|
 Western
riding evolved from the cattle-working and warfare traditions brought to the
Americas by the Spanish Conquistadors, and both equipment and riding style
evolved to meet the working needs of the cowboy on ranches in the American West.
Though the differences between English and Western riding
appear dramatic, there are more similarities than most people think. Both styles
require riders to have a solid seat, with the hips and shoulders balanced over
the feet, with hands independent of the seat so as to avoid disturbing the
balance of the horse and interfering with its performance.
The most noticeable feature of
western style riding is in the saddle, which has a substantial tree that
provides greater support to horse and rider when working long hours in the
saddle. The western saddle features a prominent pommel topped by a horn (a knob
used for dallying a lariat after roping an animal), a deep seat and a high
cantle. The stirrups are wider and the saddle has rings and ties that allow
objects to be attached to the saddle.
Western horses are asked to perform with a loose rein,
controlled by one hand. The standard western bridle lacks a noseband and usually
consists of a single set of reins attached to a curb bit that has somewhat
longer and looser shanks than the curb of an English Weymouth bridle or a pelham
bit. Two styles of Western reins developed: The long split reins of the Texas
tradition, which are completely separated, or the closed-end "Romal" reins of
the California tradition, which have a long single attachment on the ends that
can be used as a quirt. Modern rodeo competitors in timed events sometimes use a
closed rein without a romal.
The cowhand's mount when pursuing cattle often follows an
abruptly swerving, zigzag course. The horse's center of balance therefore lies
slightly toward the back of its body, since it must remain poised to turn and
stop quickly. The cowhand sits relatively far back on the mount with legs
extended, as in Western pleasure riding. This seat keeps the cowhand in balance
with the horse during rapid changes of direction and enables the rider to brace
against sudden stops. The horse works the cow by
keeping it from the herd. It is called cutting when a rider picks a cow from the
herd and steers it away from the herd, then cutting off all means of escape by
letting the horse follow its movements and prevent it from returning to the
herd.
Western riders wear a long-sleeved shirt, denim jeans, boots,
and a wide-brimmed cowboy hat. Cowboy boots, which have pointed toes and higher
heels than a traditional riding boot, are designed to prevent the rider's foot
from slipping through the stirrup during a fall, preventing the rider from being
dragged--most western saddles have no safety bars for the leathers or automatic
stirrup release mechanism. A rider may wear protective leather leggings called
chaps. Clean, well-fitting work clothing is the usual outfit seen in rodeo,
cutting and reining competitions, especially for men, though sometimes both men
and women wear brighter colors or finer fabrics for competition than for work.
Show events such as Western pleasure use much flashier
equipment, unlike the English traditions where clothing and tack is quiet and
unobtrusive. Saddles, bits and bridles are ornamented with substantial amounts
of silver. The rider may add a jacket or vest, and women's clothing in
particular features vivid colors and even, depending on current fads,
rhinestones or sequins.
Western horses are asked to have a brisk, ground-covering
walk, but a slow, relaxed jog trot that allows the rider to sit the saddle and
not post. The Western version of the canter is called a lope and while collected
and balanced, is expected to be slow and relaxed. Working western horses seldom
use a sustained hand gallop, but must be able to accelerate quickly to high
speed when chasing cattle or competing in rodeo speed events, must be able to
stop quickly from a dead run and "turn on a dime."
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