Side Saddle Lessons. Arthiritis Etc

[Tinker_Belle]

I'm due to have knee surgery quite soon & just wanted to know thoughts/experiences of side saddle riding?

I've heard it is supposed to be good for those who have joint problems or struggle riding astride.

Also, who would you recommend for lessons in the Gloucs/Chelt area? I wouldn't be able to use my horse as she is quite fizzy so would need to have horses available for use.

Thanks in advance!!

 

[spitchwick]

Google in the Side Saddle association, and it should be able to tell you your nearest group. They also hire out saddles, so you should be able to try one.

 

[YorksG]

The other thing that may be worth a try after surgery is to try lessons on a mechanical horse, my sister has been doing this after breaking her ankle and having it pinned last May. She says it has been very useful and is now back riding her flesh and blood mare.

 

[custard]

Depends which knee really! Whilst your left leg is in more or less the same position as normal and fairly passive the right leg has to work quite hard to keep you on board. My advice would be to have a lesson or two before surgery if you can to see how you'd feel. Not sure of where you would go but you are not all that far from Pittern Hill, a really well known school which teaches side saddle in the Stratford/Warwick area.

 

[ironhorse]

Yes, defo try Pittern Hill, although Roger Philpot will be away for a couple of months from the end of April. Pitterh Hill is less than an hour from Cheltenham.

Even if it's your right knee, side saddle could be a lot more comfortable than astride, but you need to take it steady and build up the muscles by having regular lessons. Also if you get keen enough to buy/hire a saddle you need one with nice broad, well padded pommels if you've got a dodgy knee.

 

[Tinker_Belle]

Thanks guys.

Well, it would be both knees & I obviously wouldn't be trying for about 6 months as physio will be needed etc & by that time my knees should be back to normal.

Not really possible to have a lesson beforehand as I don't think my knees would hold out!

 

[help1]

If you are looking for side saddle lessons in Glos Chelt area try Talland near Cirencester.

 

[Meadon]

Hello! I find riding side saddle much better because I had a horse squash me a few years ago. My left leg really struggles riding astride but I find it much easier with a side saddle. Agree with Ironhorse over well padded pommels, mine are quite narrow and I don't feel it's supports my leg as much and makes me twist in slightly.

A friend of mine suggested I contacted Riding for the Disabled when I was having problems with my leg. Although I hated to admit I had a problem I had a couple of private lessons just for the instructor to give me some advice and things to work on with my own horse. Good luck with the operation!