Side saddle, how hard can it be?

[millreef]

Good evening,
I’m in my second month of training my mare in dressage and I thought “why not try side saddle”?!
Just to let you know I know nothing about side saddle, have never done it before but I’ve seen it when visiting county shows and always thought it looks delightful. I’m not in the UK so would need to import everything. Advice? Anyone done it themselves without lessons?

 

[HufflyPuffly]

I’ve given it a go on a couple of my horses. I went on clinic days and hired a saddle for a comp

Thoughts, saddle fit very important! You need to sit very square on to the horse. The horse needs to be whip comfortable as you don’t have one leg to use. Also, everything is sitting so you need to be comfortable doing that and the horse happy to be soft over the back.

I had a ball in giving it a try but never took it further in the end as I felt too tall on my show horse (the saddles sit higher than regular English saddles) and the other horse was never going to be a show horse.

 

[Cortez]

I wouldn't want to start trying to ride sidesaddle without both a very good experienced sidesaddle fitter, a good sidesaddle, and someone to give both you and the horse training. It's not too difficult if you have an independent, secure seat and a balanced horse.

 

[misst]

Years and years ago I did a bit on someone elses horse. I actually found it comfortable and easier than riding astride but the horse was a schoolmaster used to being ridden sidesaddle. I don't think you can just switch to sidesaddle on a horse not used to it without a lot of introduction - especially if you are both novice.

 

[Muddywellies]

It's very easy and more secure than astride. Tho when you first canter in an arena, be sure to canter on the right rein until the horse has got used to the different weight (ie legs on the outside)

 

[nikkimariet]

I did it on Fig. It’s really fun and very very cool.

 

[myheartinahoofbeat]

I had a side saddle lesson one. My horse and I got on really well, better than I thought we would. Come back from canter to trot was the hardest bit for me

 

[millreef]

I wouldn't want to start trying to ride sidesaddle without both a very good experienced sidesaddle fitter, a good sidesaddle, and someone to give both you and the horse training. It's not too difficult if you have an independent, secure seat and a balanced horse.

She’s not balanced at all yet. That’s good advice.

 

[FFAQ]

I only ride side saddle. Made the switch fir medical reasons about 5 years ago.
Finding a saddle to fit you and your horse is the hardest bit (especially when you have a shire). Saddles typically cost £1500-3000 and my girths were £100 each.
Check out the side saddle association- they're really friendly and will bend over backwards to help you get started.

 

[Skib]

It isnt the solution for every rider.
I started riding in my 60s with a deteriorating lower spine and already crooked. When a group of us visited a friend who owns an RS, we had the opportunity to ride side saddle.
Sad to say, I found it hard to mount and then was unable to sit comfortably in the saddle. We agreed not to continue.

 

[Abacus]

I mess around a little side saddle and love it, although as there isn't really a purpose to it (I don't do showing and am not brave enough to hunt SS) it's an occasional play rather than regular training. I started with a friend who had a sidesaddle (and was knowledgeable) but TBH we just chucked it on my super old horse, who takes everything in his stride, and it was great fun so I bought one. Obvs it should be well fitted and so on, and I don't know where to start myself, but there is a good local fitter here (sorry, that doesn't help you). Is there anywhere you could go for a schoolmaster lesson where they will have a saddle that fits, so that you don't have to worry about all that to start with? Not sure where to look elsewhere in the world.

 

[Dasher66]

I tried a few lessons many years ago. The instructor rode sidesaddle herself, was very experienced. My first lesson went well, horse very calm and obedient, walked, trotted, steered, then as we untacked the instructor said, “ that was the horse’s first time under sidesaddle!”.

 

[Pippity]

I rode a friend's horse sidesaddle a few times, but didn't know what I was meant to be doing so really struggled. I recently did a sidesaddle session on a simulator, where I was told was I meant to be doing, and therefore struggled even more!

It's something I'd like to do more of, but I suspect that finding a saddle for a very wide cob with a very short ribcage would be tricky.

 

[Orangehorse]

I have a book written by Col Jack Hance who had a riding school at Malvern and had a lot of pupils from the Malvern private schools to teach.

There are lovely photographs of his daughters riding side-saddle, jumping, hunting, galloping and he discusses the pros and cons for those ladies who did "The Season" and weren't riding all the time. He said that it goes without saying that the horse should be a well schooled lady's hunter to take a side-saddle and for the horse it is better that a lady who did not ride often enough to be good at riding astride, should be side-saddle as she is less likely to hang onto the horse's mouth and in fact has a more secure seat. So secure that some dealers would ride a known bucker in a side saddle as it was easier to stay on.

Riding side-saddle the lady must sit correctly, or it can damage the horse's back and there are again many photographs showing the correct way to sit, the turn-out, etc.

After WWI some soldiers who had been wounded would ride side-saddle, and would be to either side, so it isn't just ladies.

The only down side to riding side-saddle is that out hunting if the horse did have a fall at a fence then they are more likely to roll to the near side and crush the rider who wouldn't be thrown clear - just to cheer you up!

 

[millreef]

I only ride side saddle. Made the switch fir medical reasons about 5 years ago.
Finding a saddle to fit you and your horse is the hardest bit (especially when you have a shire). Saddles typically cost £1500-3000 and my girths were £100 each.
Check out the side saddle association- they're really friendly and will bend over backwards to help you get started.

Thanks! Good advice. Very helpful. But a bit shocked about the price of the tack

 

[Smitty]

Just curious. Does anyone make them these days or do you have to obtain one made a hundred years ago?

 

[druid]

Side saddle is good fun. I used to ride astride a lot on ponies and hunt SS

It's important to be straight, you are riding as if astride, shoulders etc should still be facing forward.

Tack is very expensive and can be finicky to fit

 

[druid]

Just curious. Does anyone make them these days or do you have to obtain one made a hundred years ago?

Several make them, Coralie Chung in Newmarket made mine (I bought it second hand). Rob Jenkins also makes them

 

[millreef]

I have a book written by Col Jack Hance who had a riding school at Malvern and had a lot of pupils from the Malvern private schools to teach.

There are lovely photographs of his daughters riding side-saddle, jumping, hunting, galloping and he discusses the pros and cons for those ladies who did "The Season" and weren't riding all the time. He said that it goes without saying that the horse should be a well schooled lady's hunter to take a side-saddle and for the horse it is better that a lady who did not ride often enough to be good at riding astride, should be side-saddle as she is less likely to hang onto the horse's mouth and in fact has a more secure seat. So secure that some dealers would ride a known bucker in a side saddle as it was easier to stay on.

Riding side-saddle the lady must sit correctly, or it can damage the horse's back and there are again many photographs showing the correct way to sit, the turn-out, etc.

After WWI some soldiers who had been wounded would ride side-saddle, and would be to either side, so it isn't just ladies.

The only down side to riding side-saddle is that out hunting if the horse did have a fall at a fence then they are more likely to roll to the near side and crush the rider who wouldn't be thrown clear - just to cheer you up!

Yikes!

 

[Smitty]

Thank you Druid

 

[rabatsa]

I broke my foot as a teenager and was lent a sidesaddle for 4 months, so that my cast did not damage my new astride saddle.

I just chucked the saddle on my RC mare and we set off, no instruction or help of any sort. She was a saint despite only being 6yrs old. We even did handy pony courses at the local shows.

Not got a clue if we did it correctly or not but it was fun.

 

[Quigleyandme]

Any well schooled horse or pony can carry a sidesaddle but there are things to consider if you want to do more than just try it. Ideally the horse will have a good wither and top line, a long enough back and have a decent barrel. The saddles are long; your right thigh is where your bottom would be when astride. They are designed for riding in straight lines, as in the hunting field or Rotten Row, not in an arena. You’ll be really lucky if the fixed head, which is the top pommel, is in the right place for you which can have a dramatic effect on your comfort and security so if you’re trying it and you don’t feel safe the saddle probably isn’t the best fit for you. You need a very strong core to maintain the left shoulder forward, right hand twizzle in the waist secure seat. Trot is fairly horrible as is canter and jumping on the left lead but canter on the right lead feels wonderful and effortless. When jumping you can only fold at the hip whilst your bottom remains in the saddle and only the more experienced should try jumping off the left lead. You will never feel as poised and elegant as you do riding sidesaddle in a beautifully tailored habit. Give it a go if you have the opportunity.

 

[Quigleyandme]

I have a book written by Col Jack Hance who had a riding school at Malvern and had a lot of pupils from the Malvern private schools to teach.

There are lovely photographs of his daughters riding side-saddle, jumping, hunting, galloping and he discusses the pros and cons for those ladies who did "The Season" and weren't riding all the time. He said that it goes without saying that the horse should be a well schooled lady's hunter to take a side-saddle and for the horse it is better that a lady who did not ride often enough to be good at riding astride, should be side-saddle as she is less likely to hang onto the horse's mouth and in fact has a more secure seat. So secure that some dealers would ride a known bucker in a side saddle as it was easier to stay on.

Riding side-saddle the lady must sit correctly, or it can damage the horse's back and there are again many photographs showing the correct way to sit, the turn-out, etc.

After WWI some soldiers who had been wounded would ride side-saddle, and would be to either side, so it isn't just ladies.

The only down side to riding side-saddle is that out hunting if the horse did have a fall at a fence then they are more likely to roll to the near side and crush the rider who wouldn't be thrown clear - just to cheer you up!

I have this lovely book in my collection. It tickles me when he writes how challenging it is to teach ladies to ride well at his establishment when they are obliged to divide their time between London, the country and Scotland every year. Sadly this is not my excuse for remaining stubbornly crap.

 

[FFAQ]

Just curious. Does anyone make them these days or do you have to obtain one made a hundred years ago?

Mine was made by Johann of Viking Saddlery and is only a few years old.

 

[McFluff]

I got the chance to try through the side saddle association. They were fab, really lovely, had saddles to borrow, great instructor and very supportive. Would definitely do again. But it’s very pricey to set up yourself, as the saddle and fit seem even more challenging than usual!
I was very glad that I had help as it was not as easy as it looked. Especially if your horse is a bit feisty (ie in full on Welsh dragon mode).

 

[Quigleyandme]

Just curious. Does anyone make them these days or do you have to obtain one made a hundred years ago?

Rob Jenkins of Malvern Saddlery makes them and Sarah Parry of A Bit On The Sidesaddle designed and markets the Melody sidesaddle. Johann Uvelde of Viking Saddlery refurbishes, repairs and fits expertly.

 

[cauda equina]

There's this Spanish company, I have absolutely no idea what their saddles are like

Side saddles

Spanish saddles, Portuguese saddle, Dressage saddles, Baroque and Endurance saddles, bridles and tack. Huge range. Saddles made to measure. Driving harness, equestrian equipment. Worldwide delivery.

www.webshop.viva-iberica.com

 

[Cortez]

There's this Spanish company, I have absolutely no idea what their saddles are like

Side saddles

Spanish saddles, Portuguese saddle, Dressage saddles, Baroque and Endurance saddles, bridles and tack. Huge range. Saddles made to measure. Driving harness, equestrian equipment. Worldwide delivery.

www.webshop.viva-iberica.com

Viva Ibérica are a tack shop, not makers. They sell some nice saddles, but Spanish side-saddles are of Doma Vaquera style which are quite different from the English style.