The gait in western style riding differs from English style as the horse jogs instead of trots and lopes instead of gallops. The jog and lope represent slightly slower gaits that become smoother and more comfortable to sit for the rider than the trot and canter. A western saddle originally designed for the rigors of ranch work keeps the rider and horse comfortable for hours. Also, the saddle provides plenty of space for attaching saddlebags and rigging as well as strength enough to dally a steer and prevents the rider from slipping off during rapid maneuvers or over rugged terrain.
Today most western riding does not happen on an actual ranch. Ready to learn about all the disciplines that require a western saddle? In this post, I will explain a few of the most popular types of western riding.
Reining
Sometimes referred to as high-speed dressage, reining originated at the cattle ranch and displayed the moves required for good cattle horses to do their work. Obedience, balance, and suppleness of the horse as well as a good interplay between horse and rider became the overall goal. Competitive reining takes place in an arena and consists of movements such as slow and fast circles, 360-degree spins, and sliding stops. All work occurs at the lope or gallop. The rider rides with a loose rein and allows the horse’s head carriage to be low yet, remains in full control of the horse.
Watch this great video showing English and Western dressage side-by side:
Barrel Racing
Barrel racing demonstrates a rodeo discipline in which three barrels arranged in a clover leaf pattern in an arena require horse and rider to navigate around all three barrels in the shortest amount of time possible. While the premise appears simple, the execution demands both strength and speed from the horse. The interplay between horse and rider must meet near perfection to round the barrels as closely as possible while limiting the time. However, not so close to tip the barrel which gives a time penalty. Barrel racing may take place both individually and in teams.
See the video of Barrel Racing at 2020 Will Rogers Range Riders Rodeo:
Pole Bending
Much like a slalom event, pole bending involves the horse and rider weaving a serpentine pattern around a set of six poles paced 21 feet (6.4 meters) apart. The horse and rider enter the arena and ride as fast as possible to the last pole before turning sharply to the left around the pole. They then twist their way through the poles before turning around and repeating the action. After the final pole, they turn sharply and gallop to the end of the arena. The horse and rider team that completes the course in the quickest time without incurring any faults becomes the winner.
Watch 2019 Pole Bending World Champion:
Cutting
Cuttting originated from the need for working ranchers to isolate a cow for branding, inspection, etc. from the rest of the herd. The horse and rider must within two minutes select and separate two animals from a herd of between 10 to 20 cattle. One cow must come from the middle of the herd while the other cow comes from the edge. Once a cow separates from the herd, the horse uses his “cow sense” to prevent the cow from returning to the rest of the herd. Cutting relies on the horse instead of the rider with lower marks assessed by judges if the rider appears to interfere with the horse.
Team Penning
Another competitive event called penning involves a team of three riders who select between three to five steers from a herd and then drive them into a small pen within a set amount of time. The herd of cattle all have a different number on them. Teams receive certain numbers to separate from the herd and move them to another pen within 60 seconds. Once all the selected steers become isolated in the pen, the gate shuts. The fastest team becomes the winner.
Team Roping
Western movies often depict cowboys throwing lassos around a steer’s horns. Team roping demonstrates a real test of teamwork with the horse tracking a free running calf or steer. The rider lassos the animal, jumps off, and then restrains the animal. Each team consists of two riders, a header who ropes the calf or steer’s head, and a heeler who ropes the animal’s heels. Starting on either side of the cattle chute where the calf or steer enters the ring, the header ropes the calf first before turning it to the left enabling the heeler to lasso the heels. The team that does this task in the quickest time becomes the overall winner.
Trail Riding
Trail riding classes and events demonstrate how well the rider and horse work together. Judges evaluate how well participants’ teamwork overcomes a series of obstacles. The obstacles can either occur in an enclosed ring or outside on an open course and consist of a variety of different challenges. These can include things such as crossing a bridge, stepping over a series of logs, side passes typically with the horse’s feet on either side of a rail or 90° and 180° turns as well as backing the horse up while opening and closing gates. Distractions such as the rider waving noisy objects test the horse’s calmness and aid in the judges’ evaluation. While speed does not factor in judging, the rider must consider the limited amount of time given to negotiate each obstacle. Penalties exist if the rider takes too long negotiating the course.
See 2018 Trail World Champion:
