Side saddle

[only_me]

I've always fancied learning how to ride side saddle, have messed about at home riding one sided on a normal saddle (ie. Dressage or jumping lol) but would like to do it properly.

I've heard people talk about if a horse is suitable or not for side saddle - what attributes does the horse need to be suitable?

I'd love to do it on Billy but he's never done it before and would be a new experience for both of us! But only if he would be suitable. He has a great temperment, eg. Went for a hack today straight from the field and he hasn't been ridden in over 3 weeks at least, but he was fab


So thoughts please!

 

[conniegirl]

A good strong, well sprung back with enough space for a side saddle.
A good willing horse who is quite forwards off your leg and has never shown any propensity for rearing!
Being well schooled will only help the cause

 

[Kat]

Funny my friend and I were talking about giving side saddle a try today! So I would be interested in the answers too!

My girl is a bit short in the back she can only just at a push take a 17.5" saddle - is this likely to be a problem?

 

[only_me]

Would his back be too short? He has a strong back but he is compact for his size & is a narrow/medium ish build. Think both saddles he has are 17.5 and they are fine on him. He is well schooled though and forward off the leg

In his winter woolies

And what he normally is in Summer

 

[emm1s]

Horses often take to side saddle quite easily and if he is well schooled and forward then that definitely helps.
With saddles it can often be more about finding one that fits both horse and rider. So if the horse needs a 16 or 17 inch saddle for example, but you are tall and long legged and ideally need an 18 inch saddle then that can make things tricky. Different makes of saddle come up differently as the vintage ones were often made to fit a specific horse and rider, so it's worth looking around as you never know - the next one you try might be perfect.
Side saddles tend to be slightly different measurement wise to astride. My horse has a MW 17 inch GP but his side saddle is around 16 inches, though still MW. Again this can vary between makes though.
Good luck - it's great fun once you get going.

 

[Makemineacob]

Have a look at the side saddle association website, they can out you in touch with a side saddle instructor in your area and many of them use their own horses to teach on. That way you can see whether it suits you and you will have support from someone with the necessary experience if you decide to try it with your horse. I considered it a while back due to health issues and they were really helpful (I didn't go to have a lesson in the end for various unrelated issues).

 

[JFTDWS]

Funny my friend and I were talking about giving side saddle a try today! So I would be interested in the answers too!

My girl is a bit short in the back she can only just at a push take a 17.5" saddle - is this likely to be a problem?

Me too, actually. But Fergus wears a 17 (actually a 16.75" now) so we're even tighter on that score.