There are lots of decisions to make when you first start learning to ride. Perhaps one of the more important ones is whether to ride English or western. This will likely be influenced by the people you know, the area you live in and what your goals are. Certainly you may live in an area where western riding is popular, but if you dream of jumping, a western saddle might not be the best choice.
I first learned how to ride western--that's the way everyone rode around here. In the early 1970s, my mother bought her first English saddle, a brand new English made Barnsby with the astounding price tag of $200 (no I didn't miss a 0 there). The big secret from my dad was she had to pay extra for the stirrups and leathers. From then on, I learned to ride English. So, once you've decided to learn to horseback ride, should you take up English or Western riding? The basics are very similar. But
The Differences Between Western and English Riding explains the origins of each style and the skills, equipment and apparel you'll need.
Learn More About Riding Horseback:
It's only few more months before the 2012 London Olympics begin!
I know my daughter will be watching the eventing as much as possible, while I love watching and learning from the dressage competitions. What equestrian sport are you looking forward to following? Are you a show jumping fan? Do you appreciate the intricacies of dressage (or does it make your eyes glaze over)? Or will you be following the excitement of eventing? Take the poll and leave your comments below!
Learn More About Olympic Equestrian Events:
I once received 'gift horse' who was 27 year old. That's old, right? Not if you asked her. At 27 she was still going strong. So how long do horses and ponies live? Thanks to an improved understanding of their care, just like humans, horse lifespan is increasing. Here's some
information on horse's life span and comparative age that may surprise you.
There's Lots More to Read About Horse's Age:
I can't help but be amazed by the source of Potomac Horse Fever. In some areas, PHF is a real concern and it is made more confusing because the symptoms are very similar to a few other illnesses and diseases that horses can get. Whether or not PHF is something you have to worry about is something you need to ask your veterinarian. If you live or travel with your horse to marshy areas, or live by bodies of water, you may need to vaccinate against this disease. Those of us who live in drier areas of the continent probably don't need to be quite so concerned. I know in my own area, PHF is unheard of. Learn more about Potomac Horse Fever.
More About Horse Health:
