Rodeo Horses vs. English Riding Horses

If you are thinking about getting into horseback riding of any nature, it pays to do your homework. There are two main riding disciplines: Western and English. Many private boarding schools and community arenas offer classes in either discipline, but it is important to know that each discipline requires different skills, tack and clothing, as well as different events that are competed in. The horse breeds that are preferred in each discipline are different as well. 

While there is no strict rule saying that only certain breeds can be ridden in English or Western riding, there are certain breeds that just tend to do better in certain events. Once you have decided what kind of riding you want to do and which events you are most interested in, you can look at a horse’s temperament, confirmation and skills to help determine if they would be a good fit for you. 

Many private boarding schools offer a variety of English riding events and clubs. Dressage is one of the most common English riding events, and for that particular event you will want a horse that is a good mover. These breeds are typically Hanoverians, Haflingers and Andalusians. For jumping events, you will want a horse that is light, quick, and sure-footed. These often include Thoroughbreds, American and Dutch Warmbloods and even some quarter horses.

If you are training or competing in one of the many Western riding programs offered at private boarding schools and community arenas, you may be looking for a different breed of horse to meet your needs. For barrel racing, the most important quality in a horse is agility. A muscular, quick horse is a must. Quarter horses are usually favored for this event, but some riders also use Paints or Arabians. Because of their agility and musculature, Quarter horses are also preferred for cutting and reigning. 

Whether you are just barely learning how to ride at your community arena or a practiced rider at one of the various private boarding schools in the country, your most important asset is your horse. By doing your research and choosing a horse with good confirmation, agility and temperament you will be ahead of the game. As stated before, there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to which breeds can do which events, so getting to know a horse and what they are good at is the very best way to know if they will perform well in a certain event. 

Ryan Muir is an academic writer for Fusion 360, an SEO and content marketing agency. Information provided by Wasatch Academy. Follow on Twitter.