Friend wants to know whether her English ridden Apallosa can be easily re-schooled and trained into Western? Thing is she can't afford to send her away to professionals so how would she do it? I remember someone telling me its easier to train a Western trained horse to do English not this way round, what do u think?

I would guess the best way is to go to some clinics
and or get someone who rides western to help If you are short of cash which is most of us... making friends with other western people and helping each other would seem the best way to go
also arrange a clinic, then you will get proprofesional help for not much £££$$$$

Where are you based Angie in the country? I've helped a few people convert to enjoy the basics which has been really nice to see

hi angie, why don't you get your friend to contact cindy webster at www.cwwesterntraining.co.uk as she is in surrey and has a western riding club too. Her phone number is on her website and I am sure she will be able to help.
good luck.
rosie

Its not that difficult to teach a horse to 'go western',and am a little tired of people thinking its always easier for a western trained horse to do everything better!

A good english horse will respond to a seat aid for halt, because thats how he should stop, with his rider sitting in to him, with their legs on so he stops from the hind quarters not his front. The hand should not pull him to the stop but gently impede forward motion.

All the aids are basically the same!And if your horse is mannered enough to be ridden on a loose rein to do a freewalk, he can jog/ trot and canter on one! All in little time.Basically because in english you shouldn't be hauling the horse around a corner. Your hand and rein are there to ask for bend and flexion.Most horses in my experience like to be long, and their heads free.

We trained our appaloosa, who had shown, dressaged, hunter trailed to western. Her roll backs were awesome and her canter lead changes crisp and fast.All this acheived with a few clinics with WES, and lots of work at home.

it definately is beneficial to sit on a western horse just to umderstand the movements and the tempo, for jog.

i must admit watching horses jog, i found very phasing and a bit frustrating.Until I sat on a nice western horse, then I appreciated how comfy this gait is forlong trail rides!

Gosh isn't this website just great especially to bounce off ideas and support! Thanks everyone., Roland yes doing a clinic at my place might be a good idea - Rodeorange - we are in Surrey Nr Farnham is that too far from you? Rosie: thanks too and Appynospots agree with u totally! Even though I have only this year had lessons on my youngster I wasn't confident in suggesting something to my friend as I am not a trainer but today I thought what I am thinking her little horse is light and responsive and did some ground work just in hand turning her head in and pressure release to drop her head she just needs to relax a little with the softer approach, I can teach my friend just the very basics and hopefully we both then can build on it together going to as Roland says Clinics and yes doing things slowly at least. I suppose she needs the tack and thinking more about seat and moving from behind with impulison rather than the heavy contact as she is used too riding at front, Its nice to know that WES clinics will accept all breeds not just AQH too this is very helpful to know - thanks everyone u have given me a bit of confidence too!