Posted by Cassia on May 21, 1997 at 15:00:53:

In reply to Re: Side-saddle? posted by Caroline on May 09, 1997 at 09:49:49

] 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.
] .
] ] 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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Absolutely correct. Until the land reforems broughon by one of the Henrys, women rode astride like the men. When women lost absolurly the controll of their inherited money and land to their husbands, someone French wife introduced the side saddle. Is this coincidence? Maybe but friends aof mine who ride too don't think so. ;-)

You do lose a bit of controll with a side saddle that's why women were are being put on gentle horses in 19th century lit. You only have one tigh and knee to grip with which means that your reins handling skills need to be greater.

Personnally I've only been side saddle once, won't do it again.

By the way, there is a halarious side saddle scene in _Aunty Mame_