When you decide to start riding horses, you need to choose a discipline. Although versatility is perfectly fine, you will most likely want to focus on one type of riding. The two main types of horseback riding are english and western. The following is a guide to english riding.
The Horse
English type horses are usually leggier and more athletically built than the stockier western horses. They are built uphill, which means that their withers are higher than their backs. Horses of any breed can be ridden english, but the breeds that excel in this discipline are: thoroughbreds, warmbloods, gaited horses, and Arabians. Stock breeds, such as Quarter Horses and Paint Horses usually do better when ridden western.
The Gaits
The gaits in english riding are faster than those of western. The three main gaits of english horses are: walking, trotting and cantering. The walk is obviously the same as western, but english horses often hold their heads higher than western horses. This isn’t a matter of the horse’s “spirit,” but the western horses are trained to carry their heads a little lower. The horse’s trot is a fast, up-down gait. The english rider will either sit or post to the trot. The canter is even faster than the trot, and it is a three-beat gait. The rider will rock their body to go with the movement of the horse. Many people refer to it as the “rocking chair gait.
The Rider
English riders tend to sit up more on the front of their pelvis, while western riders tend to sit back and set their weight into the back of their pelvis. English riders also sit up higher and have their shoulders set back. Their backs usually form a gentle “S” shape when they are riding. English riders bend more at the knee, while western riders have a more relaxed seat and barely bend their legs. Riders also need to keep their heels down; this applies for both disciplines. English riders usually hold their reins with both hands, and their elbows rest quietly at their sides.
The Saddle
The english saddle is very different from a western saddle. It lacks a horn, is smaller in size, has a deeper seat, and the stirrup leathers are noticeably thinner. English stirrups are made of metal, and while western stirrups are made of metal, they are covered by leather. English saddles are also less bulky, since they were only made for pleasure riding or hunting. Western saddles were made for ranch work and long trail rides.
The Show Attire
English show attire consists of: a show jacket, an undershirt, breeches, a belt, gloves, a velvet hunt cap, and tall boots. The show jacket is usually black or navy. The undershirt is what you wear under the jacket, and that is typically a light color, such as white or yellow. Breeches are skin-tight pants that are generally beige, tan, or khaki. A belt holds up your breeches. Gloves cover unsteady hands and should be black. Your velvet hunt cap should be black, and it protects your skull if you have a fall. Lastly, tall boots run from your knee to your feet. They can be made of rubber or leather, and are usually black.
There are hundreds of horse books out there with information regarding english and western riding disciplines. However, it is up to you to choose which discipline you truly want to ride in.
