| Equestrian is an art that will never die. It has been | | | | is a separate section all on the horse's stance, |
| around, in a way, since medieval times. It has evolved | | | | appearance, and obedience. If the horse gets very low |
| into a refined sporting activity. Being able to ride horses | | | | marks here, it often cannot be made up for even with |
| opens up a few different paths. There is Rodeo style | | | | a perfect ride. |
| riding, which requires barrel racing saddles. There is | | | | There are a couple reasons that different saddles are |
| also jumping and horse shows, for which you would | | | | needed for the two types of riding. First of all, they are |
| need show saddles. Different saddles are needed | | | | very different environments. Rodeo is rough, and dirty |
| because of the different types of movements | | | | where as show arenas are clean and well-kept. The |
| required for each style riding. | | | | quality of material the two are made of differs |
| Rodeo riding is the more rigorous of the two types. | | | | because of this. Also because of the abuse that |
| This generally includes barrel races. In barrel races, the | | | | rodeo saddles get compared to show saddles. Rodeo |
| rider and horse have to maneuver through a slalomed | | | | saddles get ridden harder and need to be stronger |
| course of barrels. This is done inside a Rodeo pen. | | | | than saddles for shows. In barrel racing, the rider does |
| Also, there are competitions for bull and cattle herding. | | | | a lot of digging into the sides so the stirrups on these |
| This is not as popular as barrel races and is much | | | | saddles are also different. Therefore, make sure to |
| more dangerous. The rider has to control the bull or | | | | know the difference before investing in a saddle. |
| herd of cattle and either rope them in, or steer them | | | | From fighting in battles to the pony express to pulling |
| into a pen. If rodeo riding isn't your style but you love | | | | carts across the country, people have been using |
| riding, I would suggest show riding. | | | | horses for years. In the past hundred years, riding |
| Show riding is lower impact and much more refined | | | | horses has become a competitive sport. There are |
| than barrel racing. It is a genre that can include very | | | | different medias for jumping, racing and managing |
| high class individuals and everyone else. The types of | | | | horses. The most popular types of riding are Rodeo |
| shows include courses of jumps and obstacles. The | | | | and general Show riding. Rodeo often included barrel |
| major difference between this and barrel racing is the | | | | slaloms and herding where as show riding involves |
| location. They usually are held in nice, green, show | | | | jumps, obstacles and presentation. The two require |
| arenas. It is a big contrast to the dirty, rustic rodeo | | | | different equipment, especially saddles, because of the |
| pens. Also, the horse's appearance is usually a big part | | | | different terrains and activity level. Riding horses is a |
| of the competition. The riders have to make sure their | | | | timeless treasure that will only grow from here. |
| horse is well groomed and trained before hand. There | | | | |