Just bought a sidesaddle!!-tips?

[jumper-4-joy]

Hey everyone! I just bought a sidesaddle!!! I got it off ebay, got it checked, and it is sound and ready to ride! I have been researching sidesaddle, and know the parts of the saddle, and a few riding things-like keep your hips square, like you were riding astride.

I am going to try riding my stallion this way (as you could ride him upside down, and he wouldn't care). So, it should be fun.

My mom and trainer thinks this is stupid! I think it is really cool, so some advice, hints, tips, and backup would be appreciated!!!

I also got a sidesaddle book, and have been riding English for many years, so I won't kill myself.

Is it true I could just go to a show and show sidesaddle? Since it is an English sidesaddle, why couldn't I show that way at an English show? Should I ask the judge first? Does anyone know the appropriate attire (or where to get it)?

I'll have my fist ride in a few days, so I'll keep you all informed!!!

 

[Janette]

Well done for trying something new, but do you think it would be wise to have a few lessons before venturing into the showring? Does the US have the equivalent of The Sidesaddle Association? http://www.sidesaddleassociation.co.uk/index.htm I know its a British site, but they may be able to point you towards a trainer in your area.

As for clothing, not sure about where you find the gear in the US, but I do know that www.suitability.com sells the patterns for the aprons and jackets.

Good luck.

 

[jumper-4-joy]

Of course I'll have lessons first! I certainly don't want to kill myself! I was just asking about showing for future reference. Thanks for the websites-they're great!

 

[Wally]

Fisrtly you are going to have to work up slowly, side saddle uses muscles you thought you'd never find! It's like learning to ride all over again.

You need someone on the ground to make sure you are keeping your hips straight.

Think right shoulder back, tall and elegant, take the weight along your right thigh and centre it over where your thigh crosses over the horse's back. Think right heel to left shin, and keep your hands low, one each side of the fixed head and your right knee. You will have to get some side saddle reins which are extra long otherwise you won't be able to keep your hands in the long and elegant poise. ALWAYS keep the loose end of the riens over to the right (if you have a right handed saddle it will be to the left) keep the loose end away from the pommels otherwise you could get them caught around them.

For showing you need a black habit, no other colour is acceptable, you might get away with navy, but only if you are a junior and wear a hunting cap of the same colour. It is a black habit and a black hunting cap (these days you shouldn't be penalised for safety) or bowler. With this you wear a yellow or linnen waiscoat with the bottom button undone, a SHIRT AND TIE and brown gloves and a veil with the bowler.

For Royal shows after 12 noon you wear a topper with veil. With this you wear a white hunting stock.

On your feet it is one spur on your left foot and long black boots. AS to the colour of jodhs, I have heard international judges voice different opinions. Some say black jodhs as they hate to see the beige flashing under the apron and some say beige as black jodhs are common! you choose and hope the judge on the day aggrees with you!

Do you have a picture of the saddle? I'd be interested.

MAke sure your stirrup is the correct one for the saddle. If the saddle only has a roller D on it you MUST, MUST have a breakaway stirrup. If not make sure the catch on the top of the leather is in good order as it will save your life one day.

Good luck with it. I see no reason why a lady side saddle should not be allowed to compete in an English Equitation class aside.

 

[lindz]

Make sure it fits your horse! Have you had someone check that it fits your horse ok? You could damage his back if it doesnt fit properly.

Agree with the schooling times. Keep it short and sweet. You will be using muscles you never knew you had! Your horse will too!

 

[iloveshearer]

have fun!!!! let us know how it goes

 

[jumper-4-joy]

Aw! It just had to rain! Now, I don't get to try it for a week.

Anyway, does anyone have an extra safety stirrup (lost the match or something?)

 

[Wally]

What quick release mechanism is on your saddle? There should be a big metal bar and another metal fixing on the top of the leather which goes with your particular quick release mechanism. If you only have a roller D on the saddle you MUST have a special drop tread side saddle stirrup.

 

[jumper-4-joy]

It has just a plain rolling bar. They have special sidesaddle stirrups? Or would a regular safety breakaway stirrup work?

 

[Wally]

No a normal stirrup won't do at all. If it has a roller bar you must, MUST have a tread drop stirrup, it is a specialist stirrup. I'll see if I can find you one on the net to look at.

The whole point of the special stirrup bar is that if the horse falls you leather falls away completely leaving you free to get out from under. A normal astride stirrup will not to the job and you'll be trapped beneath the horse being crusjed.

 

[Wally]

this shoulod be a pic of a special iron made for saddles with a roller D for the leather to attach to the saddle.

The bar which would be nearest to the top of your foot will release the whole of the tread if the angle of your foot in the stirrup becomes dangerously sharp. ie away from the side of the horse.

It is hard to fall off side saddle, if the horse trips and falls to the left you can become trapped if you don't have a release mechanism on the bar or set into the stirrup.

An ordinary astride saddle stirrup will hold you fast and get you squashed.

 

[jumper-4-joy]

Thanks for the pic! I actually saw that one on ebay myself. But, I don't get how falling off from a sidesaddle is any diff from falling from a regular saddle. I mean, you would be dragged the same way, so why son't we all use those special stirrups, or why don't sidesaddle people use regular peacock safety stirrups?

I understand that I need one of those, I'm not denying, I just like to understand why.

 

[sidesaddlelady1]

Hey everyone! I just bought a sidesaddle!!! I got it off ebay, got it checked, and it is sound and ready to ride! I have been researching sidesaddle, and know the parts of the saddle, and a few riding things-like keep your hips square, like you were riding astride.

I am going to try riding my stallion this way (as you could ride him upside down, and he wouldn't care). So, it should be fun.

My mom and trainer thinks this is stupid! I think it is really cool, so some advice, hints, tips, and backup would be appreciated!!!

I also got a sidesaddle book, and have been riding English for many years, so I won't kill myself.

Is it true I could just go to a show and show sidesaddle? Since it is an English sidesaddle, why couldn't I show that way at an English show? Should I ask the judge first? Does anyone know the appropriate attire (or where to get it)?

I'll have my fist ride in a few days, so I'll keep you all informe
!!!

For showing turn-out you need to contact a side saddle organisation in your country as there are variations between correct side saddle get up in English (ie UK) shows and similar classes in shows in the US.

You could go to a show and just do it but I doubt you would get very far. SS Ladies take it very seriously and Judges can be VERY strict. Although they may advise you, they may also be annoyed if they think you are messing about and wasting time. Please bear in mind that it isn't just the horse's good manners which are under scrutiny!

If you intend entering an ordinary class with astride riders it is considered good manners to ask the judge for permission to compete in his/her class side saddle. The judge is within his or her rights to insist you to compete "hors de concours" ( without being judged). You will also need to have an astride saddle available if it's a class where the judge may wish to try out the horse. Even in side saddle classes this is recommended.

 

[sidesaddlelady1]

It has just a plain rolling bar. They have special sidesaddle stirrups? Or would a regular safety breakaway stirrup work?

A s/saddle with a roller bar is dangerous! You MUST have a safety stirrup. If you are a child a peacock iron would do but if you are a mid-teenager or adult you should contact a SS association/organisation for advice as to what is available in your country. You can have the roller bar replaced with a safety fitting but this may cost as much or more than the saddle's purchase price.

I suspect that the saddle you have bought is a 19th century one with a dipped seat - these aren't recomended for learning on but needs must when it's all you have available.

Wally's advice is very good and I would stress the advice given to get a qualified instructor/ess.

 

[Wally]

When you fall from an ordinary saddlel you are free to fall and be thrown away from the horse if he falls to the left. With a side saddle the pommels and stirrup will keep you there until the horse hits the ground. The drop tread stirrup at least lets you fall away from under.

 

[sidesaddlelady1]

Thanks for the pic! I actually saw that one on ebay myself. But, I don't get how falling off from a sidesaddle is any diff from falling from a regular saddle. I mean, you would be dragged the same way, so why son't we all use those special stirrups, or why don't sidesaddle people use regular peacock safety stirrups?

I understand that I need one of those, I'm not denying, I just like to understand why.

"Modern" ie 20th century side saddles have special "break away"fixings for the stirrup leather. This is because your seat is so secure in a side saddle that it may be very difficult to "bale out" if the stirrup leather doesn't release and thus to avoid being rolled on if your horse falls. Most deaths and serious injuries in the 19th century after the introduction of the leaping head were down to this rather than actual falls from the horse. There were a number of "safety side saddle stirrups" on the market when roller bars were the norm on side saddles but they were not always very successful. There is a stirrup called the "Kwik out", available in the UK, which looks as though it might work for side saddles.

As has been frequently pointed out on these boards PEACOCK IRONS ARE ONLY SUITABLE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN!!!!! They are not strong enough to take the weight of a teenager or adult. The manufacturers make this plain but a lot of retailers and instructors either do not know or don't bother to make this clear.

 

[Bay Mare]

Sort of following on from this ... what about the saddle fit for the horse? How does that go with it being an old saddle? Are there differences in saddle fit for Side Saddles to astride saddles?

 

[No_Angel]

im thinking about maybe getting a sidesaddle for my girl. shes used to treeless now, but im thinking of using my suber pad under it to make it more comfortable for her.
ive had a few lessons, well one walk around at pony club and mum let me have a sidesaddle lesson for my 18th birthday. your right about the muscles, ive been riding for 14yrs, but have never used those muscles before
another question- is it fairly good to be cantering on your first lesson? i felt really unbalanced in canter, but fine in walk and trot. im lucky as my girl is very balanced in canter, if slightly fast.
id love one for my cob, but id doubt there would be one wide enough unless there is a treeless one about.

 

[jumper-4-joy]

Believe it or not, my sidesaddle is not an old version. The seat is suede and flat. The leather is good and new. No brand name. Your probably thinking it is therefore an unsafe import. It is a fairly good import. No, it is not english made, but it is good, sturdy, and will do its job.

Thanks for all of your input on the stirrup irons. If it weren't for this post, I'd be using a regular stirrup! Well, now I guess i'll go and find a sidesaddle one.

WHERE IN THE WORLD AM I SUPPOSED TO FIND ONE??? (They are not exactly common in the USA)

If anyone knows anywhere I could get them, please let me know!

What is the deal with the peacock stirrups? I have seen adults ride in them. (no offense, but pretty big adults at that)

 

[Tangle]

What is the deal with the peacock stirrups? I have seen adults ride in them. (no offense, but pretty big adults at that)

People do (and they often get away with it) but then people often ride without hats as well, or drive without seat belts..... The problem comes down to physics. When you stand in a normal stirrup, your weight is spread across the base and up both arms. When you stand on a peackock stirrup the elastic band won't provide very much support - so all your weight is going up one arm. With all the weight going up one arm there's a huge weakpoint where the base meets that arm - and if something goes wrong and that force increases (the horse spooks or the rider looses balance) it could bend or break.

Mountain Horse make the SCS3 Quick Release stirrup, which is kind of like a Peacock Iron for Adults . Google found Equestrian Collections, who sell if for $80.95 (just to add I know nothing else about this company ).

There's also a stirrup called something like "quick-out", which is hinged to release the foot, but I can't even find that in the UK now

Would something like a barnes buckle work? The stirrup might stay on the foot, but if it's no longer attached to the saddle.....?

Good luck - side saddle has always looked so elegant