Q&A for How to Ride Western

English and Western are just very different. Different equipment, a different feel, a different style in general. However, people do say that that Western pack is more comfortable for a longer trail ride. If they are going to be sitting in the saddle for more than 4 hours, they tend to prefer a Western saddle for pleasure riding.

Correct. Right leg and right rein on the neck is the sign to go left, and the opposite is true to go right. Always remember that you only press with your leg, not kick, as kicking is a sign to go faster for most horses.

There are many different ways to stop with the seat. Relax your seat and stop riding and half-halt. Keep your chest up and open and lean your seat like you're back in a chair and depending on how sensitive the horse is, move your hand up or pull back.

Horses move away from leg pressure. So, only use the leg on the side you want your horse to move away from. Only rein with leg pressure when your horse doesn't immediately move.

For trotting, try to post (if that is allowed). If not, you will have to learn to sit the trot. For the canter or lope, scoop your butt with the horse's movements, like you are wiping it with a washcloth.

Western is typically easier because you have less movement in the saddle.

However much leg pressure you need to keep him going is how much leg pressure you should apply.

Your heels should be pointed to the ground, beneath your toes to keep your feet in the stirrups.

It depends on what works best for your horse. Hackamore bridles work best with horses who prefer nose pressure, while bit bridles are more effective on horses who work better with mouth pressure.

Sit back in the saddle, lean back, squeeze with your legs, and lightly pull the reins.

If you are not familiar with western, then ask a pro. If you are, then you could, but it depends on the horse, its age, and many other things.

You lightly press with the opposite leg that you want them to turn, and release the pressure with your other leg.

This can, over time, make their mouth really sensitive. Also, if you use to much pressure, then you might have some trouble later on.

The horse will know by how much you encourage it and how you change your seat position. For example, sitting back in the seat when you want to slow and softly touching the reins will tell the horse you're going slower, whereas if you shorten your reins and sit more upright, the horse will know you want to go faster.

Use your right leg and left rein, don't let them try to break out of it. (Basically, a turn on the haunches a bunch of times.)

Then the best thing to do is practice. You don't have to neck rein to ride Western though. For walking in a straight line, try using your legs. One thing you could do is look for a trainer or experienced horse rider to help you.

Yes, especially if that makes you more comfortable. Being comfortable on the horse is a vital step for being a good rider.

Try starting with a posting trot. Stand up and down in the saddle. When you get the hang of that, you can try a posting canter.

You can post, which means putting all of your weight in the stirrups and standing up in the saddle, then sitting down. Stand up for two of your horse's steps and sit down for the next two. Keep doing this while you trot. It's still bouncy, but once you get into the rhythm of it, posting helps you move with the horse a lot more than sitting the trot.

A lope is the western equivalent of a canter, just a little more relaxed and slow.