Hello All - What a fab site!

In 2003, I went to Canada for 4 months to show myself I could survive outside of blighty! I stumbled across a reining trainer who after a bit of laughing and humiliation at my pink jods and "english ways" reluctantly agreed to take me under his wing to teach me a bit about western.

My english riding was to be fair, more than rubbish, I felt perched, unconfident and like a bag of potatos! I did not enjoy my riding but loved my horse, and I certainly did not like being watched when riding.

My trainer was patient and a saint at that, if my mount did a good hard stop and I went flying up its neck, I would get a good fun wise crack! I was surgically removed from my pink jods and was re-born into jeans! I was given his best cutting horse and let loose with the cattle and told to enjoy myself.....that I did, it was like one man and his dog equestrian style!

Back in blighty we stayed in touch to this day with lessons learnt from both sides of the odd friendship. Unfortunately, finances stop my owning two horses as I sensibly manage one comfortably. And so my Welsh cross mare who is now 11 (owned by me since a baby) is my western wannabe and is long suffering in my whims! I have got as far as I can, so where do I fit in and would a Western Trainer here take my little willing, but often naughty mare to help me along? Or am I daydreaming and setting my sights too high against the mighty quarter horse?

I'm confused as to just how seriously I would be taken and as to who could help me out to continue with my fun but learn further with my girl?

Any views would be much appreciated and I hope that all made sense!

Angie,

Of COURSE you will be taken seriously - lots of people in WES compete and train on horses that aren't QH's.

You are down south, lots of trainers down your neck of the woods (or at least ones that aren't silly distances away).

Do you have transport, can you go far with your welshie?

Well, from what I have seen, you have some lovely saddles anyway

It is good to see others getting interested, and knowing that others have the bruised noses from flying up the neck, had to be surgically removed from jodhs.....ok so mine were definitely NOT pink...... but golly this type of riding is addictive and SO enjoyable.

Tell us more about Canada.....where did you go, who did you train with?

Jude.

Hi Rodeoange. Welcome

There are loads of cobs and various different breeds out there doing western. In fact we had a super little cob who was ex-riding school/english in for training and he took to western brilliantly. (well we've had a few cobs, NF X, TBs and arabs, all of whom take to western really well, but he was particularly special).

WES run loads of shows all over the country where any breed is welcome and yes, they do beat the QHs.

Whereabouts are you based?

This is slightly off the thread, but just to confirm that there appears to be an understanding that all horses can be taught to go in a western style. My personal knowledge of western riding is zero but if my now retired racehorse was still in ridden work I would get help with starting him in this way. My belief is that it could prove especially beneficial with ex-racehorses (which is my area) as it is softer. Many people taking on racehorses when they leave racing have problems very often (and I see just too much of it) because they have little or no understanding of how horses are ridden in training. The archetypal BHS/English method of getting on and taking up a contact with hands and legs simply upsets most of these horses, so they get a bad name. Very best of luck with your Welshie. I think it's great to have as many horses as possible in wes classes as it will be good for western generally to get across to the 'English' community that it's not just about QHs. Ok, so for some disciplines they might excel as they have the conformation and breeding for the job but overall, they can all have a go.
PS Speaking of my ex-racehorse I'd also like to give an update to those who kindly enquired about him last year after he fractured his skull. Touching wood everywhere he's doing great and will be soon starting Parelli as I think it will be interesting for him. Just because he can't be ridden doesn't mean he can't enjoy something and the excellent physio and vet have given the green light. He's a playful, energetic horse and was hugely competitive when he raced so I think he'll relish having a go at just about anything that engages his brain in between chilling out with his mates.

Just to add to this, I would agree that all breeds can be taught the principles of western, and go so far as to say that even if you don't continue it with a particular horse for reasons of budget or not being able to find a saddle, your riding and their way of going will improve.

We've got a QH and until recently were the odd ones out in an English yard. A good friend, who wouldn't mind me saying that she's not in the first flush of youth was struggling with her part bred arab.
The horse is naturally quite downhill and tended to run into the bridle and pull my friend forward, making her lose her balance and get nervous.

As a treat, we took her horse to Shane Borland who trains our horse and teaches us. At the time he didn't have a saddle to fit the horse, but hopped on her English saddle and demonstrated riding from a the leg and seat onto a very light contact. Within minutes, the horse had stopped running on, slowed down and become lighter in front.

With some instruction from Shane, my friend was able to get the same result, and although she hasn't been able to pursue trying a western saddle, it has made a huge difference to her confidence.

The moral of this rather rambly story is: give it a try, you've got nothing to lose and everything to gain. Shane is based on the Warks/Oxon border and I'm not sure where you are, but there's a list of instructors on the WES website.

Or if you're anywhere near the midlands on 4-6th April, WES is running a big clinic at Moreton Morrell which you might find interesting.

our first western horse was a lovely arabian mare trained by susie anderson. she was a great introduction to western and we rode her in both western and english tack and she wasn't confused at all! we then managed to get our first quarter horse. now as to saddles for arabians, they do exist and it is worth perservering and do not have to be expensive. the arabian western saddle is slightly smaller and you can also get round saddle pads for them too. there used to be a place in the midlands which sold them but that was back in 2001.
rosie