cant ride english...i need help

I can ride western and bareback and im very balanced when I ride either one of those but the second I try to trot in an english saddle im very unbalanced!i ride in a 18 inch (from end to end I don't know english measurements) pleasure saddle.i don't know what brand but its more of a walking horse saddle with the long flaps and low back to it.idk I don't really know my english saddles. Well im very unbalnced in the english saddle but I've been wanting to start jumping.im going to start taking lessons but I don't want to feel like a fool that doesnt know how to ride when I fall off the horse.i can't do anything in the english saddle above a fast walk on my horse.i need yalls help badly!thnx for any help on trying to get balanced on my horse!(i have an arabian and a tn walker I can ride in the english saddle on my tn walker but not on my arabian.)and im not trying to do any big jumps I just want to get my horse trained and take lessons so I can do little jumps for fun on the trail because my horse is getting bored with the things we usually do.

That sounds like a dressage saddle to me. But I'm not very well versed on saddle varieties myself. Do you have pictures? Are you sure it fits you?

First off, don't feel like a fool! The way you sit in an English saddle is very different so you SHOULD feel odd at first! I had a new student in the very same situation today and she did great! Make sure your instructor takes the time to explain the differences and shows you how to properly sit in the sddle. Are you going to do dressage or jumping? Depending on what type of lessons you take, the type of saddle and the way you sit in it may very quite a bit.

I usually start my students on the lunge line until they feel comfortable at the walk and trot (sitting and rising) - until they can do both well without holding on for balance. I find it's easier for students to learn this without having to control the reins as well (it's not really fair to use the horse's mouth for balance).

A good coach will make you feel comfortable, make sure you understand what and why you are doing what you are doing and provide a safe environment to learn in and take you at a pace where you can establish a firm foundation of skills to build on. Remember, WE WORK FOR YOU! So don't be afraid to ask questions!

Good luck, I'm sure you'll do great! :)

im just going to do some pleasure riding.nothing really competitive.i know how to post and stuff but I've been riding western for a long time and those little stirrup leathers don't really hold my leg in place like the wetsern stirrups do!also whats the diffrence in an english riding horse and a western horse?thnx for your help.

- ill also be taking lessons at a riding center that teaches english jumping and pleasure.it depends on how I really get into english riding as far as how long ill be taking lessons there-

It might help to lengthen your stirrups for a bit and then shorten them at various times during your lesson until they're the right length for you. That might help with your lack of balance.

X Halt Salute says it all . Well put . Can't add anything . Good luck with English riding lessons .

I can't be sure, but it sounds like you have a saddleseat saddle, which would make it even more difficult to post.

I do disagree with one thing, It doesn't matter if I'm in an english or a western saddle, I will ride the same way. If you ever look at really old western saddles (check out some of the vintage on ebay), you will notice that the fender comes directly under the seat, instead of the "chair pose" adopted by many of todays western riders with the stirrup in front. English saddles do feel different and do require the rider to have a stronger sense of balance. The 1" stirrup leather has a lot more give than the thick fender and strap attatched to the western saddle. If you have your feet too far out in front of you, and are trying to sit up straight, then yes, you will stand up, your feet will come forward and your butt will come back down with a thud. Many riders with feet to far forward or heels to far down (pressing feet forward) compensate by leaning forward with their upper body. Ideally, whether english or western, we want to line up shoulder, hip, and heel, have our seat properly balanced on the back, and legs under us, effectively on the barrel of the horse.

When you post, try practicing by giving yourself a hug at the standstill and stand up. With your upper body disabled with the hug, your legs and core will have to do the work. It feels a little harder when you can't use the momentum of your upper body to help you out. Make sure your pelvis stays level in the saddle and in the air when you stand. Once you get the feeling in your legs, try it again with proper posture. Notice that by pushing straight down into the stirrups you will gain stability.

If the horses center of balance is too far behind you, it may be a little harder to ride this trot. A good trainer and lots of practice will get you on the right track. Good luck.

I agree with FlitterBug, that you may have a saddleseat saddle. That's about the only kind I haven't ridden, and I often wonder how saddleseat riders stay on with the amazing lack of padding and the braced-out stirrup position. Look into a general purpose english saddle. They have enough pommel and cantle to function as a basic dressage saddle, and enough knee roll to jump. I feel almost as secure in my GP as my barrel saddle.