Got western? Yep, for your dressage critter

[Coreene]

Lovin' me my western saddle, as shown in photo. Also have Pimp My Ride double ear headstall, covered with silver, matching reins and pimparillo curb bit.

Horse LOVES his western rides.

[stryder]

Lovin' me my western saddle, as shown in photo. Also have Pimp My Ride double ear headstall, covered with silver, matching reins and pimparillo curb bit.

Horse LOVES his western rides.

Oh, Oliver has more than one outfit? He goes both ways? What a crazy concept! ;)

Where is said "Pimp My Ride double ear headstall, covered with silver, matching reins and pimparillo curb bit."

We need pictures!

[Coreene]

I will take some this weekend. It is the most expensive outfit of all for just walking around in, since all we do in that is walk around. Every now and then he may do a bit of work in it, but those days he has a matching snaffle bridle, no pimpage but of course the leather matches.

:lol:

[stryder]

Well of course the leather matches! Doesn't that go without saying?:lol:

[Janet]

How do you think I learned to sit the trot on the not-smooth horse I had as a junior (Rocket)?

I borrowed Patty's western saddle for several days. Once I got the hang of it using the Western saddle, it carried over to the Engolsh saddle.

No pictures, unfortunately.

[Vesper Sparrow]

After I buy a jumping saddle, I'm going to save up for a Western one (don't know where I'm going to put all these saddles). I took two years of Western lessons and some days, I have a hankerin' to go round some barrels and do some pole bendin'.

[cutemudhorse]

I'd like to try cutting. However, as Denny (I think) said, I'd probably end up (on the ground) facing north on (from) a southbound facing horse! :lol:

I really like the Circle Y trail saddle I bought for my husband who still doesn't ride. :) It's very well balanced. Some do throw ya up against the cantle,I think.

[monstrpony]

Folks, if any of y'all ever get a chance to go to a Buck Brannaman clinic and watch him ride one of his two-rein or bridle horses, you will finally and forever be convinced that the imaginary boundaries between good dressage and good western horsemanship are a figment of narrow imaginations and nothing more. Good riding is good riding, period.

That said, don't forget that there is a lot of bad riding out there, alas--but no one discipline has a corner on it.

[twofatponies]

I wish I'd had my camera the day a friend of mine brought her fancy competition dressage horse and a new horse into the indoor. The new horse spooked while she was adjusting tack, and ran off, and wouldn't be caught. She mounted her dressage horse and did some amazing, effortless cow-cutting moves, quickly caught the naughty new horse, and brought him back to the mounting block. It was hysterical.

[mypaintwattie]

Oliver's girlfriend Sierra finds nothing wrong with doing the whole western thing- she pulls it off quite well:winkgrin:

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt249/wattie824/P1060939.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt249/wattie824/P1060288.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt249/wattie824/P1070132.jpg

But she also enjoys her rides in her close contact saddle or her dressage saddle equally as much, and *brag* does just as well in those rings too. SHe has taught me a good horse is a good horse, it really doesn't matter what you ride them in.

[JackSprats Mom]

WOW I never knew we had so many cross dressers on this board!:eek::lol:

[stryder]

MPW: Is that a quickbit I spy? I haven't seen one of those for years!

They were all the rage when I rode western way back when the earth was new.
Just seemed so practical!

[mypaintwattie]

MPW: Is that a quickbit I spy? I haven't seen one of those for years!

They were all the rage when I rode western way back when the earth was new.
Just seemed so practical!

Yup! A friend gave it to me many years ago, it sat in the bottom of my tackbox, survived being thrown out once or twice, and when I decided to move over to the darkside with my mare I tried it on her- she LOVES it!

[stryder]

So cool!

My paint loves her baucher. So we use it even when I slip over to the darkside for a short ride. I can't imagine her going in my quickbit - high port w/copper roller.

JSM: cross-dressers and proud of it! :lol:

[cutemudhorse]

Monstrpony, you are so right!

And I'd love to see Buck Branahan. (sp)

I saw where there's a Jack Brainard clinic in se PA. . . probably at Willowbrook.

Haven't seen him ride, but Mark Rashid is pretty quiet and intuitive with his groundwork.

What English folks don't realize is that the good Western riders and trainers are concerned about things like the horse's footfalls and balance. :eek::yes:

And yes that's what I say --- my horses and I are cross dressers!! I just rode my four year old mare in a Chris Cox clinic in my Western saddle with my English bridle w/French link dee ring. I guess I could have changed the bridle, but the mare didn't care! :lol: She got to herd cattle ! --- I was afraid she was too green for me if she decided to have a fit when she got near the cows. It was a non-event w/Chris on her. :):)

[mypaintwattie]

So cool!

My paint loves her baucher. So we use it even when I slip over to the darkside for a short ride. I can't imagine her going in my quickbit - high port w/copper roller.

JSM: cross-dressers and proud of it! :lol:

That's the exact bit I have- high port w/ covered copper roller. She loves the bit and goes so well in it- better than even a regular low or medium port. I am so glad I kept it for all those years. She goes well in alot of bits though- just put her in a double bridle for the first time and she took to it like it was nothing.

[stryder]

That's the exact bit I have- high port w/ covered copper roller. She loves the bit and goes so well in it- better than even a regular low or medium port.

Mine might even be a spade. I'll have to dig it out and check.

[Coreene]

MPW's mare also had high score of the day (and 3rd highest score) her first time out in the dressage ring. Oliver is madly in love with her.

[stryder]

MPW's mare also had high score of the day (and 3rd highest score) her first time out in the dressage ring. Oliver is madly in love with her.

I would say that Oliver has excellent taste. She's quite the looker.

[Lambie Boat]

Please sir, I'd like some MORE!

[thatmoody]

Friesians look ODD in western saddles, I think, but they are muy handy for trail riding. I have a big horn trail saddle that I use on him and he luvs it, because he knows when I swing that big saddle up there that he's going OUT! I ride in the same bridle, though.

I used to have a Crates roping saddle that I just loved, and I wish I still had it. It weighed a lot, though, and was slick as snot, so I don't know how I broke so many horses in it. The seat was nice and flat, though, so I could get into whatever position I needed, and it was tough. I miss that saddle...

[DressageGeek "Ribbon Ho"]

How do you get all that weight on his back? Because the saddle itself is heavy, even without the bling!

Or is that it...that's the exercise, then you are too tired to do anything more but walk around?

[Coreene]

It only weighs 27 lbs. BTW, some of you already know, but Oliver had a blast with an AQHA Worlds winner for a few months earlier this year, who taught him some very good Cowpony Manners. He thought it was like horse camp. ;)

[MidlifeCrisis]

How do you get all that weight on his back? Because the saddle itself is heavy, even without the bling!


Here's how you get a western saddle onto the horse's back.
http://www.bayequest.info/2minvideo/41.htm
Best to practice on a fence and not your horse:lol:

I'm ashamed to admit that I have 3 saddles for my horse and my daughter has one more. He cross dresses in many ways. Now to go watch my Eddie Izzard DVD.

[MistyBlue]

Here ya go Midlife:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EpRQjGjEHk

Oliver looks *dreamy* in his Manly Western Togs. :yes: Mucho Macho!

And Wattie...absolutely loverly. I can see why she drives the menfolk wild.
BTW...that pale blue color is absolutely smashing on her!!! Looks great with her coloring, your coloring and the tack!

Another bonus for western....color! And while massive bright colors and gobs of bling are perfectly acceptable...I do find a splash of color with just the right amount of bling stunning. :D

I have my first western saddle...at least my first owned one. And am *loving* it! Have been wracking my brain for decent saddle pad color combos to go with the western saddle and my horse colors...since I'm still a bit of a traditionalist I'm not ready for day-glo colors, so far have stuck to basic patterns in black, tan and cream and those do look really nice with my tack and chestnut horses. But will now look for that pale blue for Sonny (rabicano chestnut, so lighter in color than Pete) and maybe a nice pale apple green for Pete who's the typical almost pumpkin orange chestnut?

Although I am not really a dressage rider...despite having dressage tack. (and western, a CC and an Aussie) Actually am a jumper rider...so the longer irons do confuse me from time to time. (old style jumper rider, used to almost jockey length irons, LOL) So I don't qualify as a cross dresser. :( But I am liking that even with the more tack that comes with western...my guys can be ridden pretty much 80% by seat alone. Reins for fine tuning if needed...otherwise they're pretty much decorative. ;)

[KBEquine]

Folks, if any of y'all ever get a chance to go to a Buck Brannaman clinic and watch him ride one of his two-rein or bridle horses, you will finally and forever be convinced that the imaginary boundaries between good dressage and good western horsemanship are a figment of narrow imaginations and nothing more. Good riding is good riding, period.

That said, don't forget that there is a lot of bad riding out there, alas--but no one discipline has a corner on it.

Tru-er words were never spoken!

By the way - I bought my Billy Cook cuttin' saddle because it felt so much like my old Steubben Romanus that I imported from Germany back in the Dark Ages that I had my landmarks . . . something I dearly miss in my husband's western saddles . . .

[stryder]

Another bonus for western....color! And while massive bright colors and gobs of bling are perfectly acceptable...I do find a splash of color with just the right amount of bling stunning. :D

I have my first western saddle...at least my first owned one. And am *loving* it! Have been wracking my brain for decent saddle pad color combos to go with the western saddle and my horse colors...since I'm still a bit of a traditionalist I'm not ready for day-glo colors, so far have stuck to basic patterns in black, tan and cream and those do look really nice with my tack and chestnut horses. But will now look for that pale blue for Sonny (rabicano chestnut, so lighter in color than Pete) and maybe a nice pale apple green for Pete who's the typical almost pumpkin orange chestnut?



MB, Hobby Horse has it all figured out for you!
http://www.hobbyhorseinc.com/09_dress_for_success/winning_colors/index.shtml

You, too, can dress for success! These color combos are stunning.

[Perfect Pony]

Here's my Hanoverian cow pony getting ready for a trail ride
http://inlinethumb57.webshots.com/44408/2451681140104500765S600x600Q85.jpg

[Sabovee]

SHOCKING... "Ruining" your fancy dressage horse by sullying it with western gear. THE HORRORS.

I do it too.....
Here's my PSG horse taking my BIL on a trail ride ... in western tack... at GETTYSBURG. GOD!
http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs019.snc1/4527_202916455045_818070045_7026870_3435701_n.jpg

Playing on Wyatt in zee western gear
http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs090.snc1/4649_205283680127_684385127_7275081_6968886_n.jpg

Be careful though! Playing with your dressage horse in western tack can lead to horrible consequences. Like, purchasing a reining horse so you don't have to play dress up anymore ;)
http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs261.snc1/8818_272921670045_818070045_8716278_3461901_n.jpg

[Hampton Bay]

We bought a western saddle for hubby to learn to ride. I've never found a western saddle that I was comfortable in until I tried this one. I LOVE it.

Now if only I could actually lift it. And it only fits the young horse, not my mare with big withers.

[mvp]

I'll tell you what: My 1980 (or so?) MacPherson tooled, silvered equitation bucket puts me in dressage formation as well as any actual one.

And if you think Mr. Versatility can't feel my sitting bones through all the leather, or doesn't dig my weight spread out over a larger surface area, you have another thing coming.

A good time is had by all.

[Coreene]

Sabovee, you bitch! And you know I mean that in a laughing-yet-jealous way. :D Learning reining and cutting are both high on my list of things to learn - you go girl, looking great!

[Hoofprince in Mud]

The real thing:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/8310790.stm

[HenryisBlaisin']

I think the occasional Western ride helps me sit deeper and use my seat better in dressage and HUS. I really don't know anything about Western riding, other than what feels right and makes my horse go well.

Imagine my surprise at a local show last weekend when my horse WON the novice Western championship! We only entered the classes for something to do in the afternoon and neither of us is particularly good at it.

[Sabovee]

Sabovee, you bitch! And you know I mean that in a laughing-yet-jealous way. :D Learning reining and cutting are both high on my list of things to learn - you go girl, looking great!

LOL - :) I'm so in love with my reining mare I may just covert over for good ;)

[Coreene]

Oliver had a blast in the pimp headgear today, pics tomorrow! And Sabovee, I can totally understand the reining thing. Next spring Sierra and Oliver are going to sort cows - giddyap!!!

[Coreene]

So the bling bridle and reins were a success. Giddyap! :cool:

[buck22]

Folks, if any of y'all ever get a chance to go to a Buck Brannaman clinic and watch him ride one of his two-rein or bridle horses, you will finally and forever be convinced that the imaginary boundaries between good dressage and good western horsemanship are a figment of narrow imaginations and nothing more. Good riding is good riding, period.

That said, don't forget that there is a lot of bad riding out there, alas--but no one discipline has a corner on it.
is he back to clinics again??? I'd hoped to catch him a year or two ago but he was taking time off nursing an injury.... I'll have to check his site... Thank you!

[Rubyfree]

Awwww. I love seeing well trained horses dabbling in disciplines outside their 'own'.
Several years ago, owner of the mare I now lease decided to try something new- they took up reining. Highly trained dressage princess Maresy took to it like a duck to water. She hasn't done any lately as it isn't my thing (my thing at the moment consisting mostly of staying upright and not sucking too badly), but she gets all wiggy when doing flying changes- she wants to do them reining style, fast and furious, dangit! I have to admit I'll let her, after we get a few more traditional dressage ones in- she's just as balanced and lovely at speed, and boy oh boy does she think it's FUN! WHEEEEEEEE!

[Lambie Boat]

my youngsters were started in a western saddle/english bridle and I just rode today in a western saddle. I love dressage and all that, but found the western saddle very comfy and secure too. Needs an airbag and seatbelts though.:winkgrin:

[monstrpony]

is he back to clinics again??? I'd hoped to catch him a year or two ago but he was taking time off nursing an injury.... I'll have to check his site... Thank you!

He (Brannaman) took '07 off to stay home w/ his family, but has been back at it last year and this. He is planning to cut back to about 20 clinics per year.

If you go to watch, plan on staying for a while (auditing fee is $25 per day or any part of a day). The clinics are done in large groups, a brief snapshot can leave one thinking "what?? is anything happening here?" Watching the progression of a clinic and the phenomenal change in the horses over four days is magical, but it is more mental and physical suppling than technical details. However, if you just want the best chance of seeing him work his more finished horses, find out which is the more advanced group (usually the afternoon) and get there just before the group starts, while everyone is warming up. He will come in and warm up his horse and usually finds something that needs a little focus. Then, during the course of the session, he will have to demonstrate one thing or another and you'll get another chance to see them. But he is not there to show off, and you can't be guaranteed of what you will see in any one session.

[AZ Native]

True about Buck. I audit ( have ridden as well ) him twice a year. It usually is not even 15 minutes into the clinic that I'm saying '' That alone was worth the
$ 25 ''.
I haven't seen anyone better at reavealing the psychology of the horse. He has gotten much better at teaching over the years and his horses that he brings get better and better. Really great to watch him.I too would urge any serious horseman of any discipline to go see him. Some of the info provided can help you keep from getting killed, for just one example : If a horse is touchy or worried about motion (from a rope , flag, or anything really ) under his chin ( directly under and down to the ground ), that horse is much more likely to buck you off than one who is not botherd by that. One of MANY pieces of info that made me thankful to be there !