Side saddle and back problems? (Horse and Human)

[FlyingCircus]

I've no interest in starting to ride side saddle (anyone who does is FAR braver than me), but I was just pondering..due to the nature of your legs being on one side of the horse, does this cause back problems for horse and rider?

It looks to me as though the rider's aim is to centre their weight on the horse's back, but I imagine this is difficult to do.
It also doesn't look hugely comfortable for the rider to be twisted either and I wander if the movement (especially in trot and canter) is bad for a rider's spine as they're twisting to face forwards?

Anyone who can shed light on this, I'd greatly appreciate it just for the sake of feeding my own curiosity! I'm always amazed and in awe at these women I see riding their massive hunters over huge hedges..and all side saddle no less!!

 

[Jo1987]

I always wonder this as well - surely only having a stirrup on one side is asking for problems for both horse and rider!

 

[Notimetoride]

Im by no means an expert in this as I havent ridden side saddle for years now, but for 2 years I had lessons ridden side saddle. Yes, there is a real emphasis for everything being central but when I was first learning to canter side saddle, it was always on the right rein initially so my legs were on the outside so that the horse didnt accidentally slip over with my legs on the inside. I can only think this was because there was more weight on the side where my legs were. I do wonder if the horse can possibly become a little one sided, as you dont have a leg on the other side - the whip compensates for this. As for the rider, its very comfortable (or I thought so) and in some respects, youre more secure and a bucking horse I think would struggle more to unseat a side saddle rider than an astride rider. But yes, you do twist. Im now 20 years older, and now have a bad back, so maybe I wouldnt find it quite as comfortable as I used to. there will be plenty of people reading this tho who have vastly more experienced that me and can probably correct me and give you a more accurate answer.

 

[mjcssjw2]

in principle you should be balanced, with a very carefully balanced and fitted saddle, in practice I am not sure this happens all the time, would be interesting to put one of those pressure measuring numnahs underneath some side saddle combinations!! they are clearly not central. Having said that I think sidesaddle girl on here has done with her horse and says it is balanced.

 

[HufflyPuffly]

Now I'm no expert but have done a little sidesaddle. You are sat central in the saddle so the weight is as evenly distributed as an astride saddle. The problem I've found is that the saddles are very much specific for one horse and rider, far more than astride saddles, and if not quite spot on it does make it tricky. I'm quite short through my legs so reaching the leaping head without twisting was difficult in a couple of saddles, as I've only ever hired rather than buying and having them properly fitted to be spot on.

I cannot imagine sidesaddle causes any more back problems or one sidedness than astride if done properly.

x x

 

[Nevergrewup]

I ride side saddle a lot and everything Alex posted above is bang on - a well fitting saddle and balanced rider will not result in back problems for either of them. But if you try and ride sideways on without some expert instruction or put a side saddle on your horse without input from a specialist side saddler (or at the very least a good SS instructor) then you might as well pre book the chiropractor and/or physio.

Edited to add - in the old days side saddles were made to measure for both horse *and* rider so finding an antique one that fits both cam be tricky! And I've yet to see a modern side saddle as good as these 'old ladies'. If you ever fancy a go at side saddle, whatever you do please don't buy a cheap (under £1k) side saddle as they're usually overseas imports and basically unridable. SS sadly ain't cheap!

 

[LittleRooketRider]

just to add my pennyworth..

I was very fortunate to do a bit of side-saddle over the summer with Cindy Sims as I was a working pupil there. As has been said a side-saddle is more specific. Plus you are not really twisted because you legs still "look forward".

 

[FlyingCircus]

You are all far braver than me :')
I love watching people ride side saddle as it really is quite different and I respect how much skill it must take but..not for me i'm afraid! I struggle riding astride at the best of times so think I should focus on that for now haha

 

[Notimetoride]

You are all far braver than me :')
I love watching people ride side saddle as it really is quite different and I respect how much skill it must take but..not for me i'm afraid! I struggle riding astride at the best of times so think I should focus on that for now haha

No its great - really. Certainly dont have to be 'brave', though possibly those ladies who go hunting and jump side saddle are. You're really secure in the saddle. Do go and give it a go if you get the chance - you'll be surprised

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RV_oYU5f-8o

 

[Orangehorse]

I have a lovely book written by Jack Chance where he devotes a whole chapter on ladies riding side-saddle v. astride. There are photos on how the rider should sit, and how not! An unbalanced rider will cause problems to horse and self.

His daughters could ride astride and side-saddle and there are wonderful photos of them jumping and galloping.
He came to the conclusion that a girl could ride astride just as well as a man, provided that she devoted plenty of time and had plenty of lessons, but if a woman only wanted to ride occasionally then side siddle was better, as the rider is more secure and so doesn't hang on to the horse's mouth.

Putting a side-saddle on a bucking horse was often done by dealers to try and break the habit as the rider is more secure and less likely to be thrown off. Which is actually why jumping side-saddle must be risky, as if the horse falls the rider is surely more likely to be rolled on.

 

[mjcssjw2]

its strange about feeling more secure, i definately feel better astride!! lol

 

[sidesaddlegirl]

Side saddle trees are specially designed to distribute the rider's weight evenly. If you look at a side saddle, you can see how the tree is offset, etc. It's not symmetrical like an astride saddle which is why you shouldn't buy any cheap side saddles (often black named Hilason, Pfiff and a variety of others including some Zaldi's) as they are literally a normal astride tree with some pommels screwed onto them. THOSE will hurt your horse's back and yours but a properly made side saddle tree and flocked to fit your horse will feel as even as astride riding. I only ride side saddle, we go out galloping and I even braved jumping 2'3" at the last clear round jumping show (something I wouldn't have done astride!!!). My back and wonky hip like it and does does my horse