“Do you ride English or Western?”
One of the most commonly asked questions in the horseback riding community is whether someone rides in an English saddle or a Western saddle. However, this question reveals more than just the type of saddle a person uses; it also provides insight into whether someone is a rodeo roper, a show jumper, or someone who puts their feet in irons or stirrups.
Although both terms refer to a type of saddle, they are much more significant socially within the horseback riding community.
The biggest difference between Western and English saddles is, of course, the saddle itself. Originally, Western saddles were created in the 1600s for riders who spent more time in the saddle than off it. This led to the saddle being designed for durability and comfort. The English saddle appeared later, in the 1800s, and was created for faster-paced events such as hunting, jumping, dressage, and racing, which required a different kind of design.
Despite their different origins and purposes, both Western and English saddles share common features: the gullet and pommel at the front, the seat in the middle, and the cantle at the back. However, some parts have the same function but different names. For example, stirrups (Western) and irons (English) both serve to help the rider mount the horse and keep their foot in place while riding. Similarly, the girth (English) and cinch (Western) are straps used to keep the saddle securely attached to the horse’s body. While the cinch is always kept on the left underside of the Western saddle, the girth is typically stored off the saddle when not in use.
As mentioned earlier, the differences between English and Western go beyond just the saddles—they also reflect different riding styles. Riders in Western saddles hold the reins differently than those in English saddles. English riders hold the reins in both hands and typically use them more actively to control the horse’s direction and speed. Sometimes, they may carry a crop or whip in one hand to encourage the horse to go faster. In contrast, Western riders generally use only their left hand for reins and often rely on spurs attached to their heels to guide the horse.
Fashion-wise, English and Western riding styles are also distinct, reflecting their different cultural roots. Western style is easy to recognize, with cowboy hats, boots, jeans, chaps, large belt buckles, and often a flannel shirt, all commonly associated with rodeo events. Despite its name, the term “Western” stems from the U.S. Western expansion during the 1870s Reconstruction Era, linked to the “Wild West” era of outlaws and cowboys. Western fashion is most commonly seen in the Southern U.S., in states such as Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Texas, Georgia, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and the Carolinas. On the other hand, the English riding style doesn’t belong to any specific region but is defined by stores that sell items like knee-high riding boots, helmets (instead of hats), paddock boots, half chaps, and riding shirts and pants available in various colors and patterns. English riding fashion is most commonly seen in settings associated with terms like pristine and fancy, such as horse shows and races.
With their different names, fashions, parts, and histories, the Western and English saddles have developed distinct cultures on either side of the Atlantic Ocean, with Western riding rooted in North America and English riding in Britain. Due to this divide, Western and English riders often refer to each other using different terms, with Western riders calling themselves cowboys or cowgirls and English riders identifying as equestrians.
Going back to the question, “Do you ride English or Western?
It’s more than just asking about the type of saddle a person uses.
The question delves deeper, revealing not only the rider’s style of riding but also their cultural identity and personal preferences, essentially asking, “Are you a cowboy, cowgirl, or an equestrian?”