When one talks about western riding, one thinks about broncos, chaps, Stetsons, lassos, rounding up and branding. That is the glamourized version, there is, however, a significant difference between the western riding style and the English one. The differences cover an entire range of mounted activities, but the big difference is that western riding uses western tack.

The western pleasure class is one of the highly popular elements of western riding. It is designed to help newbies adjust to show and trail riding. It enables them to gain the type of experience that would stand them in an excellent position in shows or on the trail.

When it comes down to competition, the western pleasure class has assorted requirements that depend on the governing body and the horse breed. The requirements also vary depending on the rider’s plans. In standard terms, western pleasure classes are judged fundamentally on a horses’ capacities to guarantee pleasing rides through their responsiveness, their attitude, and their movements. When you compete, you take charge of your horse’s movement. You hold the responsibility of making certain your pony is adequately schooled to provide a significant amount of riding pleasure.

Pleasure classes differ from events like trail, reining and western riding in that the competitor is not the sole ring participant, but is part of a bunch of competitors. The contestant does not get judged on an individual basis

I have 2 tips on western riding for you.

Tip 1 Discipline

A nicely behaved and cleanly turned out pony is extremely important for pleasure riding. You horse should show consistency in obedience, instant responses to cues and a pleasing demeanor. Your horse should not exhibit the common equine tendency of getting influenced by arenas: they get excited by the atmosphere, the crowds and the presence of other horses and they show their excitement.

It is vital, therefore , that you train your horse to be in control of himself at every point. You should have trained him to take in everything in and around the arena with equanimity, by stimulating arena conditions and injuring him to them. When a pony is trained like this, he sheds his bent to react with excitement or fear. Western pleasure rides don’t tax your pony physically, and so, it is absolutely a must that your horse exhibits an unruffled demeanor and a peaceful disposition. This will rely upon how well he’s been desensitized or ‘sacked’.

Tip 2 Horse-rider connection

Probably the most important scoring point in pleasure riding is coordination between rider and horse. Communication must be seamless, without any flaws. The rider has to show that he’s totally in control and that the horse is totally in compliance. This type of coordination can be achieved thru constant practice over a spell of time. While riding the trail, though, the only concern should be the safety and enjoyment of both horse and rider.

Confidence in both rider and pony is imperative. Judges will judge both on the effortlessness with which they’re going thru the routines. They will give you negative marks if your cues and commands are visible to them. This is one of their primary judgment factors: they should not be able to detect your communication with your horse. You can achieve a lot in this regard if you are fully alert to the fact that your energy infects your pony too , and you want to stay positive calm but also ready.

Horses are Heather Tomspassion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of articles with other horse lovers click here