Thinking about SideSaddle

[QueenofCamelot]

Hi Horsey folk!

I am thinking of trying something new! me and my horse are adventurous :D

Ive been there and done that with the jumping and the eventing and the dressage and the bla bla - not going to be an olympian at it either....so time for a change!

So all you sidesaddle experts! throw me some wisdom. :cool: [/SIZE]

[Wally]

Buy the best possible saddle you can buy, NEVER buyu a black one, they will have been made in a workshop where the science and skill behind side saddle isn't fully understood.

There were no black side saddles made by any of the well known,"BEST" English side saddle makers.

If you can get one made by Whippy, Mayhew, Champion & Wilton etc, they are reputed to be the best.

Make sure whatever make you get the seat is totally flat, any dip will give you and the horse a sore back.

Get some lessons from an experienced rider aside.

Make sure the saddle fits you as well as the horse, it's no good if you are 5 feet nothing trying to ride in an 18 inch saddle unless your legs make up 90% of your height.

The saddle MUST be stuffed properly, it's no good getting a ordinary saddler to stuff it like an astride saddle, there must be more flock in the left panel.

If you have a really wide horse you can drop out the stuffed panel and use a Wykham pad which is thick felt, shaped specially to fit on a side saddle with a wide horse.

Think all the time, right shoulder back, right heel to left shin and tall and elegant. Keep your hands low, you'll need longer reins than you have astride as your hands will be much lower and farther back. Keep the loose ends of the reins to the right so they don't get hooked on the pommels.

Have fun, it's a great way to ride.

[sidesaddlelady1]

Hi Horsey folk!

I am thinking of trying something new! me and my horse are adventurous :D

Ive been there and done that with the jumping and the eventing and the dressage and the bla bla - not going to be an olympian at it either....so time for a change!

So all you sidesaddle experts! throw me some wisdom. :cool: [/SIZE]

Worth trying to hire in the first place and do not touch anything made in India, Pakistan, or China or for sale on Ebay, etc. Don't buy a side saddle without someone to advise you. Best to start off in an "english" side saddle as western s'saddles are different. If you google "side saddle" in any of its spellings you should find a number of SS organisations in USA. I'll have a look in my handbook for info and get back to you.

[sidesaddlelady1]

Hi Horsey folk!

I am thinking of trying something new! me and my horse are adventurous :D

Ive been there and done that with the jumping and the eventing and the dressage and the bla bla - not going to be an olympian at it either....so time for a change!

So all you sidesaddle experts! throw me some wisdom. :cool: [/SIZE]

Try this - the International Side Saddle Organisation - based in USA

Http://www.sidesaddle.com/

PM me if you want any further info

[Pickles]

SS Lady, just wondering why you say don't touch ebay side saddles? There do seem to be c&w, mayhew etc saddles going through cheaply..

I think it's a great idea to try something new, but I don't think its a great idea to have an inexperienced side saddle rider trying to teach a horse to be ridden in a side saddle for the first time.

I had my first few lessons on a retired police horse who had been ridden side saddle for several years, he was steady and knew his job, but I have to admit I found it totally different to normal riding. It took a couple of months of regular lessons before I could walk trot canter, and I still need help from an instructor to make sure I am sitting level.

[Wally]

You do need lessons to get it right, but if you can already ride there is little stopping you introducing your horse to a side saddle. I have never had any sensible riding horse object to the side saddle, they might flick their ears about a bit at first wondering what the heck you are doing up there, but if you can do round the world on a horse he'll carry you aside without too many issues!

Getting the saddle fit right is the real art! then sitting on it correctly is made easier!

I would be wary about buying from e-bay the saddle might look great and go cheaply....for you to get it and find the tree is full of worm! The side saddle books from e-bay are worth getting your hands on. The Art Of Side Saddle, Trematon Press is a really good book, you can order is straight from Amazon I think, Mrs Houblon's Side Saddel book is a bit more difficult to get hold of I think, but if you can get it it is full of wonderful pictures.

[QueenofCamelot]

I figured the whole saddle thing would be the bigger issue and as I have enough problems just finding the right astride saddle Im best to seek the help of a pro on that front. Usually you can find decent second hand saddles whatever the discipline if you go through the right clubs and channels. Anyway these threads have proven very interetsing! never knew about the black saddle issue!!!!! thanks for that :o

As for my charge, he is of the right temperament to try new things. Through the course of his life with me he has had many firsts and taken to them like a true workman. Hes a "do" horse so my only thing would be to find the right trainer to help the both of us...everyones gotta start somewhere right? even if my first lessons are on a seasoned SS horse then that is an option too.

Any thanks very much all for your input! Watch this space for a SS newbie!!! :D

[sidesaddlelady1]

SS Lady, just wondering why you say don't touch ebay side saddles? There do seem to be c&w, mayhew etc saddles going through cheaply..

I think it's a great idea to try something new, but I don't think its a great idea to have an inexperienced side saddle rider trying to teach a horse to be ridden in a side saddle for the first time.

I had my first few lessons on a retired police horse who had been ridden side saddle for several years, he was steady and knew his job, but I have to admit I found it totally different to normal riding. It took a couple of months of regular lessons before I could walk trot canter, and I still need help from an instructor to make sure I am sitting level.

There are a lot of very bad side saddles on Ebay ranging from those which aren't what they say they are (eg sidesaddles cobbled together on an astride saddle tree, C&Ws that aren't C&Ws) through to the downright dangerous. Last year there was a side saddle on Ebay which sounded and looked quite good. I enquired about it and realised the seller was known to me through the Side Saddle Association and I knew the saddle had a broken tree. When the seller realised I knew who she was she backed off furiously ("probably won't fit your horse" "not what you are looking for" etc). I stopped watching it when the price was up to just under £800. You really need to know what you are looking at when buying a s/s from a known source let alone sight unseen from an internet auction sight. I would go out on a limb and say that a saddle going cheaply on Ebay, etc., has something seriously wrong with it.

If you want to buy and you are a novice I would recommend that you go to a s/s specialist such as Rob Jenkins of Little Malvern Saddlery or Leo Wright to buy or to have a private purchase inspected before you part with any money. I still say hire first. If you hire something which is perfect for you the owner may well be persuaded to sell it to you. Incidentally, in American side saddle circles the side saddler Lillian Choudhary is well spoken of, although I only have third-hand, word-of-mouth, knowledge of her work.

Having said the above, don't expect a saddle which may be 60-100 years old to be in brand new, pristine condition but if it has been looked after you can do a lot with good quality saddle soap, leather cream and elbow grease. Most side saddles have been around since your granny was a girl and with care will still be going strong when your grandchildren have children.

As to first lessons I was encouraged to walk, trot and canter in my first lesson and my main thought was "why haven't I been riding like this all my life". I'm inclined to the view that when you start out you should try to forget, temporarily, what you have been taught about astride riding. And my horse got the idea very quickly.

[sidesaddlelady1]

You do need lessons to get it right, but if you can already ride there is little stopping you introducing your horse to a side saddle. I have never had any sensible riding horse object to the side saddle, they might flick their ears about a bit at first wondering what the heck you are doing up there, but if you can do round the world on a horse he'll carry you aside without too many issues!

Getting the saddle fit right is the real art! then sitting on it correctly is made easier!

I would be wary about buying from e-bay the saddle might look great and go cheaply....for you to get it and find the tree is full of worm! The side saddle books from e-bay are worth getting your hands on. The Art Of Side Saddle, Trematon Press is a really good book, you can order is straight from Amazon I think, Mrs Houblon's Side Saddel book is a bit more difficult to get hold of I think, but if you can get it it is full of wonderful pictures.

Also "Riding Side Saddle" by Janet Macdonald. Out of print in UK but available 2nd hand on Amazon, Ebay(useful for some things ;) ) and through the various side saddle associations' second hand columns

[sidesaddlelady1]

I figured the whole saddle thing would be the bigger issue and as I have enough problems just finding the right astride saddle Im best to seek the help of a pro on that front. Usually you can find decent second hand saddles whatever the discipline if you go through the right clubs and channels. Anyway these threads have proven very interetsing! never knew about the black saddle issue!!!!! thanks for that :o

As for my charge, he is of the right temperament to try new things. Through the course of his life with me he has had many firsts and taken to them like a true workman. Hes a "do" horse so my only thing would be to find the right trainer to help the both of us...everyones gotta start somewhere right? even if my first lessons are on a seasoned SS horse then that is an option too.

Any thanks very much all for your input! Watch this space for a SS newbie!!! :D

The only time I had an (admittedly minor) problem with my horse was after he had been ridden exclusively in SS for 6 months. I hacked out astride one day and couldn't understand why he seemed to want to get into the hedge on the left hand side. It suddenly clicked that he wasn't used to a right leg and was obeying what he thought was the aid to move over to the left :D . I adjusted my riding and it sorted itself out after a couple of rides out.

[Bay Mare]

Not that I can afford it and not that I am ready yet anyway but .... for interest only, can you get brand new side saddles made these days to fit your horse or are you limited to buying second (third, fourth ....) hand?

Are there the same fitting problems that there are with 'regular' treed saddles?

[Wally]

If you have about £3.500 you could get a new one, yes, they are being made, you can get a cheap foreign one, but it will wreck your horses back. The work that goes into a side saddle is much greater than than of an ordinary saddle, the seaming alone, which is hand done is about a days work alone.

If I had £3.500 I would get one mae new.

[galadriel]

They have the same fitting problems as astride saddles, AND some of their own too :)

There's someone who sells an interesting article titled "Tips on Buying a Side Saddle" on ebay--she's put it together after consulting contemporary side saddlers for herself, and deciding to share what she'd learned since there isn't a lot of info out there on that topic. It's a very informative article. PM me for her email addy if you'd like to enquire about a copy (for $1 a very good buy!)

[sidesaddlelady1]

Not that I can afford it and not that I am ready yet anyway but .... for interest only, can you get brand new side saddles made these days to fit your horse or are you limited to buying second (third, fourth ....) hand?

Are there the same fitting problems that there are with 'regular' treed saddles?

Roger Philpott of Pittern Hill Stables in Kineton, Warwickshire, is importing a new Karl Niedersuss side saddle from Germany. Apparently it has been made in consultation with the SSA (which probably means Roger). Some people say it's wonderful but a few side saddlers have been a bit sniffy about it in conversation. You can but try it. However, it is horrendously expensive. Roger would no doubt tell you about it if you contact him.

Nothing wrong with old saddles. Mostly they were kept in good condition by professional grooms who cleaned them properly everytime they were used and ,as an astride saddler once told me, the leathers used 80-100 years ago were much better quality than you can buy now. My "best" saddle is an Owen made between 1929 and 1929. I bought it when I was learning and before I had the horse. I was very lucky because it fitted me as if it was made for me and when I bought the WH it could have been tailor-made for him too.

[Wally]

I have heard good things about the inmported German ones.

[QueenofCamelot]

sound advice, thanks! Any other good side-saddles for the not so deep pocket?

[Bay Mare]

Thank you for the info :)

As I said there's no way (financially or experience wise) that I'm in the market for one yet but it's certainly something to think about for the future :)

[sidesaddlelady1]

Thank you for the info :)

As I said there's no way (financially or experience wise) that I'm in the market for one yet but it's certainly something to think about for the future :)
If you have a couple of lessons and decide sidesaddle is for you it really is worth hiring a saddle which fits you. It makes it so much easier to learn than when you are wobbling about on something that's uncomfy. Hiring is very cheap - I pay £100 a year - less than £2 a week!

Beware though, SS is seriously addictive and turns you into a one-woman recruiting campaign (as if you hadn't all noticed!). All new livery clients on the yard are grilled as to whether they have tried an SS on their horse and when they would like a taster lesson (I give them time to settle in first - I don't ask until their second day!)

[sidesaddlelady1]

I have heard good things about the inmported German ones.

Suspect the saddlers are sniffy because they didn't think of it first!

[Pickles]

SS Lady - where do you hire from, £100 per year does sound cheap. Would that include someone dropping it off and seeing that it fitted?

ps I agree about the addictive bit, I only tried it because I had an injury which meant I couldn't ride normally and I keep going back for the odd lessons, even though I have to travel 80 miles for a lesson :rolleyes:

[RachelEvent]

Interesting you mention a book written by Janet McDonald - do you know if this is the same lady that lives in gloucestershire and is a very skilled side-saddle rider? I have often had lessons riding astride with her... a very good instructor.

[sidesaddlelady1]

SS Lady - where do you hire from, £100 per year does sound cheap. Would that include someone dropping it off and seeing that it fitted?

ps I agree about the addictive bit, I only tried it because I had an injury which meant I couldn't ride normally and I keep going back for the odd lessons, even though I have to travel 80 miles for a lesson :rolleyes:

There are a number of ads for hirers in the Side Saddle Association handbook. Thompstone Toppers have dozens, Dennis Grey may have some but I believe he is running down his business as he is getting on a bit. When you hire a saddle it should come with a stirrup and leather and a balance girth but not an ordinary girth. You can adapt a standard Cottage Craft fabric girth by sewing a piece of webbing across it about half way along to thread the balance and over-girth through to stop them slipping off and pinching the horse.

You'll probably have to pick it up yourself unless the hirer is near to you and it's up to you to get the saddle fitted to your horse. When first contacting the hirer it's helpful to tell him/her a little about your build (length of leg from hip to knee, heavy or thin thighs, hip size etc) and about your horse (size, cob, warmblood,etc). The hirer can often recommend a side saddler to fit the saddle to your horse.

Some saddlers have to travel a long distance so it's advisable to check on costs as some charge a lot to travel to you and it might be cheaper to take the horse to him if he is willing. We use Rob Jenkins of Little Malvern Saddlery, but Leo Wright of Mansfield has been recommended, as has Laura Dempsey, who I think operates out of Pittern Hill Stables. Catherine Lonsdale of Bury (Lancashire) is said to do very good repair and rebuilding work but the last I heard is not very experienced with fitting. Andy Woolley of Uttoxeter was very good, if slow, but he seems to have vanished off the face of the earth. (If anyone can throw light on his whereabouts please pm me!)

Do not let an ordinary saddler persuade you that he can reflock a side saddle because he probably can't and there are at least two side saddlers I wouldn't touch with a barge-pole - no names, no pack-drill!

[sidesaddlelady1]

Interesting you mention a book written by Janet McDonald - do you know if this is the same lady that lives in gloucestershire and is a very skilled side-saddle rider? I have often had lessons riding astride with her... a very good instructor.

Could be - she was one of the founders of the SSA in the 1970s so she'll be fairly elderly and one the cover of one of her books she looks rather stout!