dressagedreamer
Well-Known Member
I fancy having a go but have no idea how to start or where to go to learn. Can anyone give me advice and tell me their thoughts please.
Sidesaddle ....how difficult is it?
- Thread starter dressagedreamer
- Start date
humblepie
Well-Known Member
Try posting in CR if you haven't as there are definitely a couple of side saddle people in there.
I had two lessons and loved it and would love to do more if I could.
There is a side saddle association - not sure of the website.
I had two lessons and loved it and would love to do more if I could.
There is a side saddle association - not sure of the website.
sidesaddlegirl
Well-Known Member
It's one of those things, either you love it and become obsessed by it (i.e. start collecting saddles, etc, etc) or you don't get on with it and hate it.
I only really ride aside now only rarely riding astride if I have to (like hacking to shows or long hacks where I may have to get off). I would go as far to say that I hate riding astride and would not ride at all if I couldn't ride side saddle. I don't like jumping and very rarely did it astride but now I jump 1'9" side saddle and don't feel scared! My horse goes better side saddle and we do Prelim dressage and showing with the odd clear round jumping thrown in.
I would contact the Side Saddle Association as they can give you a list of instructors in your area and let you know of people hiring out side saddles so you can try before making the leap into the "dark side"
You can also check out my blog (the link is on my profile page) as I have a list of side saddlers in the UK as well and you can read about my ups and downs with riding aside too
I only really ride aside now only rarely riding astride if I have to (like hacking to shows or long hacks where I may have to get off). I would go as far to say that I hate riding astride and would not ride at all if I couldn't ride side saddle. I don't like jumping and very rarely did it astride but now I jump 1'9" side saddle and don't feel scared! My horse goes better side saddle and we do Prelim dressage and showing with the odd clear round jumping thrown in.
I would contact the Side Saddle Association as they can give you a list of instructors in your area and let you know of people hiring out side saddles so you can try before making the leap into the "dark side"
You can also check out my blog (the link is on my profile page) as I have a list of side saddlers in the UK as well and you can read about my ups and downs with riding aside too
chestnutmarelover
Well-Known Member
I too have really wanted to try sidesaddle for ages, its just having the spare time to actually DO it!!
dressagedreamer
Well-Known Member
Sidesaddle Girl, do you really feel safe, it looks not so secure, I will go onto the Side Saddle Ass pages to have a look thank you
sidesaddlegirl
Well-Known Member
I find it more secure. Hattie took off early yesterday while jumping and I got thrown up, it was the leaping head that kept me on.
The only bad thing about side saddle, is that when you fall off, you fall hard as you land on your back and/or side due your sideways position. You don't have time to curl up ro try to break your fall. The last time I fell off side saddle was over a 1' jump and I broke a rib, lol.
LOL, not trying to scare you but I feel more confident jumping aside despite having broken a rib in the past, than doing it astride.
The only bad thing about side saddle, is that when you fall off, you fall hard as you land on your back and/or side due your sideways position. You don't have time to curl up ro try to break your fall. The last time I fell off side saddle was over a 1' jump and I broke a rib, lol.
LOL, not trying to scare you but I feel more confident jumping aside despite having broken a rib in the past, than doing it astride.
griffin2727
Active Member
Does anyone know of a mechanical simulator where we can try sidesaddle? If my ancient hips decide to object I would rather not be on a horse!!!
dressagedreamer
Well-Known Member
good idea Griffin.
I dont think I will be doing any jumping, I just fancied another string to my showing bow
I dont think I will be doing any jumping, I just fancied another string to my showing bow
sidesaddlegirl
Well-Known Member
Janet Senior has a side saddle one at Manor Grange Stud. She is a SSA instructor and does saddle fittings as well. http://www.manorgrangestudsc.com/mechorse.asp
sidesaddlegirl
Well-Known Member
good idea Griffin.
I dont think I will be doing any jumping, I just fancied another string to my showing bow
To be fair, although I prefer jumping side saddle to normal saddle, jumping isn't my cup of tea either. I only practise it so I can enter the Riding Club Horse classes where we have to jump one jump. I LOVE showing side saddle though, it's so much fun
horseluver4eva
Well-Known Member
ive never rode side saddle but i have tried. its quite scary to be honest although thats probably because im not used to it. look up tips on google
angel7
Well-Known Member
I would love to try it but have a dreadfully sore back- would it make it better or worse?
Riding astride is a nono due to pressure on my sciatic nerve, but I wonder if the side saddle position would be better?
Does anyone have any experience of this?
Riding astride is a nono due to pressure on my sciatic nerve, but I wonder if the side saddle position would be better?
Does anyone have any experience of this?
Archiepoo
Well-Known Member
well ive just discovered you can do side saddle on the offside! ive got a wonky hip on the right and just assumed i wouldnt be able to do it,im going to find an instructor right now!
Nevergrewup
Well-Known Member
Janet Senior and her simulator (who is called Harry ) are both ace, I recently had an hour long lesson from her as I'm between horses and wanted to ride in my own side saddle and also fix a few minor position problems.
OP - please don't be tempted to either buy a cheap side saddle off ebay or try and learn without an instructor - side saddle is totally addictive and feels very secure once you've got the hang of it but the saddle needs fitting properly and you won't be safe on board until you've established a proper position. Like sidesaddlegirl says, get in touch with the side saddle association for people local to you who can help - we are all organised into regional groups.
http://www.sidesaddleassociation.co.uk/
) are both ace, I recently had an hour long lesson from her as I'm between horses and wanted to ride in my own side saddle and also fix a few minor position problems.OP - please don't be tempted to either buy a cheap side saddle off ebay or try and learn without an instructor - side saddle is totally addictive and feels very secure once you've got the hang of it but the saddle needs fitting properly and you won't be safe on board until you've established a proper position. Like sidesaddlegirl says, get in touch with the side saddle association for people local to you who can help - we are all organised into regional groups.
http://www.sidesaddleassociation.co.uk/
sidesaddlegirl
Well-Known Member
well ive just discovered you can do side saddle on the offside! ive got a wonky hip on the right and just assumed i wouldnt be able to do it,im going to find an instructor right now!
You can do it on the off-side (I have an off-side side saddle due to my bad right hip) but good luck trying to find an off-side as they are very very rare and are VERY expensive when you do find them (like double or triple the price of a normal side saddle). I won't part with mine for the world. Zaldi can make one but I've seen and heard reports of the tree and I'm not totally convinced of the quality.
Archiepoo
Well-Known Member
ok thanks for the info -do you think id need to learn "regular" sidesaddle then and see how i get on? if you have a bad hip and you manage ok then defo worth giving it a go! im really excited!!
sidesaddlegirl
Well-Known Member
You would probably be ok learning on a "normal" (near-side) side saddle. Off-side is best but beggars can't be choosers when there are so few about! One of my friends who runs her own side saddlery is working on getting an affordable off-side side saddle made but it's just getting the prototype made properly so it's still some ways off in the future so watch this space!
I have arthritis in my right hip and it gets stiff, sore and hurty but as long as I'm not in the saddle for hours on end, it's ok. I can handle about 1 hour of aside riding of heavy schooling a day OR a hack, not both, so if I want to hack out after schooling, I need to swap to a normal astride saddle to hack out or school for about 20 minutes and then hack. When my off-side comes back from the saddlers (it's getting new panels put on), then I will be able to school and then hack out.
Side saddle lessons when you are learning, are only about 30 minutes so you should be fine with your hip. It may hurt afterwards but it helps if you do stretches before and after you ride. I forget to do these sometimes and I notice afterwards, lol! Eventually, your hip will be able to stand longer periods aside. I find my hip is best when I'm side saddling everyday.
Despite having a bad right hip, I actually have less problems with it riding side saddle than normal saddle so that says something about it being good for you!
I have arthritis in my right hip and it gets stiff, sore and hurty but as long as I'm not in the saddle for hours on end, it's ok. I can handle about 1 hour of aside riding of heavy schooling a day OR a hack, not both, so if I want to hack out after schooling, I need to swap to a normal astride saddle to hack out or school for about 20 minutes and then hack. When my off-side comes back from the saddlers (it's getting new panels put on), then I will be able to school and then hack out.
Side saddle lessons when you are learning, are only about 30 minutes so you should be fine with your hip. It may hurt afterwards but it helps if you do stretches before and after you ride. I forget to do these sometimes and I notice afterwards, lol! Eventually, your hip will be able to stand longer periods aside. I find my hip is best when I'm side saddling everyday.
Despite having a bad right hip, I actually have less problems with it riding side saddle than normal saddle so that says something about it being good for you!
Archiepoo
Well-Known Member
ooh thats even better i will let you know how i get on. i have a beautiful 16.2hh dapple grey anglo arab who is as sensible as the day is long so ive definately got the right horse for it if i do take to it! i will post a pic of my lesson if i dont look too rediculous! lol x