Riding English

[Buddy Blaze Lover]

Oh, believe me, I had some fears when I started riding English too! I was like, "Woa, there's nothing to hold you on except balance!" I think the biggest thing, is to get used to riding English slow at first and gradually get faster and better. But I don't think there is any real way to gurantee you are not going to fall off. It happens in western too, and there's really nothing you can do to prevent it...when you get on a horse, you have to be prepared and ready at any time to fall off. Don't get on the horse if you're too scared, or you'll scare the horse! I mean, horses spook, buck, and rear...even the tamest most gentle horses; I've experienced it! I don't want to scare you, but I don't want to lie either. And remember--you can't prevent accidents, that's why they're called accidents. Good luck!

[Miss Z]

Oh, believe me, I had some fears when I started riding English too! I was like, "Woa, there's nothing to hold you on except balance!"

You know, when i did western, i thought how stange it was to have such a weird saddle and to have such a slack rein contact. I love English style, and you'll love it too! Jumping is brilliant, and yes falls do happen, but with a good horse you'll be fine. You'll find that you'll get better and better, and you'll get hooked on jumping higher and longer! And also, falls are all part of experience, so the when you do fall just think that next time you'll know if it's coming!

[HollandLoppy89]

I agree, I ride english and it is SO fun. I wouldn't move to western even if I had to. I love everything about english riding. I wouldn't start jumping unless you are 100% sure you can control your horse, and you are balanced in the saddle. You may want to take a lesson or two for jumping until you get the hang of it. Make sure you can stay in a two point position accurately and you are comfortable and confident that you can jump. Be prepared, your horse may jump the smallest jump possible like a 4'0! You will definitely fall off. The first time I jumped on a little pony, I fell off! It's part of it.
Hope this helps!!

[Suki Wingy]

or they could go the other way and just take a huge trot step over it that's what happened to me the first time I "jumped"!

[Sweet Sixy]

I have been riding english for about 15 years...I learned western much later on. I prefer english because you have more contact with your horse and are better able to get a sense of what they are feeling. I also ride side saddle and my favorite...saddle seat. Every style of riding is different, and every horse is different. I agree with everyone, you'll fall off at one point or another. I am one of those people who fell off and was badly hurt at one point, however that was about 10 years ago and I still ride and actually I am able to anticipate the horses actions better now. My horse now is a crazy girl who rears up every chance she gets. I am sure that you will love english!! It is such a great feeling to be closer to the horse as opposed to having all that saddle.