Photo by Coco
Thirty-one years ago, at my first seminar, I noticed that a lot of folks were under the impression that western riding meant “riding with a loose rein,” and English riding meant “riding with contact.” What I soon came to realize is that, when done correctly and naturally, the only real difference between western and English is the application of skills. Think of it like a violin and a fiddle: it’s the same instrument, just played differently.
I prefer to divide riding into two sections; not “western” and “English,” but FreeStyle and Finesse. FreeStyle is riding with a loose rein, and Finesse is riding with contact. It’s important that we become skilled in both of these areas, regardless of what discipline we’re interested in.
The purpose of FreeStyle, at its core, is encouraging your horse to offer you more with you doing less. It frees you from feeling like you need to micromanage your horse. It’s your horse’s responsibility to maintain his gait, maintain direction, and look where he’s going. While he’s doing this, you shouldn’t have to do anything other than correct him if necessary.
Think of it as “the basics of riding.” It starts before you use bits, before you use bridles. Heck, you’re preparing for FreeStyle before you even saddle your horse up! When it’s just you, your horse, a halter and a lead rope, there’s nothing standing in the way of true communication. When you’re starting out, an arena is typically the best environment, as it allows for plenty of room for maneuvers without the fear of your horse running off.
The Art of Freestyling
By Pat Parelli
ACTHA Monthly | 36