Side-Saddle Riding 3

by Lindsay Smith

The Rider's Position

From behind, a side-saddle rider should be impossible to tell from an aside rider - she, or he, should sit squarely in the saddle, with the hips square to the horse's hips and shoulders, and the shoulders square to the hips. The rider's back, when the combination is viewed from the side, should be upright, without being stiff in the upper body. The head is held in balance over the neck.

As the rider is sitting approximately 4” higher than when on an astride saddle, the hands are held higher than 'usual' - without looking as if the rider is frantically knitting socks whilst sitting in front of the guillotine!

The right leg is in close contact with the top of the saddle, with the weight concentrated just behind the right knee, so transferring the weight from the hip bones and coxis, towards the centre of gravity of the horse, and so bringing the rider's weight towards where it is when riding astride.

The left leg hangs down from the left hip, with the weight of the leg being supported by the stirrup, rather than pressing down on the iron. Care must be taken to release the left leg from the leaping head - or lower pommel - to avoid cramping the left hip and twisting in the saddle. The rider should be able to slide the left hand between the leaping head and her leg at all times.

Remember, to be secure - right hip back - the shoulders will follow - and left hip forward - and weight into the right knee. Many instructors cry 'right shoulder back', but as those of us who can remember the twist (ooh!, dating, I know!!) know that the shoulders can rotate without the hips, and whilst the shoulders may be in the correct position, the hips remain incorrect. The shoulders can turn without the hips, but seldom do the hips turn without the shoulder following. nce the right hip is allowed to slip forward, the right knee rises from the contact with the saddle and the rider continues to twist round to the left - and out of the saddle.

Artificial Aids - the rigid cane. This is used as a replacement right leg. Some horses accept such an aid quickly, others need to be educated, when, instead of the usual cane normally used by side-saddle rider, a fairly firm schooling whip is used.

When first moving out of halt, it is best to go onto the right rein - or towards the right. Then centrifugal force will help you maintain your position. Even when riding horses in the show-ring when asked to judge - at whatever level, most judges proceed immediately onto the right rein.

For the first few times in the saddle, it is best to remain fairly unadventurous. That being said, I instructed 4 gentlemen riders from the King's Troup one day, and they, who had never sat aside before, were walking, trotting cantering and jumping - from both reins - within a short space of time. But they were exceptional. They were experienced riders, very fit, and very competent with good muscle tone and balance, so could adapt quickly and sympathetically to the side-saddle schoolmaster horses they were riding that day.

Most people are happy if they walk, trot on both reins, and canter on the right rein on the first day. Remember, muscles used are different from those used astride, and will start to protect quickly when first riding aside.

This is why many of us give only a 30 minute riding lesson for novice side-saddle riders. It is usual to be within a 60 minute lesson, as the explanation of the fitting of the saddle and demonstration of the position takes time to ensure proper understanding. As with novice horses, and feeding all horses - little and often.

There is a cry - side-saddles ruins horses backs. Well of course if the saddle doesn't fit correctly - or the rider is sitting crookedly. There is no reason, providing care is taken over the fit, flocking and condition of the saddle and the straightness of the rider. BUT - it has to be admitted, there are a great many crooked riders out there - aside and astride!

How long will it take to learn to ride aside properly - again the answer is variable. It depends greatly upon how experienced a rider the individual is, conversely, someone who has never ridden at all find it easier to accomplish the art than a novice rider. It must be remembered, that a competent or novice astride rider will soon achieve the same standard aside. Again, to improve takes work.

Cost - yes, the cost of riding aside is expensive. But then, so is any form of riding. Costs are increased if side-saddle is a second 'string' to a rider's expertise - as is the additional cost of concentrating on dressage, show jumping, eventing western riding or driving.

In England, there are possibilities of hiring side-saddles - either for a season, or some ''stable' of saddles with which they use for teaching purposes. I would advise any rider wishing to try this elegant and exciting form of riding to hire a saddle - from a reputable person - first before going to the expense of buying. The cost ranging from (rarely) £400 to £3,000. The most popular saddle, and so the most expensive, is the wide, 15 1/2” to 16”. Having said that, good, 'modern' side-saddles for smaller people are about as rare as hen's teeth. The best advice is - ask around from those who fit side-saddles successfully and well. Most side-saddles on the market are second hand. The modern ones made today are still undergoing tests, but are available. They range from £950, and can be synthetic, to £3,000. But do not be put off, not all saddles are that costly.

It is doubtful you will need a habit straight away. Again, quality, second hand ones are often found. I will talk about habit and turn-out later.

So, have a go, try riding side-saddle. It is an enjoyable method of riding which is gaining in popularity every year, all over the world.

If you'd like to know more about side-saddle please add a comment below and we'll see what areas you are interested in or questions you have and we'll try to cover those in future articles.

New Articles:

1. Condition and fitting of side-saddles.
2. Side-saddle and disabled riders.

Comments

If you have a specific tip, experience or comment relevant to this article please post a comment below. We are unable to answer individual questions through the comments system. The New Rider Message Board is a better place to post specific questions.

Tanya   11th Jan 02 I was exposed to side saddle in college, in our summer internship we spent one lesson just trying out side saddle. it was neet and I learned a lot. being a country cowgirl to the bone, I resisted side saddle at first, but now I'm curious. With my instructor turned imployer pruchasing a side saddle, I volentered my stocky quiet quarter horse as her horse to exparament on. Though he's never done any real side saddle, I have ridden him bareback side saddle on a dare and he respons nicely and doesn't seem to mind. He has smoth gates and defined withers. But he is a wide tree to the bone, he's 15hh and 1275 lbs of old style buldog type quarterhorses, and I worry about fiting the saddle to him. How do I know if the saddle fits him or not? and for pleasure riding only, can a highdensity pad be used under the side saddle to help protect his back. Another question is, some peole say that the new side saddles are built on regular trees and cause more problems fiting and balance wise because of this, do you find this to be true or just a rumer? our instructor positioned the back girth (sorry, I don't know the terminology) like that of a western back cinch, but you have yours where the natural girth goes, is there a difference in saddles or is it a personal preference. Also, being that we live in a more back country seting, are there side saddle catologs that we can get to purchase special girths and stirrups through the mail? I would love it if you could do more articls on side saddle so taht I can help my instructor. Lillian   15th Jan 02 Very nicely done and informative pages on sidesaddle. One other reason you don't mention for riding sidesaddle is, the handicapped rider. Many people who have injuries, ride sidesaddle as that is the only way the can ride at all. I will add you site to my list of favorites. Anne   16th Jan 02 Most informative, I appreciated your attention to the importance of correct saddle fitting! Perhaps a series of articles could follow a new side saddle riders progress over the first few weeks? I also noticed you did not mention SS riding as a recuperative therapy, some folks with knee surgery I know can only ride aside, and there are riders with other handicaps too. Lindsay Smith   20th Jan 02 Thank you for your comments, they are much appreciated, and further articles are in preparation. I am glad you wish for futher details on the fitting - watch this space! You have given me the excuse to develope the advantages of side-saddle for some handicaped riders - or none riders who wish to take up the sport! Again - watch this space!! Rather than answering your questions, only to repeat myself later, I will just comment that Tanya's horse seems a darling - enjoy him. Yes, I will cover more of the various parts of the side-saddle and the differences between the Western and English styles of saddles. I will also show the differences between the trees of 'old' saddles and modern ones. It is usually the saddles of the mid to late 1800's where astride trees were adapted for side-saddle - as Horatia Nelson's side-saddle was from her father's. I will talk about the advantages and disadvantages later - and have photographs. I look forward to hearing from you again. Happy riding. Lindsay Lindsay Sauerwein   22nd Jan 02 Do you have any American contancts who I might be able to purchase a sidesaddle from or do you know of any catalogues? I am looking to fit an Arabian who is 15.1H and I am 5ft 4. I appreciate the information that your website gives about riding sidesaddle. I hope to learn it as soon as possible. Rhonda Watts   12th Feb 02 What a delight to come upon a friend unexpectedly! A lovely website which I will be sure to pass along to others. Ronda   13th Feb 02 Hello, I am Tonya's instructor from the beginning as well as her employer. My question is if I send pictures of the new side-saddle you could help me identify its age and worth. I have not found any articles pertaining to the lengh of the left stirrup and leg positioning. The saddle has a western stirrup and uses a western girth. The saddle padding is stuffed with horse hair. It has a pouch on the right side and a belly strap. The saddle is in excellant condition. Is there anywhere I can research on western and english side-saddle, especially the differencs in bridle and habit. Thank you for your time. Jacqui Illa   15th Feb 02 I am an Australian sidesaddle rider intersted in learning more. I will be spending a week in the UK in January 03, after 3 weeks in Germany with a friend training in dressage(school holidays here in Australia and I am a school teacher). I was wandering if anyone could forward me some contacts of sidesaddle instructors as I was hoping to have a few lessons when I am there. Please contact me via my email address jac4377@yahoo.com if you can at all help me out. Happy Riding All Jacqui vicky savage   18th Feb 02 where do i go to buy side saddle outfit for myself i live in Leeds west yorks. Tjitske   23rd Feb 02 Hi ladies! Does anybody know a home-page devoted to WESTERN SIDESADDLE RIDING? There are a few pages on what the saddle looks like, and what you should wear,but I can't find anything on events/classes/written info on 'how it's done' etc. I'm going to lay my hands on a saddle that's in need of a saddlemaker's attention, but it kinda looks like I'm the first girl in the Netherlands who's gonna give it a try: a western lady on an Alp-Quarter (Haflinger).... lindsay Smith   3rd Mar 02 Hi Vicky, I suggest you contact your Area Side-Saddle Committee Chairman, Miss Linda Cadman, on 0161 620 2379. She will have an up-to-date list of habit outlets. She may also have a second- hand list. Failing that, contact Midlands Side-Saddle: 01926 640370. You may wish to contact Liz Gatrner, who makes made-tomeasure habits etc.: 0115 917 1178. Lindsay Smith   3rd Mar 02 Regarding the Western side-saddle, although I have a basic idea of the methods, as Rhonda has found this page, and, knowing Rhonda well, and know she has a wealth of knowldge of English and Western side-saddle riding - competing in Western competitions - I suggest she is the lady you contact regarding Western questions. Happy riding, Lindsay sidesaddle   26th Mar 02 Hello Lyndsay You haven't mentioned the contact address for the Side Saddle Association and as the Honorary Secretary I feel I should add it now. If anybody requires any information from me or an application form to join the Side Saddle Association I can be contacted as below; Mrs Sandra Higgins Honorary Secretary The Side Saddle Association Woodlands Broadbury Okehampton Devon EX20 4NH England. 01837 871313 email HonSec@thessa.freeserve.co.uk And yes it is me and my saddle in the pictures accompanying Lindsay's article. They were taken at Heather's place at the first New Rider Seminar on one of Heather's horses. Rhonda Watts   4th Apr 02 (message for Tjitske) Have patience--I'm about halfway through a book on western side-saddle. Even in the U.S, there has been no complete book on western side-saddle, so it seemed the right time. When it does come out, it will be distributed through ISSO (www.sidesaddle.com) Rhonda Cathy   23rd Apr 02 If anyone has web sites for western sidesaddle, I'd be interested .. SO far I have found a couple (e.g. Lillian Chaudhary and Hundred Oaks). Are there any more ? Rhonda   6th May 02 Cathy, the Austrian group now has a western page! Go to http://www.damensattel.at/ and then click the button on the left for WESTERN. Also--the book on western side-saddle is now complete but for illustrations. We should have it published in the summer so that it will be available at the RideAside 2002 at the Kentucky Horse Park in October. (I'd love to bring some along when I'm over to England in the summer, but I don't know if I can draw that fast...) Rhonda Lisa   8th Jun 02 Hi im 12 an ive never really saw what side saddle looks like (now i have thanx to new rider!) but i was a little shocked. doesnt this hurt or put strain on one side on the horse??? Jane   25th Jun 02 Brilliant site Diane   19th Jul 02 Lisa,8th June, 02: if you read the afore-going carefully you will see reference to the fitting of the saddle so that it doesn't hurt the horse. I did a 14 mile sponsored ride in side saddle on my 16hh Irish hunter-type gelding and he came through it quite unscathed - no sores or tender parts on his back or girth area at all. I must stress that I have the side saddler visit to re-fit the saddle about twice a year to make sure it remains comfy and safe for both my horse and I. It largely depends on your "seat" and the fit of the saddle. Do have a go. You don't have to compete - my horse and I are just "happy hackers". One thing I would say, particularly to nervous riders, you feel so very safe. I've had an 18hh horse really go to town on his bucking but he hadn't a chance of unseating me side saddle whereas astride I'd have been off with the first lurch! My grandfather used to school very badly behaved horses in side saddle for that very reason. Tina Webb   8th Aug 02 Brilliant website! I have ridden for 30 of my 44 years, but unfortunately, due to arthritis (I am awaiting a double hip-replacement)haven't ridden for 4 years now.I am desperate to get on a horse again and am fairly certain that I have the range of movement required to ride sidesaddle.My husband is learning to ride and we hope to get a horse in a year or so.You mentioned the option of hiring a saddle - where from?This is something I have thought about for some time now and am eager to find out more. Diane   8th Aug 02 There are a number of people who hire out side saddles. Contact the Side Saddle Association who will also send you a list of qualified instructors. Before I had my own horse I had to do a 150 mile round trip for my lessons to find an instructress who had horses. Don't know if I'm allowed to do this but I can recommend Christine Pollitt of Wrea Green Equitation Centre between Blackpool and Preston, Lancashire. She is an excellent teacher for the whole age-range and has well-schooled horses for you to learn on. She is also a Side Saddle Association Judge. It's well worth your while arranging to spend a few days taking a course of lessons. There's plenty of reasonable priced accommodation around the area. Do have a go and I hope you enjoy it. Diane matthews   30th Sep 02 re sidesaddle riding has anyone out there got a period costume size 10 that they would like to hire or sell Allison Crews   23rd Oct 02 What fun to read about all this from you. You can get great information on English and Western sidesaddle riding at Hundred Oaks - their website is:http://hometown.aol.com/sidesadl/sidesaddles.html Hope that helps! I've been foxhunting aside for two years - just for the glory of it. Everyone thinks I'm so very daring. I do it purely to be a ham! Too fun - Need some advice on being graceful over large jumps - having some difficulty. Can anyone help? To me, large is 3 - 3 1/2 foot jumps. aimee   4th Nov 02 i would be interested in learning to ride sidesaddle as i have enjoyed watching classes at shows i attended. As i am interested in showing and own a fell pony i was wondering if there are classes for mountain and moorland ponies. I was also wondering if you could let me know of any contacts in the manchester area where you can learn to ride sidesaddle? Mata   8th Nov 02 This text is very informative about ride in side saddle. I am happy from every information about practice and histori ride side saddle and costume. I am thank you for publication on Internet. I am do like too ride side saddle. I am live in The Czech republic - a small country with rich history located in the heart of Europe. The capital of Czech republic is Prague. We are interested in side saddles, their history and side saddle riding. http://ds.bluefish.cz Rhonda Watts   12th Nov 02 Hello, all-- Earlier in the year I mentioned that there would be a book our on western side-saddle... Well, it's now a fact! THE WESTERN SIDE-SADDLE was introduced at RideAside 2002 in Kentucky in October. It will be sold by ISSO at the website, www.sidesaddle.com. The first lot printed did have some errata, which we wanted to fix before offering it on the website, so you may not see it there quite yet--but it's a reality! Rhonda kimberley woodley-hinds   28th Dec 02 please help i need to get a full rig out for side-saddle hunter classes for this coming season i am located in the durham area and have a 17.2hh cleveland bayx 4 year old i am planning on competing in the hunter classes and working hunter classes WHAT DO I NEED AND WHERE DO I GET IT FROM AND HOW MUCH WILL I PAY? THANKYOU FOR YOUR HELP beryl stevenson   14th Jan 03 is there an article showing how to mount when riding side saddle ? thanks Katie   17th Jan 03 I have an old side-saddle that would have been purchased through a catalog in the 1860s-1880s. It doesn't have a jumping horn or a flat seat and pushes the riders weight backwards. How can I find my balance and should I look towards buying a more up to date saddle. Thanks for your help! :) Lynn   21st Jan 03 I am having difficulty in hiring a period costume for my 5ft6" tall size 14 aged 14 year old daughter. She just wont stop growing!! We used to hire from a lovely lady called Dolores Craven but Charlie has become too tall for all her costumes!!! Not only that but as a junior she must were a BS approved riding hat so finding a costume that looks right is not easy. OBviously the hat can be covered but finding the right thing is virtually impossible. She has shown at Cheshire county and wishes to do so again this year and would really need the costume for the season. I am loathed to have onw made at the moment owing toher rate of growth!! Any ideas! Linda Cadman put me in touch with Dolores originally so we are out of ideas!!!! Regards Lynn. mary   25th Jan 03 I have a Champion-wilton. The tree has a number '48 on the underside. 1948 or 1848? I was told that the Champion Factory was destroyed in WWII so it must be 1848???? Can you shed any light on this? Thanks, Mary Newman Oregon, USA Tim   11th Feb 03 I was just wondering of the possibilities of men riding side saddle. I have read lots of history on the subject, and it seems men used to, and in doing so, helped to improve them. It seems a shame that it has become thought of as women-only. Diane Chew   28th Mar 03 Lynne - try Penny Housden of Side Saddle Lady. (Look her up on Google) She does a range of tailoring and dress-making patterns for modern and historical costumes for side saddle. They look to be within the capabilities of a good home-dressmaker or you could have them made professionally. Diane Chew   28th Mar 03 Tim - When my mother was a child in the 1920s and '30s she knew a man who hunted side saddle, having been badly wounded in the 1914-18 war and unable to ride astride. Grooms often used side saddles when schooling difficult horses as it was harder for the horse to un-ship a rider on a side saddle. Ladies' horses were schooled in side saddle by both men and women. More up to date, we have a male rider who has just taken his Side Saddle Association Grade Tests in Area 3. Lillian Chaudhary   29th Mar 03 It has been some time since I visited this site. I am glad to see so much interest. This is for Mary Newman Oregon USA. Yes the Champion & Wilton sidesaddle were still being made after the war. Few but still available. The 48 could mean many things. It could have been a catalog number. In 1848 the Cutback "modern" sidesaddles were not yet designed. Giddens in London had bought out Champion & Wilton and sorry to say they have shut down as a business recently. The site for the British sidesaddle group has a historian who has listed some history on the C&W saddlery. It is at S.S.A. Perhaps there is a link on this site to it. Mayhew patented their Lisadelle model in 1892 and I have a copy of the Patent. It was THE saddle to own back then. I was just there in Oregon for the Horse Expo in Albany. Wish I had seen this post before I went. I would have loved to meet you. We had a booth there for sidesaddle and did some demos and such. I have a sidesaddle here that looks like a Champion & Wilton but has no name on it anywhere. So I assume it is a "knock off" or a copy of the C&W. It is narrow for a definite Thoroughbred type. So it will be a while before I rework it. There is less demand here for the narrower saddles. Kind regards, Lillian lucinda Dalton   12th Apr 03 I was just wondering where a good place or person to hire a hunting habit is. I live in gloucestershire and am willing to travel. I am 5"5' and about size 14-16. any information would be greatly appreciated. Kristina Brown-Needham   21st Apr 03 Hi, i just wondered, when riding side-saddle what supports the riders right leg? Is it the fixed head or leaping head?

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