Question: For those who live the “western” lifestyle?
Recently I have taken an interest in the “western” style of riding and am finding that I have some questions regarding the “lifestyle”. They are as follows:

1) When I look through western clothing/decor catalogs I find that there are very few choices. The “rock and roll” or “Harley Davidson” style seems to be predominant, or sometimes the old west 1800′s type style is present. Why is the western riding culture now centering around motorcycles and rock n’ roll instead of horses and country and blue grass music like it used to?

2) The last few rodeos, stock shows, or other western events I have attended have had far fewer spectators than what I remember from growing up.

3) Growing up cowboys/cowgirls were always presented to me and the equine community I participated in as the highest form of horsemanship (dressage too…just different disciplines). I was taught to respect these hard working men and women and learn from their ways to polish my skills. Now when I attend events like the ones above I have found the level of general horsemanship, riding skills, and equine knowledge has dropped drastically from when I was young. I have even whitnessed a growing amount of “roughness” and abuse toward the animals that I have never before in my life seen at rodeos/western equine events.

This concerns me. I love western and would like things to understand why these changes have come about. The clothing style is not concerning, just puzzling.

Can anyone offer an explanation for this culture change?
Courtney, you never have to be rough with any animal to gain respect. Coming from a completely scientific and experience point of view being rough even a “little” with an animal, especially a large animal, only causes them to fear you. In the case of horses this fear breeds an unhealthy and increasingly dangerous environment. I should know. I have extensive experience working with veterinarians as a vet tech, and some of the top trainers in my area as a student and as an assistant. I also own my own equine business and have attended many equine science lectures in pursuit of an equine science degree. Also, I was not referring to the skill level and knowledge dropping in the equine community across the board, only in the western community. In the “English” disciplines (which I have been a part of most of my life) the knowledge level both grows and is applied daily.
PS. Everyone keeps saying that attendance must be down due to the economic times…I guess I didn’t explain this part thoroughly enough. I have found that attendance to western events in my area (and the surrounding ones that I am able to drive to) have been dropping over say the last 10 years that I have noticed. It is truly sad. Rodeos for instance are so fun, and the show segments between competitions are always so great to watch, especially for the kids.
Yohanson- I have been going to pro rodeo events since I was a child. The events I am referring to are pro rodeo PRCA, IPRA, WPRA, and APRA. In fact I have whitnessed much less abuse, tacky clothing, and ignorance at local level “training” rodeos! Also, you are getting a thumbs down for the nasty way you “speak”.
Royce…I really don’t know what to say other than this: Stop answering questions just to earn a measly few points!!! Your answer was rude and completely irrelevant to the question.

Answer:

Answer by mulewrangler
i think it just comes from the changeing times…I live in a tiny rural town called burns And its still what you would call a cowboy town they call themselfs buckaroos here.. there very old fashioned and traditional people here. It is dishartening to see our lifestyle slipping away becuse its seen as To old fashioned for the modern busy man