How to Ride English-Style
Learning to ride English style is the starting point for any novice rider. After acquiring the fundamental skills of the sport in the English ring, you'll be able to use your new abilities to master other riding styles.
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Instructions
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Take lessons. English riding requires a great deal of balance; it is important to learn proper riding technique from a trained professional.
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Wear jeans or breeches, riding boots or hard-soled shoes, a long-sleeved shirt and a helmet.
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Get an English saddle. Riding in an English saddle teaches the student good balance and control of both body and horse, since there is very little equipment to hold onto.
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Secure the English saddle onto the horse with a girth.
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Prevent the saddle from slipping backward by using a chest strap on the horse.
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Use a bridle with a headstall that fits over the horse's head. The bridle has a bit that goes in the horse's mouth as well as reins to help the rider guide the horse.
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Sit tall in your saddle. The saddle is small; you will have to use great balance to stay in the center of the saddle. Keep your head up, your shoulders back and your legs against the horse.
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Hold the reins in your hands with your thumbs on top and pinkies on the bottom.
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Hold your hands seven or eight inches apart, low and centered over the horse's neck.
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Tips & Warnings
You can use an English saddle on any breed of horse.
English saddles are very small: they have no saddle horn, and the stirrups are smaller than those on Western saddles.
English reins are one long leather strip that attaches to each side of the bit and hangs on the back of the horse's neck.
Wear a helmet. Protecting your head from a fall can save you from serious injury or even death.
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Comments
View all 46 Comments-
horse_lover
Nov 12, 2006
Be friendly- when you want the horse to know that you are friendly feed them a few corrots or sugar cubes, that way they know your friendly and they will want to let you ride on the horse. -
horse_lover
Nov 12, 2006
Be friendly- when you want the horse to know that you are friendly feed them a few corrots or sugar cubes, that way they know your friendly and they will want to let you ride on the horse.
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Aug 08, 2006
Though most horses are different, all of them hate it when you are too rough. Be gentle.
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Aug 08, 2006
Though most horses are different, all of them hate it when you are too rough. Be gentle.
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Jul 20, 2006
If you want better balance, there are a few things that you can do! 1) Try riding without stirrups. I know it sounds horrible but it makes you a much better rider! Try to do two-point in it. Try it at the walk first! It is hard at first, but it builds up those leg muscles. 2) Try bareback riding when comfortable. You have to really hold on. 3.) Try standing in your stirrups for a long period of time. It is harder then it seems. If you need help, try holding on to a piece of mane at first. I had a friend whose instructor made her do a whole trail ride at a trot standing! 4) Try mixing up your post. It sounds easy, but it isn't! Try 2 strides standing 2 strides sitting. This will help you get your legs in the right position. 5) Try riding with 1 stirrup. I think it is harder then with no stirrups, so make sure you are ready for the challenge. Try riding without one for 5 strides, then pick it up again and ride with 5 strides with both. Then drop the other stirrup for 5 strides and then pick it up and so on. I hope these tips help you! They helped me.
