by Jim Kerrigan

Created on: June 21, 2010

I have the utmost respect for English riders. I feel that the English technique is a wonderful way to learn equine movement and balance on horseback. Please do not take anything that I say here as disparagement towards English riders or English riding events.

The reason I prefer western saddles to English is the western saddle assumes the unexpected where the English assumes everything will be fine. There is nothing on an English saddle to keep you on the horse. This is not the saddle you want to ride a horse into the real world on; in the arena fine.

It is possible to get hurt on a horse regardless of saddle type but western saddles give you move to hold on to than English saddles do. While it is of the utmost importance to learn proper balance and choosing to be over the horse’s center of balance or slightly rear of it there is a lot to be said for being able to grab something when the predator spooks your horse and he unexpectedly bolts out from under your seat. Western saddles can have many extra attachments to secure the saddle for uneven ground. It can also be abbreviated with a rounded skirt or close in the case of a treeless western saddle.  

In Australia the horseman there started off riding English saddles which soon developed large cantles and polleys which are swells behind the rider and two half circles of leather in front of the thighs. These add-ons were necessary to prevent riders from falling off while traversing uneven ground found in wild environments.

English saddles developed once the English county-side became manicured. It is interesting to note those British horsemen were considered to be second rate compared to British infantrymen. In the Boers war Boer mounted rifles tore up British infantry who were eventually saved by Australian mounted rifles. Dressage is French which makes it all the more strange that we call it English.

Once a person has learned to ride in a safe saddle an English saddle and technique is a good idea (In an arena) for a person to get the feel of the horse’s movement and the English style of subtle cues. Personally I prefer a bareback pad to an English saddle because my bareback pads don’t have stirrups (No should any bare back pad) so there is nothing to get my feet caught in if I have to dismount quickly or against my will.

Now I will tell you that I have seen many English riders who have a great relationship with their horse. This is why they get away with so brief a saddle. If your horse is been there and done that then an English saddle might be just fine but if the unexpected happens you will become an airplane without the benefits of engine or wings.

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