTheTrack wrote:
As I said, this is my native saddle :) x

At 23:03:49 on 13.01.12, JessAndGrenville123 wrote:
It does my head in, so does the bit vs bitless thing its like go away! haha i made a video on bit vs bitless cos i got so annoyed showing the pro's and cons of both, i know cos i regularly alternate between my snaffle and hackamore, i hate it when i get called snobby for being english and riding english lol they think we ride like eventers 24/7 and we never let loose and gallop across fields, yeah well their mistake lol, i like western too and have ridden western on a few occasions (granted it wasn't very well!) and i prefer english but only because i have ridden english for 15 years now since i was 3 years old. Stereotypes will always be around, people are very judgmental but hey i like to think i go against all stereotypes and make my own way as i choose it :)

At 06:34:44 on 14.01.12, crazycowgirl99 wrote:
Anyone will prefer whatever it is that they have been brought up with or are used to. I have ridden both, was brought up English, prefer western but actually ride English because the English saddle fits my horse better. Im sure I look quite a sight riding in jeans & western boots with my horse kitted out completely english.... I love this video, it shows that the basic principles are the same just executed slightly differently.

At 03:37:55 on 15.01.12, shadypony wrote:
I hate it when people get mad at other people because of a didfferent style of riding. English is my native saddle, when I first learned to ride I rode western for like 2 months, but I really can't ride western at all, never tried. English girl right hereeee :)

At 20:15:36 on 18.01.12, noneotherthan01 wrote:
My native is english... but I have an equal background in both styles, and completely disagree. Western horses are equally as talented as their english counterparts, and with riders it's the same. Personally, western saddles are uncomfortable to me :) but I love to race a good barrel pattern, or just trot around western. Just as equally I love a good jumping pattern and will more than gladly hack in my dressage saddle. I think these discipline stereotypes are dumb. No matter what you do, who you are, as long as your having fun, being safe, and are comfortable, do what you do!