Side-Saddle Riding

by Lindsay Smith

On occasions, I am told by riders or their helpers, that 'Suzie Wong' - or her male counterpart - used to ride before she had an accident, or she would love to ride but finds the 'normal' way to ride is impossible. When I put to them there is another way, sometimes they immediately want to have a go, or it may take some persuasion - or their physiotherapist may wish to meet and discuss. Their attitudes may range from keen enthusiasm to suspicious scepticism in need of gentle, persuasion - to an open mind, of course!

The questions which need answering:-

1	is the disability a lifelong problem or resulting from an accident?
2	did the individual ride at any time 'before'?
3	has the individual ever ridden side-saddle, and if so, what sort of experience have they had?
4	type of disability
5	extent of problem, concentrated to one part of the body, and, importantly, which part of the body is effected.
6	is riding and/or the method of riding liable to cause adverse effect on the rider's physical and/or mental well-being.

CONSULT AND WORK WITH THE RIDER'S MEDICAL ADVISER AND PHYSIOTHERAPIST.

The rider's abilities has to be taken into careful consideration at all times, and whilst all riding instructors SHOULD have a good working knowledge of human and equine bodies, a regrettable number do not, to the detriment of able bodied riders, meaning much damage may be done unnecessarily.

This raises further questions:-

1	how conversant is the relevant physio with riding and different methods, modes and benefits of riding - with and without saddles?
2	does he/she have access to or knowledge of current riding practices for RDA and related riders?
3	how sympathetic is the physio to horses and riding side-saddle - some are very antifundamental aspects of riding aside at least, so they know how to assist 'their' rider's body sympathetically and towards the correct (and safest) position.

I know of several riders with sight impediments who find riding side-saddle is greatly more agreeable over riding on astride saddles. Again, it is the additional security offered by this form of saddle. Several hunt and jump - show jumping and cross-country - in fact, Martin Ross (the other half of the famous Somerville and Ross partnership) hunted in Ireland regularly, any type of horse - often ones scorned by fully sighted riders - across varied and difficult terrain, several days a week - WITHOUT A PILOT - with many of her friends and the field having no idea she was partially sighted. Yes, she took some bad falls, but no worse than sighted riders. She knew her country.

Nowadays, it is possible to have a receiver concealed on the person, with a commentary from a sighted rider, who indicates obstacles and field boundaries or other hazards - jumpable or live! .

Other aids for able and disable bodied riders:

Check:

With much care and attention to detail, disabled riders and their medical assistants and specialists, are finding side-saddle riding beneficial to them. Side-saddle give much more support and security to a rider, meaning those who may find riding astride difficult and are unstable in the saddle, are able to ride more independently aside, giving confidence and a sense of achievement to the individual.