DRESSAGE RIDER TRIES WESTERN FOR THE FIRST TIME

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[@nataliehunter8408]

"you've just got to relax and trust them. they will listen." I love this.

[@vancouvervixen4253]

“He doesn’t need you” had me rolling 😂😂 it’s so true on a horse like that!! Gotta let go and trust

[@cherylsague]

I’ve ridden both western and English and riding a well trained western horse is so relaxing. The horse’s response to be smallest of cues, without using bit pressure, is almost magical.

[@CosmicScouts]

It IS magical

[@zamzar2]

true 🐴

[@BellaCW]

Western bits are super harsh though! That's why they can respond to those small cues.

[@wjm1319]

@@BellaCW The bit depends on the rider & the horse. I've had western bits that were super mild and english ones that were much harsher. My barrel racer was on a hackamore variant that was the mildest of the mild and he responded to feather-light cues.

[@BellaCW]

@@wjm1319 You calling a hackamore mild is saying a lot... But yes, It depends on the rider. If the rider has soft hands but rides with a sharp bit, then it's actually still better than a rider with heavy hands and a mild bit.

[@fontainerouge]

First time I understand how a horse is ridden Western style. And a beautiful horse at that.

[@TEKRific]

Same, really nice exposé on how western style riding should be done!

[@MegF142857]

That's a very well trained horse who is called "push button" trained. Very patient horse trying hard to do what asked, but confused. Good instructor. Matt did well too. Loved him posting what Western riders would sit at a trot. Stirrups are way too short for riding Western.

[@todiann27]

I ride western, so much fun!

[@mariacafetherapy]

No! Do not judge a western horse off this!

[@myronschabe]

@@TEKRific Yeah, this is a Dutch person doing western please keep in mind...this is a nice horse but, to be honest would not be considered a greatly conformed western quarter horse. Reining horses in the USA are amongst the most beautiful, imo...but, hey, it is all subjective...all horses are beautiful! Nicely trained horse and a fun video!

[@shespeex8413]

That trainer is phenomenal, and that horse was so well trained, obviously loved. Well done Matt, and thanks for trying something new. It helps new riders not feel so weird trying something new, too.

[@lindaallen78]

I can't believe that Whiskey is 23 yrs old! What a mover. You did really well Matt. And what a lovely lady and fantastic trainer, you were learning well, under her guidance. 😊

[@frejaschramm7556]

''see he doesn't need you' is the best thing i've heard all day

[@barbrice721]

That horse is 23. And still worth his weight in gold. Could probably still win it.

[@asaliden4584]

This is why I love western riding! To trust your horse, not fussing and trying to correct small things and instead learn to cooperate and learning the horse to take responsibility of it’s body. I think no horse is more well taught than a western horse. I had a quarter/purebred mix. She was good at dressage but loved western, learning that at 13 years old when I bought her. She had a lot of issues and wasn’t the nicest horse you met but with approaching her horsemanship style and respect she turned out to be the most loyal, brave, sensitive and hardworking mare you can find.

[@cattymajiv]

Many, if not most western horses are very badly trained and ridden. You've been very lucky to see and ride the good ones! One indication of the poor horsemanship in so much western riding is the near constant presence of spurs and Tom Thumb bits, or other leaverage bits, like we see here. Those are very severe peices of equipment that are completely unnecessary on a well trained and well ridden horse. That's a surefire way to wreck a good horse!

[@haileyharmel9694]

I ride english (hunter jumpers mostly) and when I'm looking for horses I always try to find one that was trained western (preferably by an old cowboy iykyk) and ive had great success with those horses.

[@charbri_8855]

​@@cattymajiv You act as if there isn't major abuse happening in English equestrian communities. Both have major problems.

[@Saddles_N_Sauvignon]

My husband and I train reiners here in Texas and I’ve been following you for years. I always HOPED you’d try one! It’s truly one of the best feelings to ride a finished Reiner. Much like riding a top level dressage horse. Lots of people see how effortless it looks and don’t realize how high level both horse and rider are. If you’re ever in Texas please come by our ranch to stay and ride our Reiners out on our 13,000 acres! Lots of gorgeous trails out here in the Hill Country! Cheers! JL Bar Ranch & Resort.

[@s.v.6618]

Now I have to google your ranch! Always wanted to visit Texas. 🤩

[@shelleys3884]

I just checked out your ranch for riding too! Any chance of getting more info on riding?

[@janebaldinger3137]

HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@nicolaxoxo1]

Is there reining training available to the public or just the standard trail rides?

[@Saddles_N_Sauvignon]

@@shelleys3884 Sure!! What would you like to know?! We currently offer trail rides on our retired Reiners. The Texas Hill Country is very rocky, brushy and lots of wildlife! We see all kinds of animals both natives and exotics while riding and even come across rattlesnakes, although we just leave them be! We are about to start construction on a new arena and will be offering “Ride a Reiner”, which is basically a one hour private lesson with us to do exactly what Matt did. We want people to get to experience the fun of riding a finished Reiner no matter their ability, age or skill level. Much like the lady in this video, we love teaching the world about our sport and the amazing horses that make it so great! We have a small breeding program as well and often have babies for guests to meet! Cheers!

[@lisasleck6223]

I love that western uses very subtle cues for everything and that you do most of the cues relatively subtly with your body!

[@myronschabe]

Yeah, imo, a well trained western horse is much more fun, imo, than English/dressage with so much contact...of course, it takes contact to train a western horse and get them to that level.

[@barryandjackypowell8239]

No wonder one channel I've watched often rides her horses wuthout any bit.

[@vancouvervixen4253]

Absolutely! When roping etc you often need your hands free so you have to communicate through your lower body! Soft hands, soft mouth, very subtle

[@bernadettecartin]

​@@barryandjackypowell8239Free Spirit? I love her channel. She's awesome!

[@amymoorehead7185]

Indirect contact (curb bit) is always nicer than direct contact (snaffle bit). I know she has him in a snaffle bit because the rider is inexperienced (on a western discipline horse) but he would do better with a curbed bit. If you sit on a horse and think about what you want, they pretty much read your butt. She keeps saying 'look where you're goin' and that's the best advice other than get off of his face (loosen your reins).

[@ML-yn1zz]

Oh my goodness! What a surprise, you did great. What a fenomenal trainer! I’m missing my horse so much. Thanks for the great video. Not to mention, Whiskey is an incredibly well trained horse.❤

[@matt_harnacke]

Rickey is amazing, what an introduction to this part of the riding world

[@MegF142857]

@@matt_harnacke And ask her about the shoes. Reining horses to slide often have special rear shoes ( at least for competitions ). Plus protection for the legs. Lots of differences. -- The outside leg aid is more in front, I think. You are putting your leg back towards flank as a cue, which I was taught in western is signal to disengage the hindquarters. When what you want is outside leg to push horse over the shoulder. But... depends on how her horse was taught what is the signal.

[@jennycaines7430]

She was overly complicated showing you how to ride. You don't have to post, there was too much English mixed in, reining is controlling with the REINS mostly, your sturups were too short. If you want REAL western riding experience, go to the West. Western riding is relaxing. This wasn't. Showing in Western Pleasure is not as stiff and complex as she was trying to explain to you. Western riding is fun, this definitely didn't look fun at all for you.

[@movo721]

⁠@@jennycaines7430Debby downer 🙄 oh and it’s ’stirrups’, not ‘sturups ‘ 😂

[@cattymajiv]

Lovely horse though! Matt was posting because that's what he felt comfortable with, and that's ok!

[@shelmstedt]

Big thumbs up to the trainer and her horse. She really explains it well. Weirdly I have a lot of Western riders asking me for help (I ride English mainly). Her commands and explanations are excellent. I need to remember them.

[@Daccraa]

Agree! I love this lady!

[@cynthiablackburn4226]

After many years of English, I tried Western and never went back. Sinking into the saddle and riding with your seat and shifts in balance was so much fun. Even though there was less connection with their mouth and your hands (or so it seemed at first) there was more connection between minds and bodies. It really is, as someone else wrote, "magical", especially when it gets to the "I think it, my horse does it" stage. Well done, Matt!

[@amerantha4165]

This makes me want to quit English riding, what you describe is exactly what it looks like! That type of cooperation must indeed feel magical. It is absolutely impressive how little aid this horse seems to need and he is ready to go, yet so calm and controlled.

[@Pro3110]

It's crazy how people react to different things. After many years of English, I did my best to go western, but I went back to English. I've got a little QH mare that I dearly love, and she's my "go-to" girl when it comes to hopping on and wandering on the property, or getting a quick trip back to the house, or even going to get the mail down the road. I ride her bareback and bridleless during such jaunts, and that's when I feel truly connected with her. I trained her myself, back when I was still doing my best to go Western, and I still have her Circle Y, but I'd rather just go bareback with her. It's the saddles, I think. There's just too much bulk in between me and my horse with western saddles and it keeps me from feeling that connection with my horse. I might would have succeeded at becoming a western rider if they could make a "monoflap" western saddle that's fully adjustable through the gullet and panels, and without the need of a inch thick saddle pad. On a different note, my Oldenburg stallion, at three years of age and 17 hands tall, and my darling QH mare, all of 14.2 1/2 hands tall, seem to have the same back. The monoflap jumping saddle that fits him perfectly also fits my mare beautifully, just with a different girth. 😁

[@pm2886]

​@@amerantha4165Do it. There's no comparison Dressage seems clunky, heavy, and forced by comparison. I've done both, and Western wins by a mile.

[@kelseyb2585]

​@@amerantha4165 i highly recommend trying western at least once. it may be awkward at first since youre probably used to maintaining contact w rhe mouth, which might confuse the horse, but after you get the hang of it, the word "magical" really fits the bill. when i was learning western, my instructor told me to just look between the horses ears in the direction where i wanted to go & relax. when i looked, my shoulders naturally shifted in that direction just the slighted bit & the horse started turning w my movement. thats how incredibly sensitive reigning horses are at reading their riders body language. i merely looked around & just like that, we were turning together as if our bodies were an extension of each other. as for the reigns, when you really get used western riding, youll barely even use the reigns. the communication w your horse is 99% body language & vocal cues. its a very freeing experience.

[@kimgower1347]

I'm so jealous, as a casual western rider I understood everything, kinda wanted to grab you off and show you how easy it is. To ride a horse that highly trained would be so fun and a dream for me. English and western are so different, you could really see that it was hard for you to overcome your " english training". That was great fun Matt. Thanks for trying that. Now you need to try a cutting horse. Jesse, I bet this horse would be a dream to ride with just a neck rope. All you have to do to stop is sit down and back, legs forward, no runaways.

[@MegF142857]

I second him trying a trained cutting horse. That was a nicely trained & patient horse.

[@lauriestephens98]

That's exactly what I think Kimgower 1347 Watching a cutting is awesome. I have helped with cattle but by no means had a cutting horse, just one that "watched" cattle. My little Indian horse (He originated from the Navajo tribe) found more cattle in the brush than I ever did.

[@chrisdouglass7962]

Except for the jealous part I absolutely agree with everything!! 🥰🥰❤️🤣😜

[@EXROBOWIDOW]

I think he would freak out on board a cutting horse! And would definitely need his stirrups longer. The neck rope, on the other hand, might convince Matt he doesn't need to use a bit. I'm not a good rider at all, but a friend taught her horse the neck rope, then let me try it. It was so nice to use! I much preferred it to reins. The problem with neck reining on most of the horses I've ridden is that you give them the cue, but they ignore it. So you move the reins farther to the side to increase pressure on the neck, but then the bit is pulling their head the opposite direction. With the neck rope, you only apply pressure to their neck, and they can put their head where it needs to be to turn. My friend just used an old halter rope tied in a big loop-- nothing fancy with knots or anything.

[@rebeccahicks2392]

Yeah, I enjoyed the video but it was slightly frustrating because Matt had all the skill he needs but was getting in his own way by being nervous. Not trying to be critical---good for him for trying something new.

[@sandirobinson6966]

Buddy, that's how light a good reining horse is. Zero contact is neutral. That's a real kind, forgiving (school) horse. Keep your reins even! You can sit that nice Quarter Horse jog. That's what it's there for.

[@vancouvervixen4253]

My thoughts exactly… I was like “RElax Matt for heavens sake” 😂

[@pm2886]

Yeah, the rising trot was so awkward, bless him.

[@kathelindell9720]

What a lovley trainer!! I would love to ride lessons for her. She's informative, supportive and positive! I think it's so great to see western riding more represented in the equestrian world and especially in Europe.

[@rstein3131]

Such a well trained horse and the instructor is great too. She gave good directions and gave praise too.

[@VenomousPegasus]

What a wonderfully trained horse, you can tell he’s eager to please and sensitive to all cues!

[@MyuNeptune]

Whiskey is such a good horse! Understands the rider is new and he is so patent! Plus how stunning...the coat the muscles the wise eyes. It's crazy how responsive are horses that work in more fast pace riding style. Also I'm very glad we don't see the discomfort of the horse. And the trainer! She is great.

[@nayrod4529]

Western riding help my seat 100%. It's good to ride different mediums to be a better rider and open mnded.

[@matt_harnacke]

I think there’s a lot we can take from western and apply it to dressage

[@smc7009]

A well trained westernhorse is a pleasure to ride! I think as dressage riders we can take away the doing less, it has to BE easy to make it look easy!

[@saspinks3001]

@@smc7009 Absolutely and you'll never see a western trained horse that needs more than one set of reins for the rider to get what he wants!

[@Pro3110]

@@saspinks3001 Yep, it only takes two reins, a 6 inch shank, a twisted curb, a brain chain, and a spanish noseband on top of a spade bit in the wrong hands to make sure those types of riders get what they want. Plus, there's the added bonus of not becoming confused by all those reins! Dude, there's the good, the bad, and the ugly in all disciplines of the horse world. It's not becoming to knock something you don't understand just to validate your own choice of disciplines. (Unless it's cruelty. It's always becoming to knock cruelty.) I've actually seen horses in the set-up I described above, and it's gut-wrenching, knowing how much they were hurting, and yes, they did everything their riders told them to, on the spot. They were put in agony if they resisted or failed. I'm pretty sure a double bridle set-up, used correctly, is far superior to the two reins, used horrifically, on those horses. Sadly, I can easily imagine their riders as being the type to brag about not having to use four reins to get what they want.

[@saspinks3001]

@@Pro3110 You forgot the tie-down to further restrict the horses head and the 100lb saddle the horse gets to carry in addition to the rider. I don't disagree with you about the brutal western tack. That said, there seems to be more western horses ridden in plain halters, or neck ropes and more & more nowadays, nothing at all.

[@bettypruitt7582]

Matt…you owe Whiskey a shot and a beer for putting up with a first time Western rider. He is an incredibly talented & well trained reining horse. It was kinda like giving a new driver the keys to the Ferrari. You did well & listened to the great trainer. Very informative. Here in Texas…there are so many high level competition reining & cutting horses. But drive out in the country….you’ll see that skillset in action working cattle. The history has lived on for centuries. Yep…you and Jesse must visit Texas.

[@PurpleHorse49]

I grew up learning english, then switched to western as an adult. It's so awesome seeing you have a western lesson and learning the differences. That is an amazing super responsive horse!

[@JudyCarter-kl7be]

Well done, Matt and trainer! Gorgeous horse and so well trained. Good boy! Precious seeing Matt 'posting' in a western saddle. Helps the horses back.

[@magwitchable]

I love seeing Western riders in Europe. Matt, you're lucky to ride such a nicely trained horse as Whiskey. I grew up riding Western and have since spent time riding everything except dressage (watching your videos makes me want to!). So many things are interchangeable in each discipline, but there are specifics to each. I love the comment about doing less and letting the horse do his job. I'm so used to that with working cow horses that I never thought about putting it into words! Great job. From one long-legged person to another, I'd say drop your stirrups and inch or two next time :)

[@chrisdouglass7962]

As a cowpony riding gal learning about eventing I heard Cameron Beer say it best, when applied to western, you and your horse are a wheelbarrow, go, push the wheelbarrow 🤣🤣😜❤️❤️

[@lisajensen1843]

Omg! I. I’m a quarter horse woman and loving this! This is an excellent horse.. trained so well❤️ I feel like I’m riding from my sofa!!😂😂👏👏

[@BernadetteResnik]

It takes a great horse to train a great rider! ❤ Fun and informative, loved this.

[@starson1]

Jesse would surely have appreciated riding this horse, he being so sensitive to how horses think. He too uses little pressure. This was a good lesson with Matt. He got to experience a horse who knows to trust and in turn Matt learned to trust him as well. There was no nervousness, no fidgiting, just a willingness to work as cool and calm as his type is meant to. The traditional quarter horse was bred to be a cowboys working partner. Herding , manuevering, roping for branding,...being that he'll pull the ropes taut to keep a calf down on ground so it doesn't get up and bolt. I havent had horses in 20 years but if I ever get another I think I'd like a quarter horse.

[@NoblePeril]

Its so amazing to see how the cowboy lifestyle has become a multicultural dream. Like that trainer said, everyone plays cowboys and cowgirls as kids.

[@lisasendy]

I’m a western rider and it’s really nice to see more people trying it and see what we do ❤

[@lauriestephens98]

I so enjoyed seeing you ride western Matt. A whole different ballgame. I've always said to those who auto ride in a Western saddle, try an English saddle. You feel your horse more, but what she showed you about the turn and go right into a lope is an crucial move IF you work cattle. Watch a good cutting horse. They are amazing. Thanks for the treat.

[@agfillion1]

Western riding is my favorite style. I truly feel a stronger working connection between horse and rider. I know the horse can think faster with more positive energy when cutting cattle. It’s a lot more technical riding a quarter horse this way than most people realize. You did great Matt.

[@lindaz1290]

Wow, great video, Matt! It was fun to see the change in your riding by the end! Also, I have the utmost respect for your openness with the sponsorship. You are a class act all the way around!

[@kathleenwalsh7817]

Well I had fun. I hope you enjoyed it Matt.🤣😁

[@dianemcq64]

Might be my favorite video ever! Love seeing such an advanced English rider sort out riding western. I was so lucky growing up where English and western riding was about a 50-50 split, so I rode primarily English but dabbled in western, and my first horse had been a barrel racer so that was a fun discovery. Well done, Matt! Now come visit a dude ranch in the U.S.!

[@horsecrazyky]

What GORGEOUS eyes this beautiful boy has! All horses have beautiful eyes but his big sparkly eyes are mesmerizing!!! Such a beautiful boy!

[@patbroekema6721]

What a GREAT video! Whiskey is beautifully trained and looks fantastic at 23! The woman was so good at explaining what she wanted you to do and she pushed you so you would challenge yourself. It was so much fun to watch.

[@bkm2797]

What a great class Matt, you did really well and the horse was so well trained it was amazing to watch. The trainer was an excellent instructor, watching all your movements and giving you really good feedback. Thanks for taking us along.🐴❤️👍

[@makaylajadeevansyazziemjey1998]

Im Navajo (Native American) I've watch your channel for YEARS - learning about English riding and it was so entertaining, watching you try western. You can tell you loosened up to the saddle gradually 😊❤ thank you for this it was nice seeing you try western. I could tell you were fascinated with the horsemanship. This is how I was raised to ride, I learned to ride bareback BECUASE I couldn’t wait for tack. All I had was my halter, and a mustang 😅❤🐴 Now thinking back I was a crazy kid and she must’ve really trusted me bc I did some crazy things on her back.

[@blackshards3415]

I've been riding 13 years in the english style. From 2005 to 2018. I had to give up equestrian because of health problems. But i've been riding western for three times on different horses and it was extremely relaxing and fun! The western horses are trained differently. They do much stuff on their own with little aids and they have to think during their training or other tasks.

[@b.s.653]

what a beautiful horse! Those muscles on him are crazy! great video too of course

[@seeweed2597]

Matt!!!! What a frickin frackin treat that was to watch!!!! I have always wanted you to feel that ride in that kinda style. What an amazing mount for you too! Big stud 🐴 anywho... totally enjoyed that, what a treat 🙏🏽💎🇯🇲 it is almost freestyle riding. Jesse would be amazing I bet! I'm sending out a little prayer that is his next video 🙏🏽🤞🏽🤞🏽

[@FlippinFruitFly]

That canter tho. Matt has such a great seat 🤌.

[@barbarlona9795]

Ich bin sehr beeindruckt von dieser tollen Trainerin!!! Und diesem toll ausgebildetem Pferd! Ich habe gar keine Ahnung von Western.. Reite immer schon nur Englisch 😅Du machst das soooo gut, Matt!!! Es ist ja wirklich total anders! ❤

[@carrieott4310]

It's always good to see you, and I thoroughly enjoy seeing you try new things! You were more confident pretty quickly. Whiskey is an impressive little horse!

[@charlotterockel-kennedy8913]

This has to be my favourite video ❤ What a beautiful, well trained horse and the trainer was absolutly fantastic. It seems so easy watching western riders ride and it doesn't look like they are doing much, but the truth is that it is so much harder riding with a light hand and legs/seat. You steer them just by looking in what direction you want to go 😂 western trained horses are very cool when ridden out on a hack. Well done Matt ❤

[@calvindavis2054]

Great interview Matt. And that property and the stables are all so beautiful.

[@diane9071]

Every English rider should try to experience the western riding techniques and incorporate them into their own horses and riding skills, I did this many yrs ago with the help of great reining trainers it helped with my overall balance and position, my horses learned with confidence, to the point of them being the pilot and i was their co pilot. I rode and showed Hunter Jumpers, Amazing video Matt, thankyou

[@shaanarisley343]

That was awesome! I had a Mom that was a Dressage trainer, but she started me on lunge learning balance. (I had to EARN my reins!) Then, all my dressage horses were taught to be moving off the seat and legs only (staying out of the mouth--other than to softening a little left or right to test lightness of their acceptance of bit & bend). So I basically began my career on reining & cutting horses! At 20, I started strictly training dressage only. And sure enough due to my early training, my horses moved off my seat and leg cues, with a very very light connection to the bit (and not long loose droopy reins like with stock seat riding! We had a soft even connection to the bit) Most stock seat to dressage seat had very similar cues! When in my western balanced ride reining saddle, I set my stirrups exactly as I do my dressage stirrups! My Stock Seat Equitation seat, was as good as a Dressage position! Now.. YOU GOT ME wanting (at 68 yrs young) to retire with a super nice reining horse--that's not been over used 'competitively' so their tendons are still strong and in tact! 😁 So I may start looking for a nice 12-14 yr old well bred reining horse with a "bit of cow sense" in him, to spend my later years trail riding and doing Amateur Reining classes every now and again for fun--cause I still have my competitive instincts! 😂 You and Jesse need one great reining horse in the barn, to play with yourselves, or even have a horse YOUR MOM OR DAD could ride on a visit to you!! ❤

[@shaanarisley343]

Not to mention!!! You & Jesse could do a very cool pas de deux exhibition using a dressage and a reining horse! Full dressage pirouettes next to a western 360° reining spin is always a crowd pleaser! ❤😁

[@michelletauson2867]

I made the switch from hunters/jumpers to Western Pleasure performance horses about 15 years ago. A good Western Pleasure horse is magical to ride. I love to watch reining! Awesome horse.

[@dcrouch1980]

I am sure this was eyeopening to many not in the States so Kudos!! The hardest thing about going from English to Western is getting your leg off the horse and letting your seat do the work, it did not help that your stirrups were way too short but with someone is as tall as you are it is hard to adjust them, which also made it hard to get your leg in front of you. Trying different styles will always make you a better rider and you did a great job. This was also a very nice horse and was a great one for a beginner.

[@cathyspiller7154]

Great horse! So responsive and sensitive! Now you know the close relationship between horse and rider. At times your lives depend on each other. Love and trust.

[@leeproulx7412]

That was fascinating to watch. It’s always wonderful to chase those opportunities to learn new things. You are such a confident rider and a fast learner. What a wonderful trainer and her horse. Thank you for posting this video. Great job!

[@loribadgero1035]

Awesome, Matt! You are a great student and the horse/trainer combo is perfect. Fun video! I hope you do go on vacay with Jesse at a dude ranch somewhere, whether it’s in the States or otherwise. Glad you had fun. 👏🏻🤩

[@caseybuffum3359]

Ahh, welcome to my favorite discipline! A finished western horse is just the best!! The other disciplines are fun too, but as an old horse lady I can say for sure a good bridle horse is hard to beat. I love that Western teaches a rider to stay out of their horses way, and allows the horse self carriage.

[@sharonm3677]

Incredible video. Love seeing you riding. I love how open you are to trying other riding styles and we get to learn about it and the differences. ❤❤

[@kowgyrl]

Matt you nailed it!!!! I grew up riding/training cutting and reining horses so this was such a treat seeing you out there getting it done like a pro! I knew you would! This one is definitely in my top 3 favorite videos of yours, thank you for sharing this adventure!!!💖🐴💫

[@PrincessAloeVera]

This is my favorite horse related video of all time! Really fun to watch all 3 of you (rider, trainer, and horse) working together so well. WONDERFUL !!

[@tanyaRmonteiro]

This was amazing to watch, the lady was so confident, such a great teacher! Feel it, wait a bit then fix it. Life Lesson

[@Makeupgrrl1313]

I loved watching you learn this! Such a contrast to dressage and English riding in general. Just so cool and informative. Thank you for this!

[@KajatheWolf]

please can we have jesse try? this must be exactly up his alley, connection and trust and listening to the horse first and foremost ❤

[@TheCat28cat]

So proud of you for opening up to western style riding. It’s was exciting watching you on such a cuttin horse beauty! Thanks Matt, I enjoyed this

[@l-bird]

This is one of the best videos I've watched in a long time. I truly smiled the whole way through. This is the first time seeing your channel. Thanks!

[@lukespurgeon5964]

Fantastic video, amazing horse, really fun to watch. BUT, more important than anything else in the video, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for teaming up with the sponsor! Mental health still carries with it a strong taboo throughout the world, and the fear of embarrassment or ridicule or shame keeps many people from getting the potentially life saving help they need. This can only be overcome when more and more people share their journeys. Thank you for sharing yours and using your influence to let the hundreds of thousands of people who follow you and look up to you know that there is nothing wrong with seeking out therapy! This is such an important message and I'm so grateful to you for sharing it! My therapist changed and saved my life and I will never stop advocating for mental health awareness. Thank you Matt for shining a light on it!

[@saspinks3001]

Good on you for being open & curious to trying ways that are new to you. And then to then realize you can take away something to enrich your English riding is just amazing of you!

[@Samoa959]

Wow! I do classical dressage (on a low level) and always found Western a bit strange, didn't understand it, saw a lot of videos woth the riders just kicking their horses, pulling on the reins... But this was amazing to watch! Very good trainer (great explanations and instructions) and veeeery well ridden horse 👌

[@user-wb3es8hz1d]

Matt, thank you so much for your honesty and encouragement to others about therapy! ❤

[@kristenkylemack9477]

I have always riden western but always loved watch English & jumping. It was fun watching you try western riding on a very well trained horse at 23, he knows his job. A good horse to teach you how it is! ❤ You looked like you had fun. Good job!

[@afolger1929]

Beautiful beautiful horse! Wonderful instruction and very good questions for the listeners to learn. Enjoyed this very much! Thank you!

[@SandraOrtmann1976]

That was very interesting. I have to admit that my field of equestrian study was, at the beginning, English dressage. Later Iberian and Classical. Western as far as the Californian style was concerned, but not much. But you did such a great demonstration here. And I could see a clearer connection between Iberian and Western style.

[@MiyaShily]

I loved this, so interesting! And her explaining everything so well is great for learning.

[@SarahWRah]

Yes, it was great seeing Matt experience a well-trained Western horse. Back when I used to ride, I would switch between Western, forward seat English, park saddle English and flat saddles for gaited horses. Being short, I always preferred any of the English styles to Western, because the saddles were lighter and easier to manage. And Western saddles felt bulky and awkward.

[@mariecook7910]

I'm sorry your going through all that your going through. The storms and struggles we go through in life only make us stronger. Although we may not understand why they come our way there is light at the end of the tunnel as long as you keep pushing forward. Prayers for you in your journey.

[@ShortOrderCook]

Matt you did great. What a fantastic horse! and the trainer was excellent. I learnt so much! Thankyou!

[@catherinedupre814]

I have never ridden English, I was always a cowgirl, I like watching you learn on a cow pony….🍀

[@janbosjr]

Awesome video and really amazing horse! It was fun to watch so thank you for sharing 😊

[@veroniqueauclair5006]

What an amazing opportunity 🤩👌 loved all the cues given..def will look at western differently after this ❤

[@Pheonix43]

I'm really a fan of this video because it was so informative. As someone who learned how to ride english, I never understood how different it is riding western. And believe me I watched the video's but it's difficult to see the differences with someone who is very proficient in riding western (and it probably is the same in the reverse situation). This video finally made sense to me! Thanks to the amazing explanation of the trainer and you of course for trying it out!

[@callienn]

Matt this was a great video! I loved watching you express sincere amazement by the difference in contact in western riding! Good for you for trying a different style and even showing how sophisticated it is!

[@lalah6157]

The Western saddle was a working device: designed for a variety of horseback functions, longer rides. Heavy, has a horn for rope, rings, ties. The English saddle was designed purely for pleasure riding, jumping, dressage, or racing. Shorter rides. Smaller, lighter. No horn for rope, no rings, no ties. I've ridden both. Everyone has a preference, mostly what they trained on.

[@mrsrazzer]

Love to see it! This was a fun video and what a treat to get to ride a well trained reining horse. I wouldn’t have thought he was 23! Great to see you trying a different discipline.

[@sandrakarls8466]

Great job. Matt! At the end we could see you understand more and more and you were able to feel the horse even more! To make it look easy is a lot of consequent work! Normally, if you are in the gear you want, there is no need for your legs anymore! the horse has to stay in this gear until you want something different! To archive that you need to practice this over and over again but not pushing the legs all the time! It was funny to see that one of your reins got shorter over the time and the horse respondet imediately by looking to that side! I would have prefered to make your stearups a bit longer but you managed it so well! It was so nice to see you giving your best and you did really good ! We can see that you are an experienced rider! Great to watch! And of course, the horse was top! and the teacher, too!

[@encoresbar]

Wonderful to watch, learned a lot! Thank you for sharing🐴

[@elizabethviv]

This is why American quarter horses are my favorite breed!

[@christinasymbonis4795]

What a great episode! So interesting and enlightening. Well done!

[@darksarcasm4835]

That was wonderful Matt! It’s very interesting to see an upper level dressage rider try something really different. Thank you for the cool video!

[@nesitbotica5919]

What a well-trained beautiful horse! It is wonderful to see such a light touch required!

[@159ww9]

This was so interesting, educational and so cool to see you learn western. You did great. The lady trainer was so good. The horse was absolutely amazing! This was fun to watch! Thank you!

[@kimnolan4084]

This was so interesting to see, Matt I never knew all this stuff about western riding. What a well trained beautiful horse . Thanks for sharing!

[@megconlan8977]

That was amazing Matt!

[@Faska_]

Amaaaaazing! You are adapting so well, it must be the weirdest feeling… and what a great instructor you have! Very very clear!

[@SuperSarahs123]

As someone who transitioned from English to Western and have taught a number of people through that process, I see this revelation about the lightness qnd sensitivity and engagement of a well trained western horse. The softest, most supple horse I've ever sat on was a barrel horse.

[@tristamyers1910]

This was fantastic to see!! Would love to see you in the States try again!!

[@cathythompson6872]

That was so fun to watch. What a lovely horse! Great job, Matt 😊

[@xPhyllx]

really nice to see western! i remember when the westernsport was waybigger in the netherlands 10 years ago. i hope it becomes big again in the future

[@heatherbennett6036]

Nice riding, Matt!❤

[@user-wb3es8hz1d]

Great instructor! Well done, Matt! You sit beautifully and learn very quickly in the Western style. Lovely, skilled and intelligent horse. Trust this amazing horse! I enjoyed watching this so much. Your openness and joy is wonderful. 💗

[@carolinevel94]

Omg whiskey is such a sweet smart horse and the trainer was really good at explaining everything, very informative video thank you for making it 😊

[@margaretwillis736]

Great horse and a good job from you, Matt. You are so adaptable and you really take instruction well. Thanks for sharing. I think Jesse enjoyed it as well.

[@Groundedsquirrel]

That was amazing. I learned some things too. Now I know why I ran into some trouble confusing a trail horse. Being taught English I was giving too many signals. I feel I better appreciate Western riding now! Had a stereotype that riders were too reliant on the bit. Not in this case. What a terrific well trained horse!

[@brookestrangwick1770]

Incredible video ! She explained it all so well