Early Chinese and Arabic drawings show people riding with both legs on one side of the horse, and medieval tapestries show ladies out hawking while sitting totally sideways on planchettes - a sort of chair with a footrest for the feet.

Modern riders are rediscovering the sidesaddle as an interesting way to show off the horse and rider. Crowds love the colorful costumes, and judges seem to like the historical connection.

So what makes the sidesaddle different? Well, for one thing, a lady can ride in long skirts, because both legs are draped demurely around horns on one side of the saddle. Riding a sidesaddle for the first time is something of a challenge, because all of the muscles you've schooled so carefully for use in riding astride are useless. However, a good seat and hands will be immediately available, and in fact they comprise the most essential part of riding aside. Your rapport with your horse will remain (but be prepared for him to turn his head and look at you oddly, when you first get into the saddle.)

Most horses appreciate being ridden aside, because they are not held in the vise-grip of human legs. Many difficult horses actually go better aside, and they actually seem to enjoy the challenge of helping you keep your balance up there!

In the United States we tended to keep Grandma's saddles in our attics and barns, but a mystique about riding aside grew up, as well as a myth that riding aside is dangerous.

Nothing could be further from the truth, if the saddle has the proper safety features and fits the horse. Remember that the sidesaddle was at its peak at a time when women were considered the fair, fragile sex. The sidesaddle enabled them to compete with men on equal footing in the hunt field and in cross country riding.

Sidesaddles come in different styles and sizes, just as regular saddles do. It's possible to find English, Western, and Period saddles at many large shows. They are just as different in their own way as astride saddles are, and with a little practice it becomes easy to tell the difference. One of the most common novice aside rider mistakes is to mismatch the saddle with clothing from the wrong historical period. It's always a good idea to do some research before you put together a show outfit, or to wear street clothing as a riding habit. See the addresses below for information on where to get research materials.

The first thing that the sidesaddle rider should remember is that she does not sit sideways! You'd be surprised at the number of people who assume otherwise.

The aside rider sits facing squarely to the front, shoulders and hips in the same position as they would be if she were riding astride. Her weight should be carried on the right thigh and right seatbone, but the actual center of gravity will shift as she moves forward for more speed, then sits back to slow the horse down.

Her right toe should be relaxed and point downward, and she should be sure that her right foot is not flexed. Her primary grip in the sidesaddle will be the action of the right leg against the upright pommel and the shoulder of the horse.

The left leg hangs naturally in the stirrup, with the heel slightly down. Her hands should be held in a natural position, with her elbows close to her sides. There is another, lower hand position, which is commonly taught to sidesaddle riders, but owners of gaited horses should be aware that the lower hand position is not appropriate to the head carriage of most gaited breeds. Above all, the rider should sit straight in the saddle, not leaning right or left. Her back should be slightly hollowed, and she should carry her head proudly.

The proper leg position for the leaping horn is the subject of many questions. The left leg should be carried about 1 inch below the underside of the horn - close enough to grip it easily in an emergency, but not in constant contact with it. Riding with a continuous "grip seat" may cause the rider's upper body to pivot in the saddle, making her sit dangerously sideways, and liable to lose her balance easily.

Elegance, versatility, history, security - only some of the many reasons riders look for sidesaddles today.

The elegance and history of riding aside cannot be denied, but security?

Properly constructed and ridden, the aside seat is so secure that some therapeutic riding programs use them for disabled riders.

Versatility? Many breeds and organizations offer divisions or classes for the sidesaddle rider, or allow aside riders to compete in open classes.

From barrel racing and reining to hunt field and dressage to costumes and parades, the demand for sidesaddles is on the rise.

 

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