Riding Side-saddle: who's done it?

MiJodsR2BlinkinTite said:
Mmmm, I had in fact thought of it, BUT the main problem seems to be that side-saddles are not made nowadays, and the only ones available are really really old, and were made for a certain type of horse, i.e. light ladies hack with high withers and NOT barrel shaped. Apparently these old saddles CAN be made to fit, but they have to break them in half and/or radicaly alter them for horses like mine, which then makes them prohibitively expensive.

Also, I have a degree of spinal curvature, so don't want to make this whole thing worse basically.
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You can now buy them new - there is a company whose name I can't remember that makes them

I rode side saddle many years ago - loved it!
 
My neighbour did often- she had a warmblood mare and I think they even competed side saddle.
I never have and wouldn't ever want to to be honest!
Two questions though- Is it not really bad for the horses back? can you alternate sides? I assume that's a very stupid question as I typed it!
Can any horse just be got on ss and ridden or are they broken/trained differently?
 
I ride side-saddle - started in April of this year, really got into it and took my pony to Side Saddle Nationals yesterday.

Lots of wider beasties competing successfully - the winner of the costume dressage to music was riding a fell (worth checking out the video on Youtube - search Ted + Cool Runnings) and the winner of the ridden coloureds was riding a very nice Vanner.
 
poiuytrewq said:
Two questions though- Is it not really bad for the horses back? can you alternate sides?
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No, not at all. I think like anything it helps to have a well-fitting saddle, get your horse regularly checked over, vary the work you do (astride and aside). As for alternating sides - only if you have the budget for an offside and a nearside side-saddle... There are a few collectors who DO, but most folk won't!
 
I've ridden side saddle on a couple of mine, and on one of my OH's. I really enjoyed it, even jumped side saddle on my pony, not on the arab though, as she goes off like a rocket and jumps a bit big at times!! I'm hoping to do a bit more, and possibly do pairs with a friend who has a matching arab!
 
I've had a go at side saddle a couple of weeks ago for the first time on my own horse. The first saddle that was put on made me feel quite insecure, but after a quick change the second saddle was so much better. I really enjoyed it, loved doing the canter, although my boy couldn't figure out where my right leg was! Here's a picture of us (hopefully!)



I have also ridden a school master side saddle and it's so much easier!
 
Hello, I ride side saddle and it annoys me that most people ask, isn't it bad for you and your horses back’ the short answer is no! As long as your saddle is fitted properly and you ride correctly. You ride with most of your weight on your right seat bone, but you do not lean your back should be straight. Saddles can be a problem because if you want to compete then you should really have a old saddle, but there are lots of people who hire them. Also any horse or pony can try side saddle! At the national show there are loads of classes including coloured, arab and native classes.
If anyone is interested you can look on the side saddle association website, or if anyone of you live in the east midlands my area, Area 12 hold ‘have a go days’. We have Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/104192462955760/?fref=ts
 
Yes, I'd be cautious too. There is a LOT of crap out there. If anyone is looking to get their own SS, you might be best to run your potential purchase past the ladies on Side Saddle Riders! group on Facebook, for a 'buy it' or 'burn it' verdict :)
 
I've done it! I only stopped because my horse was an ISH that got so wide I couldn't get a saddle to fit him. (XXwide!)
It had benefits as I found it made me more aware of my position and balance when I was astride, and I hacked out aside happily. There are saddles out therre for all types of horses, it just takes a bit of work to find one, and I found the sidesaddle community very helpful. Good luck!
 
I have only done it the once. One of my clients has recently brought one and she let me have a go. Have always wanted to try it ever since reading flambards at about ten years old!! And I LOVED it, to the point where id happily never ride astride again if someone would give me a side saddle. Lol don't think that would agree with working with the damn beasts mind. I felt so at home (despite the stirrups not going short enough for my leg) and just wanted to keep going and going. I've never been an elegant rider, but from pics I think side saddle seemed to suit me. Makes you appear a lot slimmer too. I've got an ex polo pony with quite a high wither and relatively long flat back so think she could be quite easy to fit. Not that I'd ever have the money to buy one! But I recommend anyone try it. It was absolute bliss, I walked around with a massive grin on my face all day, like a little kid whose just had their first ride on a pony!!!!!
 
yes i used to. loved it. v comfortable, though didnt enjoy jumping much (didnt do too much of that). also you do have to be careful in an arena on the left rein as horse can become off balance on a bend. other than that, i always felt perfectly secure infact more so than riding astride. its not at all difficult, though obviously there is a right way and a wrong way - need to get some lessons on a SS schoolmaster and SS instructor. Enjoy !
 
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