Which style of riding is more expensive to pursue when considering the costs of boarding, training, tack, clothing and other expenses; English or Western?
It depens on how far you want to go- local, states, nationals. If you only show locally, with bare minumum, ENglish will be more expensive. It's about the quality of stuff you buy, and the quantity. You can choose to go low-level or all-out in each. I've ridden in both, and have many showing English friends, so I can't say I have the most experience in the subject- but I've gone shopping with them, and those who ride English have to buy more in terms of clothing. Jods, blouse, jacket, ratcatcher (if it's seperate)- that usually adds up to a couple hundred. However, in local western it's easy to get away with a button-up from WalMart and a pair of nice jeans or dress slacks. I got a vest and show slinky from a big bargain sale for $14. There was a bunch of engligh attire as well. IIf you know where to klook, the price can be great.
For semi- and pro- levels, though, it's eventually gonna even out. You've gotta have your chromed-up show saddle, bridle, and sometimes breastcollar. However, for English, you can't get away with an all-purpose. You gotta have a jumping saddle, a dressage saddle, a hunt saddle, etc, and all that really adds up if you buy high-quality.
Ok, there's my opinion. And here's another.
I think everyone should do their research before they post, apologize if they offend someone, and stop turning a fun poll into a huge argument.
Sheesh.
comment by Savellla
79 days ago
Both.
They both have the potential to be expencive or cheap, depends where you live, what level, ect.
So this question can't be honestly answered.
comment by Fiore
158 days ago
also im not trying to say u western ppl don't show but some english barns have the big time jumping stuff the dressage so it costs alot like where i ride down the street theres a lady who owns a dressage stable and its really expensive
comment by Greenwood Western Horses
158 days ago
ok i ride english and my saddle was 2000 and its not even a show saddle. i saw one for almost 2500 at the tack shop i went 2 a few weeks ago. but i also saw a western show saddle with all the silver and stuff and it was 2995 so there both pretty expensive
comment by Greenwood Western Horses
158 days ago
i ride english and its reli expencive for me t cator for and i dont even own the horse i ride!!
but i kno its more expencive than western because we have to have loads of types of saddles for which ever we want to do
comment by Mistic Vampire Hunting
158 days ago
I am a western peron personally! I am a cowgirl pretty much lol
But English is more expensive, more equiptment and just in general.... more fancy but it depends if your going to be showing, or pleaseure riding it really depends
comment by Wyoming Purple Moose
158 days ago
i would say for lower level riders, english is more expensive because even at the lowest levels, you need all the cloths and horse stuff. when it comes to higher levels, they are equal. i ride both of them and i dont think that the expencivness makes a difference on the work and preperation and the FUN!
comment by Golden Acres
159 days ago
I only voted English because it seems more fancy and more people ride English..
Western is also expensive counting all of the beautiful shirts that are all sparkly..and they are practically the same. And it's a different price at different places so who knows?
comment by RAMB Moonlight
159 days ago
english since tall boots range from $100 -- 800.
saddles $100-- 5,000
hunt coats $50-- 500
breeches $10-- 500
and etc. lol english wayyyyy more
comment by Creativity Equestrian
online
159 days ago
Well i ride both. And id have to say that there both expensive. But when i buy all my stuff id say that english is alot more expensiver for me. And it also depends on what you buy where you buy it. and What level of showing your into. =).
comment by Sydney Loves Skeeter
159 days ago
I would have to say the price is equal but it all depends on wat brand u buy.. i prefer eng i've neva tried western.. so i cant really say much..but u can do western in english so yeh, its more thrilling, but it also depends on wat ur training lvl is both rider and horse..more experianced more expensive..its how it wrks..
I love jumping and bare bak..but it really doesnt matter.. it all depends on the riders likes.. nobody can judge that
comment by Marglyn Stud
159 days ago
No offense to anyone, but I hate English. I can ride it and everything so don't say that I have never tried it before! Western is my forte and I love it. Bareback is also fun. Last week, I bought a bareback pad for $100. Personally, I think they are equal. Western might be more "laid back" and English might be more "showy", but they are almost the same price in anything. In my opinion, it is English that costs more, but by a close amount.
~Univ
comment by Universal Stables
159 days ago
Pond View..that was rude. And for one thing, on a western horse you dont just sit there. You have to be able to get a slow gait while you have long reins and a tucked in headset. Its not easy.
comment by Altitude Sporthorses
160 days ago
Western is fun I've riden in a Western Saddle, it does have it's advanteges! But English is better from my point! English you can do barrel racing I did it at my stable's fun show for halloween it was fun I can in second place! Western is cool to you western people doing reining, roping and other cool stuff!!
Ally
comment by Wolf Speak International
160 days ago
Pondview - Have you even RIDDEN western? Western is not "boring", and neither is english. I dont really ride either discipline, i ride my own style. If you plan to show Western OR English, then you need at least half-way decent gear, you can get by with well cared for 2nd hand gear, but if you plan to show in the professional circuit you really need to get the more expensive stuff. :: Wether you ride Western or English, it is only as expensive as you make. They pretty much level each other out anyway :)
comment by Dragonfly Pony Stud
160 days ago
Pond View- That was exceptionally rude, She is allowed to say she has a Saddle and Pad if she wants, and no not everyone that owns a saddle owns a pad, I don't I borrow one. Western is not boring it is a very challenging sport just like English and you should respect it.
comment by Mystique
160 days ago
Pondview- Western is soo much fun obviously you've never ridden a reining horse, or a barrel horse.
comment by Coriander International
160 days ago
Western is NOT boring, Pond View! I think that english is overrated.
comment by Sword of Truth Stables
160 days ago
It depends on what level you plan on doing. If you show local shows you can get by with discount tack for both. Top level saddles can run 2 to 5K for western and english, with bridles being 150 to 450. I find Dressage tack to be very pricey most of the time.
comment by Bellaterra Farm
160 days ago
Depends what style you are doing in the discipline and if you are competing at a REAL level.
comment by Capall Manor
160 days ago
Sorry Randelle Alley Stables, but if you have a saddle it is obviouse you have a pad. but getting to the point. English is much more expensive. and though western has silver and stuff like that my bridle alone cost me $750 and my saddle on the other hand you dont want to know. so English not boring old western.
comment by Biog Circus Acres
160 days ago
i agree with twilight thoroughbreds.
comment by Broken Acres
160 days ago
I love English!! I ride and have a Englih saddle and pad!!
English Rocks! Western is nice i can cope with it. I don't want to be mean to you western people! you guys do cool stuff too.
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