Side saddle

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FFAQ

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Hi!

Does anyone on here ride side saddle? I have a medical condition that makes astride riding increasingly difficult and am trying to book a lesson with a side saddle instructor.

I would be grateful for any tips/recommendations for the start of my journey. I have 2 cobs and a shire and have recently got into dressage since discovering an amazing philipe Karl instructor and would be gutted to have to stop riding so I want to give this the best chance possible!
 
There is a side saddle association, so they would have a list of instructors. I think (not 100% sure) that you are allowed to take part in dressage side saddle - and of course you can go point to pointing!
 
I had a bad accident years ago and have a hip issue where one side of my body doesnt really work, and i found side saddle much much easier. I rode much better and horse went better. The only thing is there is a strong twist to one side, so would your medical issue make twisting an issue?
 
Thanks paddi22! No, the twist wouldn't be an issue - it's more my lady parts that suffer (blush)! How did you get on with saddle fitting? Also, I read that posting is the equivalent of rising trot. My current instructor was dubious about side saddle as she says you can't do rising trot and that sitting trot for a long time is hard on the horses back.
 
trot wise, i just did sitting trot and found it fairly comfy once i got used to it. My lad is awkward shaped but found a saddle fairly easily. I wouldn't be the best at sitting trot astride, but i found the side saddle sitting trot fairly comfy and my horse actually went really well in it, and he is the kind that is very sensitive and will tell you if something is wrong!
 
That sounds good! I have ordered a couple of books and sent an email to a place that hires side saddles. Do you mind telling me how you went about getting your saddle? Was it by recommendation or pot luck off eBay? Are there any fitters? Any other 'side saddle for dummies' tips?!
 
I just used the ones they gave out at the clinics, i couldn't justify buying one as my main thing is eventing and I burn enough money there! But I found the side saddle very addictive, its so much fun

Friends have bought saddles off ebay and stuff, but they got advice on fitting them from side saddle experts. We found a local group on facebook who we did clinics with, so hopefully there is one in your area! Any of the people i met were so helpful and keen to spread the hobby.
 
Look up Roger Philpot on facebook and see if it is possible to get some lessons from him if you are within travel distance of him.
 
BD allow you to ride aside, so you should be fine for dressage.

Also, you absolutely can do rising trot in a side-saddle. It's a bit weird, and 99% of instructors won't teach you how unless you specifically ask because you don't do it in the show ring (tbh it's not really necessary unless you want to hunt), but not actually that hard once you get the hang of it. You have to lean forward a little, so you may find it easier to try out on an uphill slope at first, and it's a sort of rocking motion along the right thigh. Don't let your right shoulder sneak in front of your left one, and don't exaggerate the movement, and you'll get a feel for it fairly quickly.
 
Make sure a sidesaddle is correctly fitted to your horse as side saddles are by their nature unbalanced and can cause significant back damage to horses. The side saddle association has details about fitters and instructors.
 
Well I had my 1st side saddle lesson on Friday and it was great fun! I realised very quickly that I need to start doing yoga again though! I've booked another lesson in 3 weeks 😁
 
Sounds like fun! Nothing useful to add but I sometimes see pics on a clydesdale facebook page of someone who shows her Clyde under side saddle and has won a couple of concurs classes with her, so your shire should be fine!
 
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