Question about side-saddle

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nikkitodhunter

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Just posting this on here out of curiosity really, as I've got no experience of side-saddle and don't know anyone who has done it - but I have wondered for a while how the aids work when riding side-saddle? Presumably a lot is done with the seat & voice, or am I wrong?
Also, how do side-saddle riders & horses cope with the uneven-ness? I'd have thought that the weight on one side would be quite unequal and unbalancing on the horse's back, can anyone enlighten me as to how that works?

Looking forward to learning something new! :)
 
Can't help directly with your questions, but if you have access to H&C TV, they are currently running a side saddle masterclass programme (with Katie Jerram I believe). I caught a couple of minutes the other night and she was demonstrating straightness and balance of the rider.
 
You are sat completely straight in the saddle so there is no unevenness, it is quite tricky however to get a good fit between you and the horse and the saddle as the best saddles are vintage and were made to measure for a particular partnership.

Aids were pretty much the same but instead of your right leg you have a long whip.

I'm very much a novice having only done it a handful of times, but both horses loved it and I do want to try and do some more!

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I have a lovely book written by Jack Chance where he devotes a whole chapter on side saddle v. astride for ladies, and comes to the conclusion that for ladies who are only riding occasionally, then side saddle is better. He considered that a lady could learn to ride astride, but would have to devote time and effort to getting a secure seat and not be relying on the reins to stay on. The rider uses a whip to give the aids on the off side.

He shows a series of photos, with good and bad seats, and it is very true that if you are not sitting correctly and/or the saddle is not a good fit, then it will rub the horse's back. The photos I love are those with his daughters galloping flat out and jumping side-saddle.

Remember that old saddles were made for horses that were very likely much narrower, as they didn't get the worming modern horses do, and were probably working much harder.

He also mentions that some old dealers would put a side saddle on a bucker, as the rider was less likely to be thrown off,
although he wasn't saying that a lady should ride a horse that bucks!
 
Best tip I ever got when riding aside (and I am by no means an expert), was "keep the right shoulder back and the left leg forward". The cane gives the aids for the missing right leg. There is a sidesaddle association which would be a good place to start for finding instructors, clothing and tack.
 
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