>>>> But the tack doesn't make the discipline... if you know what I mean.
Oh yeah, that's for sure. I've been an eclectic rider since we got horses. For a while I took "English" lessons (low level dressage) in a dressage saddle on a big palomino QH with a western slip-ear bridle. Our first three saddles were a western, a Barnsby Lane Fox, and a hunter (all purpose) saddle. I know of a couple of western trainers who insist that kids learn to ride in English saddles, so they don't get used to the horns. I've heard my friend tell youngest students that she isn't teaching them to ride either English or Western, that she's teaching them to ride. Period. And, the lines have blurred even further in recent years since all the NH-types appeared, influencing so many "western" riders to ride in either halters or snaffles. The young woman who rode her first Icelandic here Friday asked me if we normally rein them "western" or English, meaning direct rein or neck-reining. She was on Skjoni so I had to think a minute about how to answer that. I said, well, I don't t think he's ever literally been taught to neck rein, but Cary usually rides him on a loose rein, one hand holding both reins loosely, with one hand on this thigh. In other words, I don't think it really matters much for Skjoni. Karen Thomas [EMAIL PROTECTED] No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.484 / Virus Database: 269.13.2/983 - Release Date: 9/1/2007 4:20 PM
