| Although the name refers to a very specific country, | | | | posting, while in Western riding, the rider will stay in the |
| English riding is a form of horseback riding that is seen | | | | saddle. |
| all over the world. There are many different variations | | | | For many people, English riding is a discipline that |
| of English riding, but you'll find that there are certain | | | | exemplifies the grace and power that a horse can |
| factors that unify it into a style that is immediately | | | | display, and this is evident in many of the events that |
| recognizable from Western riding, which is another | | | | use this style. For instance, dressage, which is a form |
| style of horseback riding that is often seen. When you | | | | of training and competition, is always performed using |
| are looking at English riding, you'll find that some things | | | | an English saddle; dressage is a form that maximizes |
| will immediately let you know what you are looking at. | | | | the horse's potential as a riding animal, and it is aimed |
| When you are looking at English riding, you'll find that an | | | | towards enhancing the horse's precision when it |
| English saddle will be used, no matter what the horse is | | | | comes to the control of the rider. Show jumping, |
| doing. The English saddle is quite flat, without the deep | | | | where a horse is timed as it is taken over a number of |
| seat that is common to the Western saddle and | | | | obstacles, is another sport that uses English riding, as is |
| without a saddle horn. This kind of saddle is designed | | | | polo, which involves a high degree of movement and |
| to allow the horse the maximum amount of | | | | exacting timing from both animal and rider. |
| movement, no matter what task is in front of it, and | | | | While there is some discussion that is ever ongoing |
| when you realize that a horse that is being put through | | | | about whether one horse breed or another is |
| its paces in English riding will be doing things as varied | | | | preferred for Western or English style, the truth of the |
| as racing or classical dressage, you will see that that | | | | matter is that any horse can be trained to either style. |
| demands a great deal of movement in deed. | | | | Most people prefer horses trained for specific events |
| English riding consists of many different styles, but | | | | be trained exclusively in one or the other, and it does |
| virtually all of the require that both hands be held on | | | | make sense. The training in style will affect the way |
| the reins. This allows more control over the horse, and | | | | that the horse responds to stimulus and this can |
| it also changes the focus of this style from the horse | | | | strongly affect the horse's ability to perform as |
| to the rider. When you are looking at someone who is | | | | necessary. |
| riding English as opposed to Western style, you'll also | | | | When you are looking for information on styles of |
| notice that during a trot, they will tend to rise and sit | | | | riding, think about what suits you best, and make sure |
| with the rhythm of each stride, something that is called | | | | that you get all of the information that you need! |