Hey!
So l am going on a trail ride over the weekend and I am and English rider but l will be riding Western this time.

What is it like to post western rather than english?
How can l make it easier?
AND
When l canter western what does it feel like?

Thanks for the help!
:D

It is the same. Stirrups likely will be longer than you're used to. Combined with the saddle, this will make you feel more stable and secure. You probably should not have to post, that is usually only done for really long distances or on young horses. But if you do post, if you have a habit of coming down too hard on your horse is back (not uncommon), you will learn pretty quick to not do that anymore.

There is not much difference in how the horse feels underneath u between english & western - at least that is what l find. For posting - u r not supposed to post in a western saddle, u sit the trot & absorb the motion. It is not that different from doing a sitting trot in english - in fact l usually find it easier with the western saddle. For the canter, l find there is no difference really between english & western.

The biggest thing l find between the two saddles is that u cannot feel the horse as much with a western saddle - probably because theres heavier material between u & ur horse. l ride english too, but when l am on the trails l always ride western because l find it a lot more comfy.

l am an English rider too but l only have a Western saddle that fits my older horse (the hunt one does not fit her). When she jogs (trots slowly) l just sit but if she is trotting fast l will post. Western is pretty much the same but you are actually more confined by the saddle. l think it is easier for an English rider to go Western than a Western ride to go English.

Same as when you cantor english, only watch out for the saddle horn.

A western lope SHOULD be slower & more collected than an english canter. However, out on the trail, l bet u will have a canter. You just sit to it exactly as if u were in an english saddle, or stand in the stirrups, but do not go forward into a two point, the horn would get in the way anyhow.

Officially, u r not supposed to post western. If the horse is not jogging (slower version of trot) slowly or comfortably enough for u to sit to, u stand. That said, l usually post to the trot. l work my western horse at an extended trot for conditioning & warm up, & it is easier to push him with my posting motion. l ride both english & western, but l do not use this horse english, so l do not worry about confusing him. Easier?? l do not know, ya just do it.

This is a trail ride, ride comfortably for you. The stirrups will be longer, sort of like dressage length, & u will be riding with one hand, assuming that the horse is trained to neck rein, if he is a ''western'' horse, he should neck rein. All u have to do is move that hand with the reins in it toward the direction u want to go (more or less motion, depending on the skill level of the horse), & the horse will turn that way. You pull back to slow/stop. You do not keep contact with the horse is mouth, leave 3-4 inches of slack in the reins, pick up slack if needed.

l switch back & forth so much, & use principles of each to train/school, l do not really notice much difference. Your back & seat is probably more relaxed riding western, but dont' slouch.

Western will make you feel more safe. The seat will hold you in better when your on hills. Plus it has an ''Oh Sh*! handle'' (the saddle horn).

You do not have to post in a western saddle. Just put a tiny bit of pressure in the stirrups when you trot/canter, then it will lesson the bounce. Your stirrups will be longer in a western saddle so it will feel very different, and you wo not want to post

Have fun. Trail riding is my favorite!

You really should not post in a Western saddle. You're supposed to sit all gaits in Western. Plus, the stirrups will be much longer than English, which makes it hard to post even if you wanted to.

Just sit naturally and relax, move with the horse- Western is all about having fun, not trying to do everything perfectly. Oh, and make sure you only use one hand on the reins, it confuses most trail horses if you try to steer English or with your legs.

You wo not feel as close in contact with the horse, & that will interfere with ur ability to ''read'' him. l would shorten the stirrups closer to the length u r used to riding with, or u may find yourself losing contact with ur stirrups. You can easily post in a western saddle, so if ur stirrups r short enough , it wo not be a problem.
The canter will be fine, again, if ur stirrups r adjusted for what u r used to. You may not look like a western rider with ur stirrups so short, but u will look better than u would with the stirrups flapping as u grope for balance. Just ride the way u r used to riding, & the saddle wo not make all that much difference.

it all feels exactly the same, except for the feel of the saddle. you can post the trot if you want, and hold the reins the same way, but looser.