[Cadillac]

Hi, I'm new to this board. I just purchase my new partner, a t/b. I'm not sure what I'm going to do beside trail riding. I am a recent western riding convert. He's tall, 17 h, has a great attitude. Am I crazy chosing to ride western with him?

 

[thunderhooves]

nope. I know some people on here ride their huge drafts in western saddle. Of course, choose trails with no low-hanging branches with such a tall boy.
Remember, not every tall horse has to be ridden english, and vice-versa. Good Luck!

 

[SorrelHorse]

Naw. Toni has herself an 18.2hh team penning horse. Hehe, don't worry about it.

 

[iridehorses]

18.2h??? I'll bet Toni can see those numbers real well! I'd be concerned about a cow running under my horse!

When I made the switch from English to Western, I had a OTT App that was 16.2h and he (Pongo) made a good trail horse. My only problem was that the group I rode with used to deliberately ride in close cover and I was the one who got wacked with branches and spider webs.

 

[HowClever]

my 16.2hh thoroughbred is ridden in a western saddle and bridle, and i must say he looks simply divine when he is all decked out....must take some pictures to share one day

 

[Ridehorses99]

I have a 16h paint and a 14.3h QH. I love riding the QH for trails because we aren't ducking the whole ride. However, my paint is a much more elegant mover in the arena and does well in Western Pleasure and Trail class.

 

[Maire995]

Umm if your just trail riding i would personally say that a thourbred would be wasted at that job! they are best suited to racing and jumping! Although that is just my opinion!

 

[Brighteyes]

Umm if your just trail riding i would personally say that a thourbred would be wasted at that job! they are best suited to racing and jumping! Although that is just my opinion!

I'm sure the horse doesn't think that.

 

[FGRanch]

My hubby's western horse is almost 17hh. I could never imagine her being an english horse...

 

[Kansasbarrelracer]

Umm if your just trail riding i would personally say that a thourbred would be wasted at that job! they are best suited to racing and jumping! Although that is just my opinion!

Actually some thoroughbreds make the best trail horses. I use my thoroughbred gelding mainly for trails because he is so level headed


So yes any horse will make a good trail horse, and you don't have to ride your thoroughbred english. Shoot, there was even a woman running her thoroughbred in the NFR (he was running barrels) and he kicked butt.