 The English saddle, however, is designed to allow the rider to have closer contact with the horse's back (Wilson, 2003).Another difference is that English riding involves the rider having direct contact with the horse's mouth via reins and the reins are used as part of an “aid.” In western riding, however, horses are mainly ridden with little to no contact with the riders using their seat, weight and neck reining to give aid or instructions in direction, etc., to the horse.In both Western and English riding, however, involve the rider sitting tall and straight in the saddle with their legs hanging naturally against the horse's sides as well as their arms relaxed and against their side, but not flapping, which is frowned against (Wilson, 2003).