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Side saddle riding – its history & how you can start too

In times of emancipation, many riders find it rather strange to voluntarily climb into the side saddle. There are also many prejudices and misconceptions about riding in the side seat. Unfortunately, there is only a small group of people who are interested in this extremely elegant form of riding and who want to continue to cultivate this piece of cultural heritage. Riding in the side saddle can be a great enrichment for both horse and rider in many ways.


The History of the Side Saddle

The history of the side saddle is characterized by constant change and development in order to offer the rider more comfort and safety. The first images of women sitting on the side of a horse can be found as early as ancient times. The woman sat on the horse's bare back, on a blanket or a seat cushion. However, it was used exclusively for locomotion, as the view to the front was restricted, the rider had no independent control over the horse and was therefore guided by a helper.

The original form of the actual ladies' saddle emerged in the Middle Ages: the cross saddle. It usually consisted of a saddle tree with straw padding, a backrest, a saddle knob to hold on to and a small footboard on which the lady could place both feet. The cross saddle offered a little more comfort on longer journeys, but was still used exclusively as a means of transport and the lady still had to be led. Anne of England is said to have been the first to place only her left foot on the footboard so that she could turn her upper body a little more in the direction of riding.

This new seat spread quickly, but still gave the lady little support. In the Renaissance, Catherine de Medici in particular is said to have played a key role in changes to the side saddle. She liked to go hunting, which was almost impossible in the cross saddle. She initially placed her right leg between the saddle knob and the backrest to get more support. This led to the creation of the fork saddle. The saddle knob and the backrest were replaced by two forks and now the right leg could be placed in this hollow. The left foot continued to find space on the footboard or in a slipper stirrup, which, as the name suggests, looked like a slipper.


Side saddle rider by the sea at Picadera
Andrea Blochwitz in the side saddle and matching outfit
(Photo: Stefanie Blochwitz Photography)

In the 17th century, women rode exclusively for entertainment, traveling and hunting. The high school of horsemanship was popular at the royal courts and riding in the side saddle was also encouraged. In the 18th century, many travelers switched to carriages and riding in the side saddle became a leisure activity for the upper class.

Even in the 19th century, this type of riding was still very fashionable and highly regarded. There were crucial innovations and changes to the side saddle to give the rider more security. This led to the hunting horn, which was attached under the left fork (upper horn). Now the rider could place her left thigh against the lower horn and find more stability. The hunting horn (or screw-in horn) has proven its worth up to the present day and has been preserved in this way. The first safety stirrups were also created; they opened in the event of a fall to prevent the rider from getting caught in the stirrup. The stirrup mounts also changed for the same reason. The proven patents are still functional today and are often copied.

When doing historical research on the subject of side saddles, you cannot ignore Empress Elisabeth (Sisi). To this day, she is considered one of the bravest and best side saddle riders ever. Her father is said to have been one of the first to have side saddles built that sat on the right, in order to protect children's health and prevent one-sided strain on the horses. At this time, more and more attention was also paid to the fit of the saddles and each saddle was made to measure specifically for a rider and a horse.


The search for the right ladies saddle

To ensure that the start of riding in a side seat is successful in practice and does not end in disaster, a side saddle should meet a number of important features. Compared to "normal" saddles, side saddles are quite heavy, the contact surface is quite large and the padding is noticeably thick. The asymmetrical structure and the straight seat are also unusual. The so-called balance strap gives the side saddle more support. It is attached to the left side, runs under the horse's belly in the girth area and is attached to the cantle on the right. An over-girth prevents the right saddle flap from flapping when moving.


Side saddle on horse at Picadera
Traditional English style ladies saddle with wool cushions
(Photo: Stefanie Blochwitz Photography)

In addition, every side saddle should have a safety lock for the stirrup attachment and a suitable stirrup. As with any other saddle, the basic requirement for harmonious riding is that the side saddle must fit the horse and rider. For the horse, the length of the back and for the rider, the length of her thighs are crucial. If, for example, the horse's back is very short and the rider's thighs are very long, it can be difficult to find an optimal solution for both parties.

When looking for a suitable ladies' saddle, be sure to seek advice from experts who specialize in this. Cheap replicas are not recommended because they have not proven themselves in practice. Restoring old, historic ladies' saddles is usually very complex, expensive and modifications are only possible to a limited extent. For safety reasons, the saddle tree, the horns, the padding, all straps and belts and the stirrup attachment should be checked on every used ladies' saddle. Of course, you can also have a new, custom-made ladies' saddle made, but this is quite expensive.


The requirements for horse and rider for riding with a side saddle

The prerequisite for riding with a side saddle is that your four-legged friend has had good basic training. What doesn't work in a men's saddle will certainly not work with a side saddle. Your horse should therefore respond to the aids as sensitively and confidently as possible. It is also an advantage if it is naturally keen to run and is comfortable to sit on. It should also have strong nerves and be obedient. Standing quietly and waiting when getting on and off is also an important prerequisite.

Before you try riding in a side saddle, it is helpful if you have already acquired a well-balanced seat that is independent of the reins. It is recommended that you take the first trial lesson in a side saddle on an experienced teaching horse. This way you can get used to this new riding feeling in peace and quiet.


Ladies saddle with girth on the horse at Picadera
A trained instructor can also help you choose the right ladies saddle for you and your horse
(Photo: Stefanie Blochwitz Photography)

Ideally, you should take the time for a few more lessons to gain some side saddle experience. If horse and rider are new to side saddle riding, the necessary calm and security are usually lacking. Your horse will quickly notice if you are unsure of yourself and this can lead to disagreements. In any case, seek help and support from appropriate trainers to get started with side saddle riding.


The correct seat in the side saddle

Getting into the side saddle is done with the help of a mounting aid or a helper on the ground. Always look for support on the upper (fixed) horn, never on the lower (screwed-in) horn. Try to put only as much weight into the stirrup as necessary.

You can start by sitting in the men's seat and then switch to the women's seat. If you have never sat in a women's saddle, you will usually sit at an angle to begin with. However, the modern women's saddle is built in such a way that your shoulders and hips can remain as parallel to the horse as possible.

The right thigh is placed over the upper horn. Slide back in the saddle so that the horn is roughly in the back of the knee. If you press the tip of your right foot downwards, you get more support and stability. Place the left leg loosely on the lower horn. The stirrup must be adjusted so that one hand fits between the leg and the horn.

Place your hands to the left and right of your right knee. Make sure you stand upright and try to keep your upper body as centered as possible over the horse.

At the beginning, you will probably feel a little wobbly in the side saddle and you will unconsciously lean your upper body slightly to the right. This is completely normal because your body needs to rebalance and find its equilibrium. What is also unusual is how high you sit above the horse and how far back in the saddle.


And this is what it looks like – the balanced seat in the side saddle
(Photo: Stefanie Blochwitz Photography)

Aids in the side saddle

You will quickly notice that you are much more limited in giving aids in a side saddle than in a men's saddle. You can mainly influence the horse from your seat, i.e. with the help of shoulder rotation and weight aids.

The voice aid can also be a good support when sitting sideways to make your horse understand you better. When using the rein aids, you should make sure that the reins do not jump and that the connection remains as fine as possible.


Correct seat in the side saddle at Picadera
The whip serves as a replacement for the missing leg
(Photo: Stefanie Blochwitz Photography)

The missing leg is replaced by the whip or a tailstock. A tailstock is usually firmer than a whip and can therefore be used as a leg aid in the leg position. Whether you choose a stable tailstock or a flexible whip depends on your personal preference, as well as the horse's phlegm and size.

As a rule, the transition of the horse to the side saddle is completely unproblematic. The conscious decision not to use aids ensures that most horses feel much more comfortable under the side saddle. The passive position in the side seat disturbs your horse less and most four-legged friends like that.


Rider in side saddle with baroque outfit at Picadera
Riding in the side saddle should also be fun
(Photo: Animal photography Elena Hofstede – she also took the great cover photo of Andrea Blochwitz & Tristan on the beach)

Get into the side saddle!

I can only recommend that every rider try out this unique way of riding. It is not only an excellent way to check whether you are in harmony with your horse even with reduced aids, but it also promotes the rider's seat, balance and equilibrium in a special way. It is also a great feeling when all the lessons are easy to complete under the sidesaddle and is a lot of fun for horse and rider!

Here you will find great products that are also suitable for side saddle riders:

Andrea Blochwitz
Andrea Blochwitz

I am Andrea, a licensed trainer B for classical-baroque riding and examiner for recreational sports. Under the motto: "Fun with horses" I travel around Kiel and the surrounding area as a mobile trainer. A varied and fair horse training is important to me. From classical-baroque dressage, work in hand, long reins, lunging with a cavesson, double lunge, circus lessons, riding in a side saddle, with the garrocha or neck ring, working equitation, free work, calmness training and seat training, everything is possible. I am a passionate show rider and have been able to take part in many horse events and trade fairs. My heart especially beats for my Welsh Cob gelding "Arvalon Mardi Grass", which I trained myself. I am very happy to be able to support the Picadera team as an author and am happy to be available to you with help and advice!

Photo: Stefanie Blochwitz Photography

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