If you are new to horses or are just contemplating a change of discipline you may be feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the differences between English and Western horse tack. From bits to blankets to saddles, each discipline has its own particularities. This article will cover the basic equipment involved for pleasure riding in each discipline.
English riding and its accompanying tack far precedes its Western counterparts. So much so that English Lords and Ladies had been fox hunting across the British countryside for generations long before Western tack was even a sparkle in a horseman’s eye. Because horse tack is very much an example of form following function, English saddles were designed to allow a rider maximum maneuverability over jumps as well as a fashionable way to ride astride. They are designed with both a low, smooth cantle and pommel and free swinging stirrup irons at the end of stirrup leathers. All of which promotes a riders ease in riding jumps, posting a trot, and performing maneuvers that require a great deal of contact with the horse. As riding disciplines became more specific and diverse so did the form of the saddles. There are several main types of saddles within the English genre including: forward seat jumping saddles, general purpose saddles, dressage saddles, hunt seat saddles, racing saddles, and flat saddles for gaited horses. Two of the main differences between English and Western saddles that throw riders transitioning from one to the other for a loop are the girth, and the stirrups.
An English saddle has flexible leather strips called stirrups leathers that fit through a metal loop on the saddle, irons are then suspended from the leathers for the foot to rest in. The English girth has buckles at both ends (generally three on each side of the saddle) and is designed to be adjusted on both sides of the horse. The English saddle blanket is generally designed to mimic the shape of the saddle and is just bigger than the saddle. The English bridle consists of the bridle, a noseband, and a brow band. Finished English horses are most often ridden in a snaffle bit. The most common bits include: a full cheek snaffle, a ‘D’ ring snaffle, an egg butt snaffle, and an ‘O’ ring snaffle. English reins are continuous and can be made of leather, cotton, or synthetic materials. English horses are trained to direct rein, and the rider holds the reins with both hands keeping a straight line from the elbow, to the hand, down the rein to the horses mouth where light contact is maintained with the horse at all times.
Western tack developed as a result of pure necessity. As the United States was developed and the cattle industry boomed horsemen realized that a new kind of saddle was needed for the benefit of horse and rider. Hence, today’s western saddle was born. The large skirts of the western saddle provide a large, even surface of weight distribution for the horse. The saddle high cantle and pommel provide a secure, comfortable seat for the rider, both factors are ideal for long hours in the saddle working livestock. Despite what many novice riders may think, the horn on western saddle is not an emergency brake or a device to be used to hold onto during an emergency. The saddle horn, more than any other part, defines the function of a western saddle. It allows a rider to rope and hold an angry steer, a major part of life for a cowhand. Today western saddles are used for comfortable pleasure riding just as much as they are used for working livestock. Like English saddles, there are different types of Western saddles including: roping saddles, barrel/speed event saddles, trail saddles, show saddles, and general purpose saddles.
Unlike English saddles, Western saddles have stiff leather fenders with sturdy stirrups attached. What they lack in mobility they make up for in comfort and support. Western girths also tie into the saddle differently. There are large metal loops on either end of a western girth that are then attached to the saddle via long strips of leather that is tied in a saddle knot. Once attached to the saddle, the girth is generally only tightened and adjusted from the near, or left hand side of the horse. A Western saddle blanket is large and rectangular shaped and does not mimic the shape of the saddle. A Western bridle consists of the bridle, a brow band or ear loop, a curb strap and either continuous loop or split reins. Finished Western horses are generally trained to ride in a curb bit. A low port, short shanked curb is the gentlest and facilitates the relaxed one handed, loose reined neck reining associated with Western riding. However, snaffle bits can and are used on horses being ridden Western.
There are benefits and unique qualities associated with both English and Western riding and many riders feel that learning to ride via either method improves their overall performance as horsemen and women.
