How to Ride in an English Saddle

Riding horses is fun and great exercise. There are several ways to ride horses, many of them differing from each other because of the tack used on the horse. This article will give you tips on how to ride in an English saddle.

Things You'll Need

  • English saddle
  • Instructor
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Instructions

    • 1

      Riding English is one of the more challenging ways to ride a horse. First and foremost, be prepared to take lessons. Unless you are already a very accomplished rider, learning to ride English will be a challenge.

    • 2

      Make certain your saddle fits you. Your instructor will help you with this task. The stirrups must be adjusted so they are neither too long nor too short. When seated properly, your shoulder, hip and ankle should be in a straight line.

    • 3

      Learn to post the trot. This is when you use your upper thigh muscles to lift your seat up as the inside shoulder of the horse moves forward. The natural action of the horse at the trot will give you "lift" to help you learn this movement. This is one of the key elements of riding English, and must be mastered before moving onto the canter.

    • 4

      Use your seat to guide the horse. In English, your seat is as much an aid as your hands. You can communicate commands to your horse by using your seat properly. Moving your hips forward as the horse moves forward encourages him to speed up. Sitting deeper in the saddle will slow your horse down.

    • 5

      Don't be afraid to have setbacks. Balance is tricky in an English saddle, and learning how to ride in one, and ride well, will take a great deal of patience and dedication. But always remember that you will be a much better rider, in any saddle or bareback, than before you decided to ride English style.