I am starting horse back riding in about a week. I don't know if I want to do English or Western riding though. What are the main differences between the two? Which one is more fun. And for Western do you have to wear the boots?

I highly suggest english!! it is much more work but in the long run u have so much farther to go rather tehn in western u just kidna get to the end more quick... especailly if u jump... u can keep going for ever trying to jump bigger fences... I personaly hate western... I think its boring... english is sooo much more fun... I love jumping... anbd in english u go faster... well that's my opinion~! =!!
~*~courtney :) :D

Hello,
Try both, I ride western and I love it, some will say that it take no skill. This is not true. Try pole bending, barrel racing, or team penning with no skill, Ha. I started my daughter riding western as she grew she fell in love with English riding. They are both an art they are both fun and no you do not have to wear boot, just some thing with a small heal on your shoe. If you are going to take lesson be sure to choose a place that not only teaches you the art of riding but the art of horse care which is far more important than riding. I hope this was in some way helpful to you.

I'll tell u that English is hard but it's fun.I ride both so I there both fun.So try them both before u make a decision and see which one u and the horse are most comfortable in. I've rode for a while. So do what u like don't be pressured into it otherwise u won't like it. :p Always have fun.

I am starting horse back riding in about a week. I don't know if I want to do English or Western riding though. What are the main differences between the two? Which one is more fun. and for Western do you have to wear the boots?
Well I tried both of them and chose dressage! I went from western pleasure, to eventing and now to dressage. You can see my transgression at Sheridan Creek Equestrian Center (http://www.sheridancreekequestriancenter.com)

Try both. What do you want to do in horseback riding? If you want to do dressage, jumping or cross country, go with english. If you want to do reining, calf roping or barrel racing, go with western. I ride english in the arena and western out on the trails. They are both fun. English requires more balance than western and in wetern riding you control the horse with one hand instead of two. You need riding boots for both. In english you would generally wear breeches and tall boots but jeans and shorst boots are fine for now. In western all you wear are jeans and short boots. In an english show you would need a fitted shirt, fitted jacked, breeches, gloves, and tall boots. In a western show you would need a fancy shirt/ jacket, jeans/chaps, and short boots. Good luck!

It really depends on what it is that you want to do long term. Are you in it for competitions? If so, what kind of competitions? Jumping? Barrels? You might not even know what you want to do until you try them both!

If you just want to go on trail rides with friends, it doesn't matter which discipline you pick; you can trail ride no matter what style you ride!

I would suggest going to some horse shows. Go to one English show- a 3day event or combined trainign event will give you a good look at most aspects of english. You'll see Dressage (my favorite and what I ride) and show jumping (which some hunters/jumpers do) and then cross country which is its own unique sport. Other than Hunter Equitation (which is just the art of looking pretty in the english saddle) you would see all english disciplines at one of those shows.
Then go to a western Gymkhana- they'll have barrel racing, and roping, and penning, they'll do some western-pleasure classes (like hunter equitation but for a western rider) and maybe some silly stuff like an Egg&spoon, etc.

If you go to these shows, you'll see the various disciplines/styles and be able to watch the things you can grow into doing.

English is more competitive & a lot better!!

Some people believe that western is safer because there is more of a saddle in western and the paces are slower and you can't jump in western. I ride english and personally like it a lot better. Ive tried western and found it A lot harder because I've been riding english my whole life so its easier for me. It does have a faster pace and jumping.

I'm going to have to go with everyone else here, try both. Hell, while you're at it, try Aussie, Sidesaddle, and Dressage as well. There's so many options out there... but it really depends on what you want out of riding. If you're the disciplined, like-to-dress-up type (like me, when I'm riding), you might really love Dressage. If you're the disciplined, strong, little-more-rough-and-ready type, hunter/jumper might be up your alley. If you're the rowdy, fun-loving type, then the opportunities that await you in Western might be better suited for you. But it would certainly be better to become knowledgeable in both disciplines, as much of the knowledge crosses over.

English 100% as there is a lot more of a varitey of disciplines to choose from such as,show jumping,dressage,Polo and eventing and with that style of riding you can go much further.

I ride western have my whole life. And I love it. I barrel race, pole bend, goat ty, team penn and some other things on occasion, there are SO many different disiplines you can do in western riding. But find what is right for you

I have to agree 100% with equestrian. English is way better! I absolutely dispise western. I would get into jumping with english it is so much fun!

Start on western. I ride English and I love it! It does take a bit of work though. You really have to develop your leg muscles and be able to do 2 point for a long time. Try both and see which one you like.

Hey people it is not fair that people say that western takes no work and english does. Anyone who says that is a jerk. Western is a heck of a lot better so why don't you just shut up. So western is the top dog and I HATE english. Western was here first and english just pushed its way in and western has a heck of a lot of history which interesting and english zero. All english has is a bunch or godd race horses that die at the peak of their success. So jerks just shut up because western rules!!

in my opinion i would choose english cos there is so much to do and i particularly hate western and i want to just destroy every western saddle and bridle and you can go so far in english and in western it is just kindov get on gallop so i choose english!!!!

[Umm. I would say english.. Even though the saddle you ride is diff its more secure in the stirrup and jumping is fun! And RissG, sidesaddle is sort of like abusing the horse It hurts them. Don't try that but dressage and jumping is fun!
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I'm going to have to go with everyone else here, try both. Hell, while you're at it, try Aussie, Sidesaddle, and Dressage as well. There's so many options out there...but it really depends on what you want out of riding. If you're the disciplined, like-to-dress-up type (like me, when I'm riding), you might really love Dressage. If you're the disciplined, strong, little-more-rough-and-ready type, hunter/jumper might be up your alley. If you're the rowdy, fun-loving type, then the opportunities that await you in Western might be better suited for you. But it would certainly be better to become knowledgable in both disciplines, as much of the knowledge crosses over.

Just for your information dressage is part of english riding.

I love English riding, I love riding dressage and doing several jumps every once in awhile, but personally I do believe that it really depends on what you like personally. Try both possibly! But, if you want my opinion.. do english (;

Megs2245, that is incredibly ignorant and close minded. Get on and gallop? Grow up. There are a wide variety of disciplines such as: western pleasure, trail, roping, barrel racing, reining, equitation, team penning, pole bending, and many others. While I grew up riding western, I am now doing english. Both are great and both have many options for you to pursue.

I've been riding western my whole life so I think it's easier but you know I have to agree with everybody else try both, you may start doing english and then over the years you might like barrel racing and then fall in love with western so you know what ? Try both you may start with one and find out you really love the other

I think western is better!!