What is better to ride horses with an English saddle or a western saddle?

Answer 1

The best way to ride a horse is to evaluate what that particular horse is built and bred for. The ability of the rider is also important. A bad rider can injure a horse more than what seat a rider uses. Also, considering what sport you are in may help you to determine which saddle you prefer to use. Obviously if you are a jumper you would be better in an English saddle, and if you are a barrel racer, you would most likely use a western saddle.

Answer 2

An English saddle is smaller, less bulky, and lighter than a Western saddle which is more suitable for comfort and long days on a horse. The Western saddle has more accessory pieces, such as a different skirt, a horn, fenders, rear cinches, etc. and has a thicker seat, and usually leather stirrups. The English saddle has iron stirrups, thin stirrup leathers, and the skirt only covers the stirrup buckle, it does not extend below and behind the cantle. In place of the prominent horn is the smooth pommel. Those are the main differences.

Answer 3

You can. Australian stock saddles, though ridden in western style, are stylized after English saddles even.

I ride English, but I have some horses who are also trained in Western and when my friends who ride Western come over they are able to use my tack with no issues.

You will want to lengthen the stirrup leathers to ride Western since in English they tend to be set shorter, but that is easily done even while you are in the saddle. Western saddles, as well as stock saddles, have a deeper seat and higher cantle. Makes your seat more secure and comfortable over a long ride. So in an English you will also have less support and this is a issue for some if you do not have a good seat but if you are somewhat experienced this shouldn't be a problem since I've been told it's like riding bareback with stirrups.

Your riding style does not have to change because the type of tack you use.

Answer 4

Sure, the horse doesn't know English from western tack. Saddles are made for a specific purpose, but bridles are more just tradition.

Answer 5

a western saddle is much larger, built for comfort, and the pommel sticks up

an english saddle is smaller and more compact, and the pommel is a small raised bump in front of the rider

Answer 6

Yes it is. The Western Saddle is going to be more comfortable because it is more laid back than the English Saddle. It does not make you keep a posture like the English one.

Answer 7

It depends witch style you ride in.