Bet you've not seen one of these before! Side Saddle roller!

sidesaddlegirl

sidesaddlegirl

Well-Known Member
Joined
11 November 2007
Messages
2,594
Location
Wigston, Leicestershire
www.sidesaddlegirl.co.uk
ss_surcingle2.jpg


Or surcingle if you are from across the pond like me :)

Came in the post from West Virginia and I had to try it out today. It's a Western one and dates from the late 19th century and would have been used for bareback riding or for circus riding (my one was just a bareback riding one though judging from the construction of it).

ss_surcingle6a.jpg


I tried it on Hattie but only walked her a little bit in it as she is on rest this week from being kicked by spawn-of-satan, Jacob. Then I tried it on Jacob and rode around the field. He's on 14 hh and has a comfy walk and gate (and is a alot wider in the back, not a sticky up TB spine like Hattie) so figured if I fell off, there would be less height to fall from, lol. I felt more secure on Hattie though as she's my side saddle mare, Jacob doesn't have much experience with it.

ss_surcingle11a.jpg


It really forces to to sit properly or else you fall off so I think I'm going to use it to practice my position in the school at least once a week for about 5- 10 minutes or so. Don't think I'll be doing anything faster than a walk in it either!! I need to get it restored first.
 
We used one similar when the hunters came in for those that would take the side saddle later as it helped harden them off better in the right places than just the normal rollers we used for the astride hunters (was 45 years ago though, eek!)
 
Do you have another off side picture? What stops it from slipping - does it have the equivalent of a balance strap? Very intrigueing - you're right, never seen one of those!

Wouldn't like to try it on my TB though - yeouch!!
 
Mine's an original antique Victorian one but there is a saddler in France that still makes them, in different colors too!

There isn't anything that stops it from rolling, only your balance. I'm going to use it as a schooling aid to make me keep my right shoulder back, my rib/core muscles up and my seat as square as humanly possible. Those were the only things that kept me on and I was knackered by the end of it and I only was walking, lol! It goes to show how much we rely on our saddles, bareback really puts things into perspective.

Here is an off-side view when I tried it on Hattie..
ss_surcingle5.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top