English vs. Western

White Foot · 06-09-2009, 12:20 PM

Here's the deal I have a short stocky "bulldog" built QH and when he was in training I wanted him to go back after his general training and go for English/jumping training but the trainer said "he doesn't have an english bone in his body" and she thinks he should go for barrel racing, neck reigning or some western sport.

I know that horses can generally do anything but will excel more in one type vs. the other. I've given western a chance and yeah it was nice but nothing about it appealed to me and still doesn't. I know some of you will say to give him up and get a different horse but that is not an option.

Sixxofdiamonds · 06-09-2009, 12:27 PM

I remember a horse that showed in the class above me at AQHA shows who was the most bulldog-y Quarter Horse ever. He took his Halter classes hands down, no questions.

Then the girl hopped on him an an english saddle and the boy could extend! It was crazy!

By the looks of him, I'd have placed him lowest in the class. Then he started moving and he took first. Go figure.

The looks don't really matter much, but the way the horse moves DOES.

farmpony84 · 06-09-2009, 12:31 PM

If it's the horse in the avatar, I bet he can do english... Jumping will probably not be a huge issue for him either... are you looking for local hunt or bigger stuff?

White Foot · 06-09-2009, 12:36 PM

Yeah, I'm just looking to do the little stuff for now.

What do you mean the way they move? He's no WP but no Waradmiral either...

Sixxofdiamonds · 06-09-2009, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Equestriun

Yeah, I'm just looking to do the little stuff for now.

What do you mean the way they move? He's no WP but no Waradmiral either...

Like my horse for example. He'll never be a high-level dressage horse because he doesn't have fancier action, he moves flat-kneed. He moves how a western pleasure horse should.

I'm not saying speed, I'm saying his movements. If you posted a video, it would be easier to judge.

Out in the field, if a horse runs up to fences and rolls back and stops really well, they're naturally good at doing reining. No matter what they look like.

When my horse is out in the field, he lopes along, head down and VERY slowly (I can run faster) which means he's just naturally good at western pleasure.

If you can get your guy to extend his legs at a trot and bring his knees up over a jump there's no reason he can't do hunter/jumper classes. Just because he's not the typical build, doesn't mean he can't do it.

Also, just because he naturally moves a certain way doesn't mean he can't do something else either. He may not excel at it, but it doesn't mean he can't!

But really, unless he has some very messed up conformation (which I doubt) then he won't have a problem moving english or going over jumps. Will you make it to the Olympic level? Probably not, but he can still do it!

Free-lunge him over some jumps, ask him to extend his trot. If he does it, then I don't see why you wouldn't be able to while riding him.

farmpony84 · 06-09-2009, 12:50 PM

Right... what she said... My horse is bred for western pleasure, he looks like a western horse BUT, he can, and he does move out for the english. Your horse looks like a western pleasure horse but if he can drop his head and stretch those legs, there is no reason he can't do the english. Your horse will never be the first place in an AQHA english show, but locally and even the bigger hunt shows, there is no reason he can't compete. (My horse will never be the first place english horse in AQHA either - they are looking for the 17 hand tb types these days)...

sandsarita · 06-09-2009, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by farmpony84

(My horse will never be the first place english horse in AQHA either - they are looking for the 17 hand tb types these days)...

quick rant: sometimes 17+ - I'm looking for a new QH for working hunter, and one's brother is 18.2H. 18.2, that's TOO big. Aghh!!!!!!!!!!!! The little 16h horse I tried last is an absolute midget these days

Anyways, any horse can do something. If you really like your horse, and really want to do English, then go for it. But if you could go either way on your horse, or if you really want to show at the big shows, it might be time to look again. But you'll never know until you tried it. Heck, I jumped, and showed, my Dad's roping horse a couple of times - my Dad wanted me to get him better broke, so I did, and in the process started doing 2'6" courses on him.

farmpony84 · 06-09-2009, 01:39 PM

My first horse was a 15.2 QH (he's 25 now) but I rode him in the hunt cicuit for years and he was very competetive. I jumped him as high as 3 feet (I am not a strong jumper). I believe you can do it...

And Sandsarita, I know what you mean, I havent' sticked my boy lately but I would geuss he's around 16hh, and at this weekends show... He was TINY!

dreamrideredc · 06-09-2009, 03:01 PM

Well of course you shouldnt give him up! I say try it and see what happens...i bet he can do it and you never know. I would say its at least worth a try :)

White Foot · 06-09-2009, 04:29 PM

"Out in the field, if a horse runs up to fences and rolls back and stops really well, they're naturally good at doing reining. No matter what they look like."

-That describes Gunther perfectly but like I said I have no desire to compete in reigning. I'll try to get a video once things slow down around here.

"Your horse looks like a western pleasure horse but if he can drop his head and stretch those legs, there is no reason he can't do the english. Your horse will never be the first place in an AQHA english show"

-Gunther would never make it as a WP horse, if you knew him you would understand why. Yeah, I'm not looking to take first at worlds or anything.

"Anyways, any horse can do something. If you really like your horse, and really want to do English, then go for it. But if you could go either way on your horse, or if you really want to show at the big shows, it might be time to look again. But you'll never know until you tried it."

-My thing is I love this horse to death and he means alot to me but I don't want to take him in one thing and then have him miss out on something he could really excel at like BR or reigning. I always always taught to try something before I say I don't like it and when I did the western sports, yeah, they were fun but nothing I would love to further my career in.

"my first horse was a 15.2 QH (he's 25 now) but I rode him in the hunt cicuit for years and he was very competetive. I jumped him as high as 3 feet (I am not a strong jumper). I believe you can do it.... "

- That gives me hope!

"i would say its at least worth a try :) "

-True

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