Tell me about side saddle

[Breagha]

Hi all,

I am considering giving side saddle a go with my 7 year old mare. Now the reason for this is I have extremely painful hips which they are thinking is an extra bit of calcified bone which is restricting movement etc (awaiting an orthopaedic appointment). So I have a friend who does side saddle with her gelding coming with her saddle to try on Breagha to make sure she tolerates the "balance strap" is there anything else that I need to do to prepare?

Thanks

 

[lottiepony]

Find out about your 'area' side saddle group, the UK is split up in areas - much like with the riding clubs. http://www.sidesaddleassociation.co.uk/ there's some really good info in the questions part of this site too.
They will be best to help and advise. Have you tried it before yourself? As would suggest that you try it as well either on your friends horse or somewhere that can give side saddle lessons as then you know whether you can tolerate riding like that.
I dabbled briefly with my old mare and thoroughly enjoyed it however could not afford the cost of it all. Defo something that's on my bucket list to try with my current horse but not for a good few years yet!

 

[blitznbobs]

Sidesaddle requires more
Movement of the hips not less in my experience give it a go but I’m doubtful that it will solve your issues

 

[Breagha]

My issue is I have extra bone on the outside of the socket of my hip. So it is painful to wrap my legs around my horse (I still do it) but when i am rising to the trot or cantering it takes the pressure off. I'm sorest at half and walk (very complicated).

My friend is taking her saddle to try on Breagha, her horse is wide but small so wouldnt feel comfortable riding him. There isn't much up here in the way of somewhere to try it so will just have to give it ago on my horse. X

 

[JackInABox]

Your left leg is in pretty much the same position as riding astride so depending on which hip the issue is with riding on the off-side could be more comfortable than a normal side saddle.
The saddle also needs to fit you as well as the horse, so you might find it uncomfortable if your friend's saddle isn't a good fit for you. Most horses take to it quite quickly and easily, lots of people start on their own horse on the horse's first time in a side saddle as there are so few riding schools offering it.
I second the advice to look into the Side Saddle Association, it's a really lovely, helpful, welcoming group of people.

 

[Melody Grey]

Might also be worth an enquiry at your local RC or hunt? Side Saddle riders are relatively few in my area, but those I have met at riding club events or out hunting have been really knowledgeable and eager to share their ideas and might be able to signpost you to local specialists?

....and search for some Facebook groups!!

 

[FFAQ]

I switched to wonky riding about 18 months ago. I found it tricky at first as I have a shire with not much wither so the saddle kept slipping, but it's mostly fine now. I'm in Devon and found the side saddle association to be really friendly and helpful. I've been hiring my saddle for the last 18 months and am only now in a position to buy. It is WAY more expensive than most GP saddles, so best to hire for a while to make sure it really is for you!
Good luck - it's done wonders for my balance!!

 

[Breagha]

Your left leg is in pretty much the same position as riding astride so depending on which hip the issue is with riding on the off-side could be more comfortable than a normal side saddle.
The saddle also needs to fit you as well as the horse, so you might find it uncomfortable if your friend's saddle isn't a good fit for you. Most horses take to it quite quickly and easily, lots of people start on their own horse on the horse's first time in a side saddle as there are so few riding schools offering it.
I second the advice to look into the Side Saddle Association, it's a really lovely, helpful, welcoming group of people.

It's my right hip that is the issue. I've been in touch with someone that does side saddle fitting and although she doesn't have anything to try on my mare, gave me good advice.

Might also be worth an enquiry at your local RC or hunt? Side Saddle riders are relatively few in my area, but those I have met at riding club events or out hunting have been really knowledgeable and eager to share their ideas and might be able to signpost you to local specialists?

....and search for some Facebook groups!!

We don't have a local hunt. I am from Inverness in the Highlands. I only know of one other person that does side saddle and that's whose saddle I'm trying.

I switched to wonky riding about 18 months ago. I found it tricky at first as I have a shire with not much wither so the saddle kept slipping, but it's mostly fine now. I'm in Devon and found the side saddle association to be really friendly and helpful. I've been hiring my saddle for the last 18 months and am only now in a position to buy. It is WAY more expensive than most GP saddles, so best to hire for a while to make sure it really is for you!
Good luck - it's done wonders for my balance!!

Where did you hire from ?

 

[FFAQ]

I hired from Viking saddlery, but side saddles.co.uk do hire them.

 

[Skib]

You ask for reports on side saddle - mine is not so good.
I am not convinced that side saddle will solve your hip problem. But I wish you luck.
I learned to ride as an older woman with lower back problems.
They are not helped by a saddle that restricts my body position or movement. A side saddle holds one into a fixed position. On a side saddle trial, I mounted but only with difficulty and felt so sqeezed into place I dismounted again. It was a disappointment as I am interested in the history of riding.
I hope side saddle solves your problem. However when one has physical limitations (which I do) it does seem to me that it is time to adapt one's riding. There is no obligation to wrap one's legs round the horse, if that hurts you. I dont think I do.
I find the build of the horse matters more than the saddle. One needs to choose a build of horse that minimises one's pain. Many of us hurt more when in walk or halt because there is less therapeutic movement of the tiny muscles that work to mainain our balance. This is not the case, I find, when riding bareback as the slippery body of the horse brings one's balance into play as soon as the horse moves.
Riding side saddle could presumably allow the elderly to continue to ride on wider horses. So it may widen your choice of horse. For me, the choice of horse is the first priority. The horse and saddle need to fit me, like trying on a pair of shoes.

 

[Breagha]

I hired from Viking saddlery, but side saddles.co.uk do hire them.

Thank you - will look into this.

You ask for reports on side saddle - mine is not so good.
I am not convinced that side saddle will solve your hip problem. But I wish you luck.
I learned to ride as an older woman with lower back problems.
They are not helped by a saddle that restricts my body position or movement. A side saddle holds one into a fixed position. On a side saddle trial, I mounted but only with difficulty and felt so sqeezed into place I dismounted again. It was a disappointment as I am interested in the history of riding.
I hope side saddle solves your problem. However when one has physical limitations (which I do) it does seem to me that it is time to adapt one's riding. There is no obligation to wrap one's legs round the horse, if that hurts you. I dont think I do.
I find the build of the horse matters more than the saddle. One needs to choose a build of horse that minimises one's pain. Many of us hurt more when in walk or halt because there is less therapeutic movement of the tiny muscles that work to mainain our balance. This is not the case, I find, when riding bareback as the slippery body of the horse brings one's balance into play as soon as the horse moves.
Riding side saddle could presumably allow the elderly to continue to ride on wider horses. So it may widen your choice of horse. For me, the choice of horse is the first priority. The horse and saddle need to fit me, like trying on a pair of shoes.

I have had my horse since she was a yearling - so changing horse isnt an option for me! I can only but try to see if it helps - dont get me wrong I still ride astride and some days are better than others. My horse is in a native pony xxw saddle which has been widened. I am more comfy on my husbands horse who is chunkier but has a narrower saddle (saddles baffle me sometimes) but he has been out of action with a foot imbalance for a few months - now sound *fingers crossed*

 

[BigGingerMare]

If you possibly can, i would thoroughly recommend finding somewhere to have a couple of lessons on a horse used to the side saddle. Finding a side-saddle to fit your horse sounds like it may be a real challenge, and i found it really helpful to know what a well-fitted and secure side saddle feels like, so that you know what you're looking for. A side saddle that doesn't fit quite properly will never anywhere near as secure, balanced and comfortable.
Personally, i love riding aside - though i'm not doing much at the moment due to saddle fit issues - but every time i come back to it after a break the muscles in my right leg and lower back don't half feel it!
The balance strap shouldn't be an issue, just make sure to start with that it passes through the keeper on the main girth (under the belly) so it can't slip back. (If your girth doesn't have a keeper, don't panic - improvise one for now with a spur strap or similar). And i'm absolutely sure your friend will have this covered, but - please make sure you either have a safety stirrup or a breakaway stirrup attachment on the saddle.
Good luck, and let us know how you get on!

 

[Breagha]

If you possibly can, i would thoroughly recommend finding somewhere to have a couple of lessons on a horse used to the side saddle. Finding a side-saddle to fit your horse sounds like it may be a real challenge, and i found it really helpful to know what a well-fitted and secure side saddle feels like, so that you know what you're looking for. A side saddle that doesn't fit quite properly will never anywhere near as secure, balanced and comfortable.
Personally, i love riding aside - though i'm not doing much at the moment due to saddle fit issues - but every time i come back to it after a break the muscles in my right leg and lower back don't half feel it!
The balance strap shouldn't be an issue, just make sure to start with that it passes through the keeper on the main girth (under the belly) so it can't slip back. (If your girth doesn't have a keeper, don't panic - improvise one for now with a spur strap or similar). And i'm absolutely sure your friend will have this covered, but - please make sure you either have a safety stirrup or a breakaway stirrup attachment on the saddle.
Good luck, and let us know how you get on!

thank you for this advice. There is no where up where I live that does side saddle. I would have to travel further a field. I will maybe see if she will take her horse over and we can make a day of it and poss have a shot of her horse, even for a feel of it.

Safety stirrup is a good shout. Thank you.

 

[Orangehorse]

Or try Western riding?