I had a go at that years ago. It is surprisingly secure. You can't really come off. Your lrgs are kind of anchored in, I loved it. Didn't get dressed up though.
You want to have a word with sidesaddlegirl - she does the whole works - I'm sure she will be able to give you some good pointers on how to go about it.
the expense i could do without! but all lessons are pricey these days
but have had a look at some sidesaddles on t'internet and it does look cheaper to buy a horse to go with a saddle than to get a saddle to go with a horse!
Some of the instructors will have a saddle you can try on, thats how I first did it.
If you look on the sidesaddle association website there is a whole host of information. http://www.sidesaddleassociation.co.uk/index.htm
"you and your equine friend will feel elegant, poised and special!"...
mm, not sure anything bar a whole body transplant will make me elegant and poised, lol
Q. how do you get over only having one leg to use?
You don't even need your own side saddle as they will be bringing a load for those who don't have any. My saddle is away so I'm going to probably borrow one for Hattie too.
the horses have never had sidesaddles on, do they take to it ok usually? whats a good sidesaddle horse? ive some anglos with good withers but one i just broke so would it be too soon for a young horse to switch saddles?
ive another horse which i dont think would be suitable because when she gets upset she rears into bucks/broncs, from what ive read i shouldnt use her, but other articles say its good for difficult animals and oldtime grooms used to ride headcases in s-saddles to stay on...confused
Re: only one leg - you use a long dressage-style stick as your 'second' leg. Amputee soldiers used to ride to the side a lot I'm told when they really only had one leg!
I'm pretty sure that there are Have a Go days all over the country but you'd need to contact the Side Saddle Association and then they'd give you the contact details of the SSA person responsible for your area. They'd know of any Have a Go Days.
Hattie had never been ridden side saddle and then i put my saddle on her for a bit (it was too narrow which is why it's away at the saddlers getting a wykham pad put on to make it wider) and she did wonder where my right leg was but eventually got the idea.
Having a horse with decent withers is always handy, extra wide low withered cobs tend not to hold the saddles too well so you'll need to fork out for a custom saddle if you have a cob. I'm not a brave rider so I personally would only ride safe sensible horses side saddle (or astride for that matter!). I'd never consider riding any horse side saddle that was a rearer, a death wish if you ask me!
thats what i thought about the withers, have one with no withers and is bad enough with a regular saddle so i said never again, only horses with actual withers from now on.
and thats what i thought about my mental, wouldnt want to try her, just these articles wetre saying ss was used in the old days for mentals