Monty Roberts Equus Online University | Monty's Horse Training Post: Jumping in western saddles?

Learn all about Equus • Dually Halter • Shy Boy Mustang • Jumping Horses
• Story of a Horse Whisperer • Riding Horsemanship • Dressage Horses • Willing Partners
• Horse Training • Round Pen Lessons • Performance Horses • Join-Up

Watch Monty's horse training videos to learn how he demonstrates communication through horse training techniques that the amateur and professional alike consider to be the trainable skills of a horse whisperer yet Monty calls it horse gentling.
Monty's horse training techniques are non violent with intelligent natural horsemanship. In addition to video instructions, Monty has written many books related to natural horsemanship. Monty trains safe horses for nervous riders called Willing Partners. Monty trains world class race horses for sale.
“I am very proud to be a part of Her Majesty’s horse training and her passion for their welfare. I believe she is the leading monarch for the advocacy of horses in the world. She is a thought leader in this field. Her Majesty's horses are trained using the Dually Halter, making a difference in the training of sensitive animals by giving the horse the choice to partner in the training.” ~ Monty
“I communicate with a horse in what I call the Language of Equus; a silent language of gestures that is discernible, predictable and effective. Now you can learn from my videos, audio and notes to help you understand the horse as I do. This language is really quite simple, but simplicity becomes its greatest strength.” ~ Monty
Monty Roberts is a renowned horse trainer known as the man who listens to horses and the original horse whisperer. Monty's horse training instructions are accepted worldwide.
Monty has helped thousands of people globally through his Monty Roberts Online Videos to learn how to Join-Up with horses, training young horses, spooky horses, horses that bite. His mustang , Shy Boy , is his most famous horse.
Join-Up methods help horse and trainer to establish a bond of communication and trust. “You must somehow understand that we as horsemen can do very little to teach the horse. What we can do is to create an environment in which he can learn.” ~ Monty
Monty says, “We hear that ‘actions speak louder than words,’ but generally we do not live by it too successfully.” Now Monty has taught thousands of people worldwide how to build trust in animals through our actions and body language.
Monty’s principles really amount to common sense and immense patience. He believes that children and horses have the same behavioral patterns. They are both naturally “flight” animals. "If you frighten them and resort to confrontation, you’ll lose their trust." ~ Monty
"Simple one-on-one reassurances and praise reap long term dividends that can all be undone with the quick slamming of a book on a desk or shouting back." ~ Monty Roberts
"No one of us was born with the right to say 'You must or I'll hurt you' to any other living thing, animal or human". ~ Monty Roberts
"My life's goal is to leave the world a better place than I found it, for horses and for people too". ~ Monty Roberts

← back

About This Week’s Lesson

Jumping in western saddles?

By:

Roisin!

Date:

2010-Apr-08 at 11:52AM

I was watching the video about stopping and he mentioned showjumping was close to western(in stops) and then I started to wonder how you jump in a western saddle.Would the horn not get in the way?Do western people jump?Do they use a different saddle?Please answer my questions!Thanks for reading!

poncho133 2010-Apr-09 at 02:41PM

I have jumped my Arabian mare many times in a Western saddle. We keep the jumps low (under 2' as she is 14 hands 2') and the saddle is cut-back so it doesn't dig into her back (Arabians are short-backed, and have one vertebra less than some other breeds). She likes to jump and is very scopy. I just go along for the ride!
On the trail, there are times when it is necessary to jump over something, or at least if not necessary, easier. She does it well. I try to stay off her back, just like in riding English, in a 2-point seat. I lean forward and give her rein enough to perform effectively without being popped in the mouth.
Star is now 24 years old, and just as frisky as she was at 4. Her competence and confidence is awesome, and may in part be due to the knowledge that there's not much she CAN'T do.
Good luck! Poncho

Roisin! 2010-Apr-11 at 03:27PM

How do you lean forward if there is a horn in the way?

Sasafras 2010-Apr-14 at 10:11PM

Jump differently in western.. like a cowboy does! Buck jump!Yeehaw...otherwise it is mucho OUCH ..

mssmith599 2010-Apr-16 at 06:41PM

I have several friends who were really injured jumping in a western saddle. The western rider usually does not have to jump except over debris on the trail. The saddle is larger and the horn is in the way for a traditional jumping forward seat. As with English riding balance is critical. Not to far in front and not to far behind. Things are very much the same for both schools of riding, balance, control and light hands, help keep you safe.

Roisin! 2010-May-19 at 06:54PM

Thank you!!!!!!