Posted by Caroline on May 09, 1997 at 09:49:49:

In reply to Side-saddle? posted by Barbara on May 08, 1997 at 18:18:49

I was wondering whether these ladies would likely have been riding side-saddle? Yes. The picture on the cover of this group read board looks like a woman riding side-saddle. Is that the only way women rode at that time, or did they ever ride astride like men?Only if they wanted to act like men and blow what the world thought.

] Perhaps some equestrians might know also how does a woman get onto a side saddle? It is necessary to be lifted on, or is there a way to get on yourself?< /i> I have seen it done with a mounting block and help when using a habit, not jodpuhrs.Imanaged it on my own with a mounting block.

] Are side saddles always to the same side---with legs over the left of the horse, for example? They don't have to be, but the convention is for right-handed people.
] I've seen a side saddle, but never ridden one--does the leg hangs down (not the one that goes over the hook) have a stirrup? Yes.
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] And finally, wouldn't this actually be a lot more dangerous than riding like men? It's more uncomfortable, and side-saddle showjumping uses much smaller jumps than conventional showjumping. Dressage is the same for both, though most women dressage competitors wear habits and ride side-saddle. So yes, I would say it probably is more dangerous.

One last comment - I didn't enjoy it half so much as riding the conventional way, and I am convinced that it was yet one more way of denying women their freedom. It looks pretty and different, but isn't nearly so practical.

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