For those new to riding, the wide variety of saddle types available in both English and western riding can be a bit confusing. The first step is to determine what type of riding you want to do, either English or western, then further narrow it down to the very specific type of event in which you want to compete or ride. For many English equestrians the English saddle type is going to be an essential component to the tack and while there is some overlap in saddle usage there are essential elements each saddle must have. Understanding the features of each of the saddle types will help you understand why each is suited to a particular activity or riding style.

The jumping saddle (also known as a forward seat or hunt seat saddle) is designed to postion the rider forward for balance in going over jumps. Without this type of saddle adjusting balance would be extremely difficult for the rider as the horse’s body changes positions very dramatically through the jumping motion. Because of the more extreme movement involved, a jumping saddle will have a larger kneepad and thigh roll than you’ll find on the more general use, all-purpose saddle. The jumping saddle will have a lot of support and cushion for the rider to support them through this arduous activity.

A very versatile saddle type of a variety of English events from hunt seat to moderate jumping is the English close contact saddle. These saddles have a very flat overall seat and cantle but they do have the slightly forward flaps and stirrup bars to allow the rider to keep the knees slightly bend for posting and jumping. Unlike the jumping saddle the close contact saddle is more like the endurance saddle with very little in the way of thigh roll or kneepad, providing more movement for the rider and an ability to stay in close contact with the horse’s body.

Dressage saddles are very specific for dressage work and typically have straighter flaps and less forward stirrup bars, allowing the rider to sit on the horse with the legs straighter down from the saddle for balance and centering. The kneepads and thick rolls are low on the saddle and the seat tends to be deeper than that of a more all-purpose saddle. Dressage saddles can be used for any type of groundwork but are not designed for jumping or hunt type events.

Learning how to ride is a very rewarding experience, but it can often be a bit confusing as to which type of riding is most suited to your goals with regards to what you want to do with your horse. A good place to start is by talking to experienced riders. Find out what they like about each style and see which fits you the best. You’ll find that whichever style you choose, you’ll have to comit a good amount of time to learning the basics, and even more if you want to be a competitive rider.

If you are going to compete, knowing what you want to do in the competition is essential before choosing a riding style. If you like the more formal style of dressage, hunt seat and saddle seat, than your choice will be the English riding style. But if you like a less formal style including wearing jeans and cowboy shirts and riding the trails or competing in western pleasure events or working cow horse events then the western style is your best choice. You can ride for pleasure on the trails with either style of riding.

Besides just what events you can compete in there are also differences to the actual riding styles. Riding the western style is a more casual style designed to allow the rider to ride for hours and hours over varied terrain. The stirrups are longer and the rider sits deep in the seat. Western riding also has the reins held in one hand, leaving the other hand free for using a rope. English riding has shorter stirrups with riders more erect to slightly forward sitting, posting in motion to the horse and typically holding the reins in both hands. Some English riding will require double reins, one set to direct the motion of the horse and one set to control the head position. English riding also has several different styles including hunt seat, dressage, saddleseat, and endurance. Each of these disciplines has their own style of tack - a dressage saddle, jumping saddle, all purpose saddle, and so on.

Whichever style you choose, proper safety equipment, especially a helmet should be part of your routine. Proper safety equipment is a must for all junior and novice riders. When you select a style you can always decide to learn the other style at a later date, after all your horse can certainly learn another style, but learning both at the same time is overwhelming and can lead to confusion.

The first time that you have to put your tack on a horse it may seem a bit confusing and difficult, but it is actually a very simple routine that is quick to establish and helps the horse understand what is happening. Having your horse secured with a set of crossties that fasten to the halter from opposite sides at about normal head height is really helpful as this leaves the rider with both hands to work with the tack.

Before putting on the tack it is important to quickly examine your horse and make sure there are no injuries or leg or foot problems. Slide your hand down each of your horse’s legs feeling for any bumps, cuts, or scrapes. Then pick out each horse making sure to get out all mud and stones and checking for any hoof problems. This will prevent the possibility of riding the horse with a rock in the hoof that can cause lameness, plus if your horse has shoes you can also make sure they are secured and in place. Now that you’ve checked your horse’s legs and hooves, it’s time to give a good brushing to his back and body. Ther are a variety of brushes you can use, but the goal is to get rid of all of the loose, dead hair and any dirt or other debris that could irritate your horse when you place the saddle and saddle pad on.

Since the halter is securing the horse to the crossties, you may want to start with the saddle. Place the saddle pad or blanket straight down on the horses back, just on the highest point of the withers and slide it straight back a fraction of an inch to position it. This ensures that the hair is all flat, if you have to reposition the blanket lift it off the horse, smooth down the hair again with a brush or your hand, then start over.

With the saddle pad or blanket in place, pick up the saddle with your left hand on the horn or pommel and the left hand under the back skirt or the cantle, depending on the saddle type. After securing the stirrups (you don’t want to get clunked in the head), place the saddle in onto the saddle pad just behind the withers. There is a natural depression in the horse’s back that the saddle should sit in. If you have a western style saddle, reach under the horse’s belly and grasp the cinch, make sure it is straight and tighten the saddle from the left side. With an English saddle you may need to walk around to the right side and affix the cinch, then move back around to the left to tighten it.

The bridle is typically the most challenging as some horses will throw their head or refuse to take the bit. Moving quietly, slowly and gently will correct this problem. Don’t become agitated or irritated. Unbuckle the throatlatch and noseband if there is one, then standing in the same direction as the horse on the left side, hold the bit in your left hand and the top of the bridle in your right. Gently bring the top of the bridle up to the top of your horse’s head. This will position the bit just below his lips. Gently insert the bit by raising the top up and over the ears. Position both the bit and the headstall in the right place, then latch the throatlatch and noseband. Avoid at all cost hitting your horse’s teeth with the bit. It’s painful and will cause him to be reluctant to be bridled in the future.

Mounting the horse is the opposite of dismounting and should be done in one fluid movement. Hold the reins in your left hand and grasp a piece of the mane near the saddle. Using the right hand to hold the stirrup, place your left foot in the stirrup, swing your body up and your right leg up and over the back of the horse, gentle sitting down into the saddle. Put the right foot in the right stirrup and you are all ready to go.

Horses have played a vital role in the history of mankind. They have served a variety of purposes from transportation to heavy cavalry. Nowadays due to the development of technology horses are no longer used anymore. They can be mostly found working for humans in ranches, farms, circuses and driving carriages for amusement rides. Although horses are not as vital as they were back in the days the tradition of riding them did not falter. Equestrians were regarded as nobles in Rome who are members of the cavalry. Today they are riders who participate in a number of equestrian sports.

Equestrians in this day and age are more known for equestrianism. It refers to the ability to ride and drive horses. This definition does not just include the use of horses for recreational activities and sports but also for working and practical uses. Contrary what most people would think the term refers to other skills not just riding them for equestrian sports.  

Equestrians before

Horses were used in variety of purposes. They were both used in war and peaceful pursuits. At one time they used from transportation, agriculture and warfare. In Rome Equestrians were regarded as elite. Horses were not inexpensive at that time so owning one meant that you were rich and does not need to do manual labor. They were members of a social upper class in Rome. This class was most often referred to as knights. Both were considered a military and a political group because horsemen received financial compensation from the government.

As Rome expanded it relied on its allies for cavalry. There was no use from equestrians and they lost their military functions. Although they did not engage in war anymore but their titles still remain and indicate nobility. The equestrians were rich and governed the provinces. At that time senators were equal to equestrians.

The senators dominated the magistrate offices but were not permitted to operate business and gain commercial income. The equestrians on the other hand continued to invest in marketing and tax farming companies. Conflicts arose between the two. Equestrians acquired as much loot as they can while senators notice rebellions due to overtaxing. At the time of civil wars the two elite collaborated and their orders were defined as reforms were done.

Equestrians today

There are popularly known for participating in equestrian sports during Olympics. As before horse back riding is reserved for the rich. Even today horses are still expensive and treasured.

Equestrian events include dressage, show jumping and eventing. Equestrians should be able to make the horse carry out natural movements on demand while running loose during competitive dressage. It is also referred to as “Horse Ballet”. Its focus is to develop a horses’ athletic ability and its initiative to perform to maximize its potential.
Show jumping is a timed even where equestrians are required to jump over a series of obstacles with the fewest mistakes. Riders and their horses should be able to go through the obstacle with the least knocked over portions of obstacles.  

Eventing is the combination of dressage and show jumping. The horse and the rider have to go through a series of fixed obstacles such as stone walls, water, logs banks, ditches with the fastest time possible.

Although the role of equestrians has changed through the centuries it still maintains that aura of nobility that it once enjoyed in medieval times.

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