Beginners Guide To Horses

Hunt Seat

One of the things that so many people would find surprising to learn about horse riding is that there are a number of different styles of riding. These styles of riding are known as disciplines in horse lingo.

Before you buy or lease a horse, or even take lessons, you need to determine which discipline you are interested in. Each of these disciplines includes different types of tack (riding equipment like saddles and bridles) and the rider also assumes different riding positions in the saddle. For example, in saddle seat, the rider sits further back on the horse’s back.

Your choice of riding style is a personal one. You should choose a discipline that appeals to you. Some of the most common disciplines include Hunt Seat, Dressage, Western and Saddle Seat.

Hunt Seat

The English discipline of hunt seat originated from the British sport of fox hunting. Hunt Seat is probably one of the most popular disciplines in the world. If you are interested in jumping, then this could be the discipline for you. It is not uncommon for those who do hunt seat to go on to do show jumping, which is a timed and involves higher jumps. Many riders who participate in hunt seat also participate in shows where they are judged over fences and on the flat.  Over fences simply means jumping and on the flat involves riding the horse at the walk, trot and canter.  In the past, any people who ride hunt seat rode Thoroughbreds, but this is starting to change and we are starting to see more Warmbloods.

Dressage

Dressage is another English discipline. This style is one of the oldest in the world. It was originally used in ancient Europe for military maneuvers. The word dressage is French for “training”. Dressage is the guiding of a horse through a series of complex maneuvers by very slight movements of the rider’s hands, legs, and weight (aids). In dressage, riders compete in tests of increasing levels of difficulty. The levels include Introductory Level, Training Level, First Level, Second Level, Third Level, Fourth Level and Olympic Level. At each level, the horse is evaluated for relaxation, rhythm, impulsion and contact. Although any breed of horse can be used in dressage, warmbloods are often the breed of choice.

Western

If you have watched a cowboy movie on television, then you are already familiar with the Western style of riding. Western horse riding and the use of the western saddle can be credited to the American West. People who herd cattle in the American West still enjoy Western riding, but it has also become a form of pleasure and show riding. Western show classes often include western pleasure, trail, gymkhana, reining, roping and cutting. A popular western horse is the American Quarter Horse.

SaddleSeat

SaddleSeat is considered an English discipline although is unique to America. The history of saddle seat originates from the American South, where this discipline is still popular. Gaited horses like Tennessee Walking Horses, Racking Horses and Saddlebreds that have more “knee action” are typical of this discipline. The primary purpose of this style of riding is to show, but some saddle seatriders also enjoy trail riding. In saddle seat competitions either the horse’s movement, or the rider’s position can be judged. Successful horses in this discipline must be very flashy.