I finally tried Side Saddle

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Breagha

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So after ages of saying I was trying side saddle we finally had a go last weekend. Between rain and both our schedules it just took longer to get together.

So first of all I buttered Breagha up by putting her equilibrium massage pad on prior to the saddle. lol. But I didnt need to worry Breagha was fine with the saddle on her with all the balance straps.

I have to say that it is the strangest feeling riding side saddle when all you know is astride but I didnt feel unbalanced or worried I was going to come off (fairly unfit maybe with the muscles I used lol) But we tried a nice walk around to get her used to it and even tried a trot and a wee canter, we did have a buck one canter as I needed to use the whip for my outside leg but again I didnt feel worried about coming off.

I am considering investing in a saddle but they are alot of coin, so I am waiting to see what the Orthopaedic surgeon says regarding surgery on my hips before diving in. But I would say try it to people if they get the chance.

Not the best picture as the sun was against us and my husband sucks at picture taking lol. x
 

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Oh glad you enjoyed it, I had a go years ago - we did it as part of camp, used 3 or 4 of the school ponies none had ever had a side saddle on before but they were all good as gold.
 
I had a SS lesson on a Mechanical horse recently. But have been told finding a saddle to fit both me & my 14.3 pony might be tricky so it may just be a pipe dream
 
The girls saddle that I had a shot of was made to measure for her horse. It is hard to get the saddles and harder to try them.
 
How did you feel after ? was it less pressure on your hips than normal ?

Just asking as its something ive been considering, Im finding that after riding( for a few days after) I just cant walk properly. Ive had a week off riding and cant believe the difference.
 
Asha said:
How did you feel after ? was it less pressure on your hips than normal ?

Just asking as its something ive been considering, Im finding that after riding( for a few days after) I just cant walk properly. Ive had a week off riding and cant believe the difference.
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Hi,

I actually felt fine on the hip front. I am like you sometimes I am in agony for days after I ride. If I ride regularly although still sore, it is more bearable.

But the only thing that was sore was the stomach and left muscles from the postition I was in, but it would all depend on what issues you have with your hips etc. My hip issue is external rotation I think, so what I am sat on a horse, I struggle to put my leg on without pain and I cant take my knee away from the saddle.
 
Carlosmum said:
I had a SS lesson on a Mechanical horse recently. But have been told finding a saddle to fit both me & my 14.3 pony might be tricky so it may just be a pipe dream
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That's interesting, does the mechanical horse give readings on how the weight is distributed on its back? I always wondered how symmetrically a side saddle distributes the weight.
 
I had a couple of side saddle lessons years ago and loved it. Felt it made my normal position better. Glad you enjoyed it
 
Reacher said:
That's interesting, does the mechanical horse give readings on how the weight is distributed on its back? I always wondered how symmetrically a side saddle distributes the weight.
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If the 'horse' did such things we weren't given any information. However, the lesson was with an experienced instructor who checked my position by eye. I think if you are not level you would struggle to sit the big bouncy trot/canter the horse had. Most of the balance came from core muscles, much more noticeable than when riding astride.
 
Brian Gimbli said:
Balancing is not so difficult. You have to try more and more
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Best you explain what you mean. You have added very odd messages to threads that are rather meaningless.

OP, I think riding SS is like marmite, v glad you enjoyed it and more so that B was steady about taking to it. Are you able to hire in the short term?
 
Hi all, balancing was easier than I thought, showed me I need to work on my core as obviously you need to use it more so.

It is like marmite and it does make you feel like a sack of tatties to start with but when I watched the video back, it looks alot better than feels if that makes sense. I will need to look into hiring as I am in Inverness, so no where near me does it and we only have one person that actually fits them.

But if we go into lockdown we wont be allowed to ride anyways so will hang fire.
 
I switched to SS a couple of years ago as I could no longer ride astride. I'm writing a blog about learning classical dressage side saddle if anyone's interested? It's on www.fitforaqueenie.co.uk
I have to say, I'm not a natural but the more I ride the more natural it feels. It dies make me laugh when people say about SS being elegant- not when I do it!
 
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