[amy]

At the farms I mignt start working at alot of the horses are english. My current BM wants me to ride a horse in english before I go to get the feel of it. Is there anything I need to know about my seat or hands or maybe even how much contact I need on their mouth? My BM tells me its really easy and that I should be able to pick it up since I already do well in western. I know I will probably use new muscles, but I'm not too worried about that. I'm just worried about finding my balance those first few seconds :lol:

 

[JumpingJellyBean]

You will love english!
For balance you just need to really sink down in your heels.
And just remember to have fun.

 

[amy]

Lol of course I will, it's horses!

 

[JumpingJellyBean]

When aren't you having fun around horses? lol

 

[White Foot]

English and western aren't different, it's the same basic structure. Unless of course the horse neck reins.

 

[Ahsisi]

In western people tend to sit more on their "butt". In english you need to sit more on your seat bones...rolled forward on them a bit. Your leg will be more underneath you in english (there whould be a straight line form your shoulder to your hip to your heel). Your reins will probably be a little bit shorter (and you will use both hands...one on either rein) and your should have a light contact on the horses mouth. Enjoy!!! English is AWESOME!!! =)

 

[Aliboo]

Have your instructor go slow and easy. use the deepest parts of your saddle, keep your shoulder, hips and heels in a line, sit up straight etc.its a lot to remember, but after a while it comes really easy!

 

[-xx-sally-xx-]

My most favourite (and most beneficial!!) pointer i got from a lady was "sit on your pockets" it makes you sit a lot straighter in the saddle. In english, your hands are held up relatively high and a straight line from your elbow to the bit (as you've probably been told a MILLION times!!). Your lower leg is also more underneath you (as you're coming from western into english, your lower leg may tend to want to push forward, which in turn pushes you out of correct position and makes you lean back.) Just remeber, hands UP knees DOWN (which pushes your heels down. Try it!!) and most of all RELAX!! haha, it will feel very uncomfortable and a bit unco for the first week or so because you're basically reshifting your weight and therefore you balance and asking your body to do something its not used to. A lot of people think western and english are virtually the same, but i personally think they're very VERY different. You use different muscles, hold your arms and legs in different positions and ride in a completely different style. But have fun,, and keep it happy!! Good luck!!