Hooked on side saddle!

[ginger_pony]

Hi everyone, i'm new to forums so hope this works ok!
Just had to say that after being surprised yesterday with a side saddle lesson from my lovely partner for my birthday I am officially HOOKED!

After the first 10 mins of feeling like i'd never sat on a horse before (have been riding for at least 17 of my 26 years) and the aids all being jumbled in my head I don't think I did too badly for a first try! From the outset I couldn't believe how secure it feels and canter felt amazing!

Well just to say if I had my own horse(still waiting for the childhood dream to come true!) I will definately be pursueing a showing career aside!

I have been following the side saddlegirl blog avidly and i'm just plain obsessed by it all lol even the instructor said she was impressed with my research haha, well I hope to learn more and get to know other side saddle enthusiasts on here and wish you all luck in your side saddle goals!

Thanks for readingxx

 

[WinniethePoo]

Welcome, Ginger_pony
So glad you enjoyed it! I'm also getting hooked on side saddle - and I just need my own horse again! (I've been horseless for 7 yrs now and get plenty of riding but it's just not the same) There are a couple of pics of my lesson on my friend's lovely TB x Percheron, Jack, in my album on here.
The minute I win the lottery I know exactly what I'm spending the money on!

 

[sidesaddlegirl]

Heehee!!! Welcome to the dark "side"! It is an addiction as you end up spending all your money on it and it's all you ever think about but at least it's good for your health than drugs, lol.

I hardly ever ride astride now except if I'm going on a hack somewhere where I need to open gates, get off, etc. The side saddle has become my normal saddle.

 

[katherine1975]

Sounds like great fun, I am going to book myself a side saddle lesson for my week off in September. Can't wait!

 

[Aoibhin]

it is very addictive & really horrid when they say you cant any more

 

[ginger_pony]

Thankyou for the welcomes

I couldn't concentrate in work today as still buzzing from my side saddle lesson! Winniethepoo-The photos are amazing, what a handsome horsey and you look fab! I also join you in the lottery what if club lol

Sidesaddlegirl-I think it is great that the side saddle has become your normal saddle and I totally agree, much healthier than a drug addiction.. I've just had to drop side saddle into conversation all day today, couldn't help myself I have side saddle-itis!

katherine1975-go for it!enjoy and come and report back, would love to hear how you get on!

Aoibhin-so sorry that you've been told you can't do it anymore, it must be awful.

I will try and post some pics but as I say new to this so may not work!xx

 

[ginger_pony]

I give up on that idea as I have not the foggiest idea how to post photos, any pointers?

 

[WinniethePoo]

Lol! Thank you ginger_pony! If you go along to Sandon Saddlery you can have a play at habit trying on (or buying if you're feeling flush!)
I put my pics in my album because I couldn't get them into a post, way beyond my capabilities confused I clicked on User CP, and then just followed the instructions from there.......... hope that helps!

 

[ginger_pony]

Just noticed your not too far from me Winniethepoo, does this mean you mean Sandon Saddlery that comes up on google as Buntingford, Herts??I'm new to the area (originally northern lass!)so can't say i've immediately heard of it but if it is then looks like a road trip is in order haha!Can't think of anything better than a habit trying on day!!!!

P.S thanks for photo advice, will try thatx

 

[sidesaddlegirl]

DO NOT go to Sandon Saddlery as you will end up dropping serious ££££'s. I've been there three times since January and have bought a total of 6 side saddles from them + various other side saddle bits and bobs (you do the maths, lol). Miss Dodd-Noble is the "dealer" to us side saddle "junkies"

 

[WinniethePoo]

Just noticed your not too far from me Winniethepoo, does this mean you mean Sandon Saddlery that comes up on google as Buntingford, Herts??I'm new to the area (originally northern lass!)so can't say i've immediately heard of it but if it is then looks like a road trip is in order haha!Can't think of anything better than a habit trying on day!!!!

P.S thanks for photo advice, will try thatx

Yes, that's the one! You need lots of time as it's a bit of a TKMaxx affair for everything equestrian, you do need to rummage!

 

[WinniethePoo]

DO NOT go to Sandon Saddlery as you will end up dropping serious ££££'s. I've been there three times since January and have bought a total of 6 side saddles from them + various other side saddle bits and bobs (you do the maths, lol). Miss Dodd-Noble is the "dealer" to us side saddle "junkies"

Lol! They're very persuasive in there aren't they? I'm off there this week to see if I can get a navy caldene apron to match up with a Caldene cutaway habit jacket that I picked up on ebay - I'm sure the ladies are up to the challenge
I found a side saddle safety stirrup in a lonesome bucket in the men's clothing section a couple of weeks ago, sadly it was a kids one and too small for me
BTW, sidesaddlegirl, have you ever had any experience of the Hillason side saddles? There's a small one on ebay that would fit me, and even with the carriage from the states it's a good deal - is there a reason for that? Are they rubbish?

 

[sidesaddlegirl]

Stay away from Hilasons. They are the poster child of what a side saddle should not be!

They are built on astride trees so...
-You would never be able to sit correctly therefore, you would fall off.
-Give your horse a bad back due to you sitting crooked.
-An astride tree does not give you or the horse support to sit side saddle as it is not balanced properly so you would be constantly rolling to the left (and also giving your horse a bad back!).
-They are impossibly wide and only fit the most massive of draft horses so would probably not fit your horse and end up giving it a bad back anyways!

A side saddler in the US took one apart and it was made from wood from pallets stapled together and it was stuff with carpet scraps and goodness knows what else. I believe they also said that the fixed head was also stapled onto the tree so not good as that is the pommel that keeps you on the saddle!

Apart from being stuffed with questionable materials, the panels aren't even cut right for a side saddle either. They look like astride panels so the saddle with never be balanced even if you take out the mish mash of "flocking" inside.

The girth straps are set WAY WAY too far back so the saddle would ride forward on any horse and would you really trust cheap Asian leather on a weight bearing item?

The leaping head is placed wrong too. It's too high up and nearly at the side of the fixed head so you would never be able to do the emergency grip or give you any support if jumping.

The only thing that this saddle has going for it, is that it's cheap, made from leather and would make a nice pub wall decoration or prop.

So, only buy this saddle if you want to fall off and hurt your horse's back or you want to decorate with it.

I don't know why companies are allowed to sell this cr*p.

If you are on a budget, the Elan which is sold and patented by Hundred Oaks (but it's made in India), is a good saddle as Marti Friddle, does strict quality control on her saddles.http://hundredoaksinc.com/sidesaddles_for_sale
She ships internationally from the US and I have bought from her before.

Other than that, you are best to save up for one of the old name side saddles

 

[WinniethePoo]

Thank you, sidesaddlegirl, that explains a lot. Oh well, back to waiting until the hire season starts again, or that lottery win!

 

[ginger_pony]

aahh tk maxx for horses sounds like heaven!! I definately need to visit!! Thankyou for the lesson sidesaddlegirl as I also saw a Hilasons side saddle on ebay and thought that isn't a maker I had come across so far. Good luck with the apron search Winniethepoo!I may bump into you down there! Lol I must meet this Miss Dodd-Noble for a "fix"! 6 side saddles sidesaddlegirl!WOW!!xx