Sidesaddle riders - I have a question!

[Trish C]

**Disclaimer - this question is spawned of genuine curiosity, not out of any negativity towards sidesaddle riding! I am not trying to imply anything nor be derogatory about it. In fact, I am in awe of sidesaddle and would love to try it.**

Does side-saddle work have any physical implications for the horse, especially on their back? (Not neccessarily negative, I just mean does it require different physical qualities/strengths from the horse?) Is the weight distribution of the saddle/rider greatly different to 'astride' riding, do you have to balance youself differently to compensate? Does it effect their flexion, given that you're 'missing a leg' on one side, if you know what I mean?


As I said, I am not implying anything at all, just very curious... I think sidesaddle looks amazing, really hope to have the opportunity to have a go some day!

 

[Rosie Round The Hills]

I'm an amateur ss rider, so I'll answer to the best of my abilities, and I'm sure someone else wills step in.

The riders weight must remain central, as if riding astride. Sitting correctly (ie straight up without tilting) will ensure this is the case. I don't think the weight of the legs compared to weight of the torso and head of the rider is significant enough to affect the horse.

The weight of the rider is slightly further back than when riding astride, so when introducing a horse to ss (or just bringing an experienced ss horse back in to ss work), it is important (and only fair to the horse) to work up gradually with a little bit each day at first, then building up so that the horse builds up the strength in the right place. A horse that works in an outline already, with the correct muscles built up through good flat work will find carrying a side saddle much easier than a poorly muscled horse.

No, it shouldn't affect their flexion. The rider holds a cane which takes the place of the right leg for flat work.

Umm, what else. Slight or subtle shifts in weight for fancy-pants dressage moves (can you guess I'm not a dressage rider?) are just as workable and the horse should be able to recognise and respond in just the same way.

Hope that answers some of your questions. It's great fun, super-elegant, and you should give it a go

 

[BringoutheBest]

From what I have heard, as with astride riding, if you do not want your horses back to suffer you must ride straight
I am guessing it may be harder to ride straight in a side saddle, but nevertheless, that is the correct position. So a wonky rider astride could cause as much damage as a wonky rider aside ( and a lot more than a straight rider aside!)
That's what I've heard anyway, not that I really have much clue!

 

[Gingerwitch]

A horse with a high wither is best for side saddle - and you never ever want to be on a rearer - you cant get off !

It depends on the type of saddle - most side saddles were originally made to fit the "lady" -and be able to fit many different horses but whilst there are a lot of antique saddles about, they can hide some nasty secrets.

Again if you are going to try side saddle - do it under instruction first, and as someone else has said do it slowly. The weight of the saddle is quite heavy compared to an astride saddle.

 

[sidesaddlegirl]

Side saddle riding will not injure or impede the horse, even with a beginner learning to ride, if a proper fitted saddle is used. Those cheap pieces of cr*p saddles from India you see on ebay all the time (there is one on ebay at the moment that is particulary disturbing), WILL injure the horse as they are made on astride trees, balanced incorrectly and are just generally poorly made so that the rider cannot sit correctly- only crookedly.

I prefer riding side saddle to astride as I can feel what Hattie is doing better and even jumping, for me, has become easier than jumping astride. I find I can regulate her strides better and not get left behind as I can feel when she starts to gather up. Even though I have only ridden side saddle for a few years now, I actually ride better aside than I do astride (even though I began riding when I was a kid!). I rarely ride astride now except if I'm hacking somewhere far (like to a show so I can save my scrubbed up side saddle for showing) or unknown in case I have to get off and open gates, etc.

Hattie prefers side saddle too even though before I got her, she had never done it before. Hattie took to it like an old pro. She likes my off-side side saddle even better as then I ride off my good- non stiff hip. Regardless of which side I ride on, she goes equally as well.

The main thing with side saddle, is the fit of the saddle though.

 

[sidesaddlegirl]

A horse with a high wither is best for side saddle - and you never ever want to be on a rearer - you cant get off !

I can attest to that! I forgot to do up the girth on my off-side side saddle and went cantering out on a hack, trotted through the ford river and back again only to get back home and see my girth looped loosely around Hattie!!! Glad she is a high withered TB!!

 

[sheep]

Having read this.. I really want to try it.

Trish, is there anywhere in NI/ Ireland that does sidesaddle lessons?

 

[Deefa]

I have a Welsh D i do SS on, and he doesn't have much wither so i used a grip pad as an extra safety net lol!
Personally i wouldn't use a side saddle on a horse which has not got a decent amount of muscle or a young horse, the lady who got me into it wont put a SS on anything under 6.

 

[Trish C]

Thanks for all the answers, very interesting All makes sense and sounds brilliant.

I have no current plans to try my own boy SS (we have enough issues to work through with astride... maybe in a few years, he's a big strong fell and has a lovely high wither), but would love to try it on an established horse!

Sheep - I don't know, but I'm going to look into it You'd better get yourself back over here if I find somewhere - safety in numbers and all that!

ETA - are there any sidesaddle organisations through whom it would be possible to find lessons?

*pootles off to google*

 

[SusannaF]

I had one lesson and was hooked. The instructor said that you either want to use a horse with which you have a strong bond OR use a horse that is used to side saddle. It's really fascinating - makes you rethink so much of how you ride, even astride.