A Look at Traditional Riding Practices Around the World

Seattle may be associated with its technology skyline, coffee culture, and misty mornings but it also boasts of some of the best horseback riding in Seattle where horseback riders get away with the hustle and become one with nature. These local trails are not simply recreational, they belong to a much longer history and more widespread, the world over, tradition of horseback riding which has created communities over the centuries. Whether it is the vast Mongolian steppe or the cobblestone streets of Spain, each part of the globe has its way of riding, and each is unique in that it is also defined by a geography, way of life and history.

A trail ride on a forested park in Seattle or on open meadow may seem a world away to what a Kazakh herdsman would experience in a long trek in the open plains. But nature is identical: the connection between a horse and a rider, and the ability to do the work in harmony.

Nomadic Routes of Mongolia

Horses are not only an animal in the wide, undulating grasslands of Mongolia, but they are a lifestyle. They have been used by Mongolian nomads to transport goods and herds as well as go to war in centuries. Children are normally taught how to ride when they are almost walking which makes them learn balance and skill at a tender age.

The Mongolian saddle is light-weight, small, high-backed, and is made to give endurance and control at long distances. The riders in this area usually ride tens of miles each day and learn to face the unstable landscape and extreme weather elements. Riding in Mongolia is not a recreation or hobby- it is a survival, self-sufficiency and cultural determination.

This relationship between routine and riding on horseback might not appear to have much to do with the Pacific Northwest, yet the discipline and flexibility of the Mongolian horse riding culture resonate with the focus and affinity that Seattle riders apply to hilly terrain, muddy trails and dense forests.

Spanish Vaquero Heritage

Whereas Mongolia brought the world a tough form of riding over long distances, Spain brought another form of art. The Spanish vaquero culture, which has a long history in Andalusia, combines labor and style. Vaquero horsemanship was originally developed to herd cattle, and relied on clear communication, light use of the reins, and trust between horse and rider.

The Iberian horses, including the Andalusian, were developed to be agile and strong, and were ideal in the complex movements of cattle work and, later, classical dressage. This style had an impact on the American cowboy tradition when the Spanish colonists took their horses and their riding technique with them to the Americas.

Whenever the Seattle riders ride Western or even just in the arena, they are unwittingly continuing a tradition that can be traced back to these Spanish origins. The nice proportion of utility and grace is as much applicable to a Washington trail as to a Spanish ranch.

Desert Endurance in Arabia

Horses in the Arabian Peninsula were bred to survive in one of the harshest climates on earth. The Arabian horse was an endurance breed with a high degree of intelligence and elegant features, and was the base of many breeds nowadays. Horsemen in this area perfected long distance endurance riding where they would traverse huge distances in the desert with very little water.

The Arabian riding culture was ceremonial and prideful as well. Horses were family pets and breeding lines were kept secret over a hundred years. The riding technique was changed in order to maintain the horses cool, rested and responsive in long distances.

In Seattle, riders can be inspired by these desert traditions on their endurance rides through forest trails or open ridgelines. It is not a race but a pace, a plan and keeping the horse fresh throughout the race.

From Tradition to Modern Trails

Today, horseback riding traditions from around the world influence how we ride, even when enjoying the best horseback riding in Seattle. The finest horsemanship in Seattle will likely rely on some part of these very old traditions, be it the stamina-based approach of Arabian horsemen, the efficiency of Mongolian nomads, or the class of the Spanish vaquero.

The trails of Seattle, as they twist through the foothills of the Cascades, or edge along the banks of Lake Washington, or ascend into rainy evergreen woodlands provide a place in which these traditions can be reinvented. Riders need not be herding cattle or riding across deserts, but they are exercising aspects of the skills that have been developed over the last 10,000 years: reading the terrain, balance, and creating a non-verbal relationship with the horse.

Local stables also frequently have riding styles based on these traditions available to those who want to ride, not merely experience, a living connection to world heritage. In this case, you will be able to play around with Western tack, English saddles, or even endurance set up to see which one fits you best in terms of goals and personality.

And when you are looking to find a place where you can explore these riding traditions and have some of the best horseback riding in Seattle area, Skyland Ranch does provide the ideal location. It is where the past and present meet- one ride at a time, with knowledgeable instructors, scenic trails and a great understanding of the history of horsemanship.