The Great Debate: English vs Western Horse Riding

This is my opinion on debating equine riding tack of English versus Western. The same horse can be used for both disciplines, as long as they have been adequately trained and practiced. Many horse people have access to only one animal they can invest time and money in so versatility is key.

English riding tack for the animal consists of a contoured pad that goes on the horses back and under the saddle. English saddles have one girth that is adjusted and tightened by buckles and straps. The stirrups are called irons and are made of metal with a rubber base for under the rider’s boot. The bridle used for English riding has a brow-band, throat-latch, noseband, bit, chain chinstrap and continuous rein all made of leather. Tacking up a horse for English riding can be a simple process, however, the purpose of the saddle is to keep your balance while on top of the animal, not to keep you “in the saddle”. Leg strength and coordinated balance are essential when riding in English tack. It can be easy to be dismounted from an English saddle due to a sudden, unexpected movement from the horse and nothing for the rider to hold on to except for the leather reins.

Western riding tack is a much longer list and takes more time to become proficient at using. The saddle pad is usually three-quarters to one inch thick and the best choice to be next to the horse’s hide is wool. Saddles can be for specific disciplines also such as roping, barrel racing, cutting, reining, trail riding, pleasure or endurance. Most western saddles have 2 cinches, the front cinch wide and going behind the horse’s shoulders to keep the saddle in place. The back cinch is often a leather strap with adjustable buckles to keep the saddle from lifting up in the rear during riding. Horses riding in athletic competitions will often have a breast collar attached to the saddle from the front of the chest of the animal to help keep the saddle from slipping back during movement. Bridles, bits and reins come in all sizes and various materials including leather, nylon and rope to best suit the type of control the rider requires on the horse’s head.