Newbie Here - Just had a bash at side saddle!

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WinniethePoo

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Hi All, I've been lurking for a while - but having just had a side saddle lesson on my friend's Percheron X TB - Jack - I just had to share! I had some lovely feedback from the instructor, and that was despite the saddle not fitting brilliantly, and being too big for me (Jack's 17.3 hh and I'm 5 ft and a fag paper!) I'm hooked so I expect that means = broke once I've bought all the gear. I would just like some feedback on if you think we could possibly get somewhere showing - or should I do it on something smaller?
:D
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/album.php?albumid=2074
 
You may need to invest in a set of steps if you are asked to get off for tack inspection/trot up horse!

Otherwise I don't see any problem - my boy is 17.1hh and we're giving it a go (once I have a modern habit and he is sound again!).

Oh, and welcome!
 
Hello, and well done you for having a go. You look the picture of elegance.

On a practical note, if you want to have a go showing/competing/simply doing more side saddle riding, then I'd say that it's very important to have a saddle that correctly fits you and the horse. You won't be able to build up the horses fitness properly if the saddle doesn't fit him, and you won't achieve a fully secure seat if it doesn't fit you.

Apart from that my personal experience tells me that a lower to the ground (easier to get on, off and do gates side saddle) and long-backed (more comfortable to trot) horse is infinitely preferable to a tall bouncy variety. It looks from the picture that he's long and tall.

- the height thing is only a problem if you don't have a personal groom who can follow you around, do gates, and help you on an off whenever you want :)
 
Herpesas said:
You may need to invest in a set of steps if you are asked to get off for tack inspection/trot up horse!

Otherwise I don't see any problem - my boy is 17.1hh and we're giving it a go (once I have a modern habit and he is sound again!).

Oh, and welcome!
Click to expand...

Thank you for the welcome. I took some steps to the lesson - and Jack's only 6 - so I presume a lightweight rider should be better for him - the only problem that the instructor raised was getting a saddle to fit both of us. Good luck with your boy
 
JackyandRosie said:
Hello, and well done you for having a go. You look the picture of elegance.

On a practical note, if you want to have a go showing/competing/simply doing more side saddle riding, then I'd say that it's very important to have a saddle that correctly fits you and the horse. You won't be able to build up the horses fitness properly if the saddle doesn't fit him, and you won't achieve a fully secure seat if it doesn't fit you.

Apart from that my personal experience tells me that a lower to the ground (easier to get on, off and do gates side saddle) and long-backed (more comfortable to trot) horse is infinitely preferable to a tall bouncy variety. It looks from the picture that he's long and tall.

- the height thing is only a problem if you don't have a personal groom who can follow you around, do gates, and help you on an off whenever you want :)
Click to expand...
You've hit the nail on the head - it's getting a saddle to fit both of us - instructor reckons 15.5 for me - but suspects that would look ridiculous on Jack, and no, a personal groom isn't an option! (lovely idea tho!)
 
WinniethePoo said:
You've hit the nail on the head - it's getting a saddle to fit both of us
Click to expand...

I don't see why it would be a problem to be honest. If you're looking for an old one, then you are the right size to match all those ladies prancing around 100 years ago - most of them were 5ft nothing and dieted and corsetted down to the weight of a feather.

And while the horse may be tall, he's not wider than many of the mounts that would have been used - so not really such a difficult combination I don't think.

Good luck in looking.
 
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