Although there are many different disciplines, the main arguement is between western and english riding. Two very diffrent riding styles but both great in there own way; although I prefer western over english I enjoy both.
Western Riding; Many things make the two styles different, first is the saddle a western saddle is fit for the "cowboy" way a saddle horn for roping and a bigger easier seat to hold your self in when your working with cattle or holding on in a barrel race. Saddles have a front and back cinch and a breast collar. Another difference in western is often the type of horse that is used; western horses are often more cowy, ment to travel long distances in a steady pace with small bursts of energy to chase down cows that are straying away from the herd, usually these horses are more stocky. Another differents is gaits of the horse, walk trot lope is all needed for western style riding. Attire is also different, western you are required to wear a long sleeve collared cowboy shirt, riding jeans, boots with jeans over them, a black cowboy hat or white, and sometimes a belt buckle. When your in the show ring the way you have to ride is different, western is more relaxed not straightened out, loose reins with ends on one side held by the opposite hand and more motion to your riding and will ride at a neck rein.
Western is just as hard as english and requires alot of work to learn
My mother used to have horses and she tryed both styles and liked western over english too. When we went riding she told me english was lot harder to learn. Some day I would like to try it though.
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