[Tasia]

In the near future after my life settles down. I would like to try english. Just the basics getting used to the saddle and constant collection. I am guessing this will take me about a year to get the basics down(maybe less?). I believe my horse would do well because of his movement. I will be getting a couple lessons. What kind of equitment do I need? Any tips on how to start? What did it cost you for all your tack? Should I try it?

Thank you
Tasia

 

[tealamutt]

definitely try it. See if you can borrow some tack at first, or find some quality used items that way it is less of a committment if you don't like it. Definitely get a trainer, it will give you a better first experience and set you on the right path. Also, collection is definitely not a basic- it is something that takes a very long time to work up to both for horse and rider. But there are plenty of new things to learn and discover on your way there. Best of luck, english riding is a heck of a lot of fun!

 

[Tasia]

I should of clarrified my horse naturally carries himself because of the amount of training we have been threw. Maybe constant contact with the bit is better.

 

[gogirl46]

I always try to encourage people to try the discipline opposite of them. Your western bridle is fine for lessons, just switch to a snaffle is you ride in anything else. Also, an english saddle is necessary (search consignment first) along with a well fitting girth. Then you need at least one contour pad. The square pads for colour is optional. Depending on the buld of your horse, he/he might need a breastplate or a crupper but I doubt it if you haven't had problems with slipping saddles (if you have, look into them). If your horse carries himself/herself like your icon, a martingale will probably not be necessary. Do you plan on jumping or just getting into the english ways?

Also, no matter what, a riding helmet. Everytime you get on your loyal steed - helmet. And a certified riding helmet at that. I don't care if your head is big, so is mine. I don't care if you don't like the feel, so what. Or any other crap reasons. Helmet!!! (I've heard too many excuses so I'm covering them right off the back)

I hope that helps! Feel free to pm me anytime for help. I am currently helping two good friends transition from western to english and I ride both so I'm not biased

Good luck!

 

[Roperchick]

definitely try it. theres so many differant disiplines for english. after you get the basics down (doesnt really take long) you can go into almost anything. jumping, basic dressage, even polo and polo-cross! its great

as for equiptment you should go with a pleasure saddle. it can be used for basically any disipline. its okay for jumping and dressage you just have to work a little harder for the right position and form in the saddle. And an english bit and bridle w/ a cavason are best, espessially if you are transitioning from western to english because it is something differant and will help your horse to concentrate and tell the differance between the disiplines and what you are asking of him.

 

[tealamutt]

I should of clarrified my horse naturally carries himself because of the amount of training we have been threw. Maybe constant contact with the bit is better.

ah, yes, that makes more sense! Is that your horse in your avatar?? simply gorgeous! I found some great deals on saddles on craigslist and ebay and you can find them on here too. The only caveat is that it is hard to fit a saddle over the internet and having one that fits right is very important (as I'm sure you know). You want to make the transition as fun as possible for you and your horse and I completely concur with the above post about a helmet. I took mine off once on a hot day for 30 seconds, had a horse spook, I came off and suffered a severe concussion.

 

[hrsecrzie]

See if you can find a super cheap all purpose saddle, or borrow one from a friend... just make sure that it fits the horse. the best way for this to be a possitive experience for the both of you is for everything to fit correctly. I love english and jumping, but put me in a western saddle and I'll do jus fine. I've found that alot of the little thing with western and english are the same. for me the big difference in how you ride is NO neck reining! it doesn't work with the snaffle as much as it does with a shank. the sturrip lenght can be hard to get use to, i think the best way to adjust is to slow move the sturrip up. Hope you both have fun!

 

[Tasia]

Has anyone used those wintecs? they look comfortable. What is a contour pad? I ALWAYS wear a helmet its never been a problem. I have a purple nylon bridle with a o ring snaffle would that work for now?

 

[gogirl46]

A contour pad is shaped just like the saddle, hence, contour.

Your purple nylon should work. If you get series, a leather one should be bought.

I've tried a wintec and I didn't like it. I felt like I was sitting in the horse. But to each rider their own.

 

[englishrider]

you should definitly try it and it took me like 2 weeks to get english down...

i get a horse next year wahooo

 

[Scoutrider]

Definitely give English a try!

I advise borrowing tack to start, but if you do want to buy, an all purpose type saddle is probably your best bet until you decide if you want to specialize further into jumping or dressage. I bought my no-name AP saddle on eBay for $120 + s&h, (Saddle, stirrup irons and leathers, and pad), and my plain raised snaffle bridle w/ laced reins at TSC for something like $30 (uber good sale, they were getting rid of all the English inventory). The shape of your pad doesn't really matter unless you're showing. Too many pads can cause the saddle to pinch, just like western. If you do buy a saddle, remember that English saddles are measured differently than westerns (usually a couple of inches larger: I personally ride a 14-15 inch western and a 16-17 inch English). Your nylon bridle will definitely work if you aren't showing.

One tip: Take a leather curb strap (no chain) and run it through the front dee rings of your English saddle as a grab strap if you feel unbalanced. It took me a little while to feel really secure without that big western pommel and horn in front of me.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[Tasia]

Thanks guys! I am going down to Vancouver aganist me own will (thanks mom =*( so there is supposed to be some awesome tack shops down there.

 

[Tasia]

What kind of colours should I go with?

 

[gogirl46]

Go with browns. There are lots of different ones but black tack only looks good on certain horses so try to match your brown tack as much as possible.

 

[maura]

it took me like 2 weeks to get english down...

Wow, makes all of us who have spent years learning to master it seem foolish, doens't it?

 

[Tasia]

I was thinking hunter green or brown. Problem there is so many different shades of brown.

 

[gogirl46]

If you get hunter green tack, then if you decide to show, you have to go out an buy everything again.

There are a bunch of different sgades but most match pretty closely. Start with the saddle and match colours as best as possible from there.

 

[Tasia]

So all I need is
- a all porpose saddle
- a bridle (BTW what does raised meanÉ)
- a schooling pad
- a contour pad
the saddle, bridle, and contour pad all in brown. The schoolig pad in any colour.

 

[Sghorselover]

yes that is all you need for now!
for my preference i would go with a white one because it looks better than brown.

I hope were all talking about this type of contour saddle pad
http://www.tackroominc.com/images/Mattes-Contour-Pad-with-Tri.jpg

 

[tealamutt]

Wow, makes all of us who have spent years learning to master it seem foolish, doens't it?

lol, maura that is what I first thought when I read that too. I think she just meant feeling more natural after switching from western. To the OP, if you're thinking of showing I suggest looking into the local requirements so that you don't go out and blow a ton on new tack and find out most of it is wrong!