Side saddle excitement!!

How exciting! I rode side saddle twice a few years ago, just to find out what it was like.

The first few moments I was on felt very weird but it was surprisingly quick to get used to it. After about a lap of the school it felt fine. It feels very elegant and amazingly secure. There were about 6 of us in the taster sessions and we all managed walk and trot and a couple of bolder ones managed canter.

One odd thing that you notice at first is that you have no right leg to use! A few of us went round in circles for a while until we got used to using the cane as a leg. ;)

The only thing I found was that my hips hurt a bit afterwards (I am in my 40s with a dodgy SI joint though!)

Hope you enjoy it!
 
Go with what your instructor thinks... I jumped my first time in a side saddle (!)... and I don't normally jump astride very much at all. I look terrified in the pics but it was fine :-)

If you're riding a horse who is used to it (ratehr than re-training your own) you should find it isn't too hard.

Some saddles are much comfier than others... and some don't have a lot of room for chunky legs so close fitting jods are good!

I used bp/hat/gloves/long boots as usual with mine.
 
No garter straps or half chaps with bling/buckles as the outside of your right leg sits aginst the saddle and your instructor won't be impressed if there's a scratch on her antique side saddle!

She'll also want you in a close fitting top (e.g. a fitted fleece) so she can see you spine and seat. You get boiling riding sideways so you won't freeze :)
 
Thank you every one!!!
I am ok with the long boots as i have a pair i love!!
hat is all to date so that is ok
gloves check!!
the horse is part of the riding school were the lesson will take place and they have been ridden side saddle before as they should look after me!

So excited!!

will report back come Sunday no doubt with a photo or two and a cramp or ache some were ha ha ha!!
:D
 
I really enjoyed it when I had a go.
Just keep thinking....
1. Right shoulder back
2. Hold head up & look forward, not down.

Get comfortable and equal in your position BEFORE you move off. It's mush harder to adjust when you're moving.

Who's the lesson with?
 
Wear full seats if you have them. I always ride side saddle in them as even if your saddle has a doeskin seat, it helps with grip. You may feel more comfier for your first time in short joddy boots with a chap only on your left leg. I just ride now in whatever I have on my feet but for your first lessons, you want your right leg to have close contact on the saddle so you can feel what's going on better.

Take pix too!!
 
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