Q:

Is  riding side saddle hard?

A:

No, riding side saddle is easier than it looks, though a bit more tiring for the novice rider (and horse!) than riding astride.

Q:

Can anybody do it?

A:

Any one who is physically able to ride a horse should be able to ride side saddle~ and yes, that does include men!  In the 19^th century a lady rider would usually have a male groom to train her horse for her, and they had to be able to ride aside to prepare the horses properly.  And in the case of some disabled riders, riding side saddle is actually easier and more secure.

Q:

Is it hard to train your horse to carry a side saddle?

"Schooling" by Alexander Pope

A:

Most schooling is done riding astride anyway~ if your horse has a good shoulder, is well mannered, and has straight, even paces he should be able to carry a side saddle without any trouble.

Q:

How do you stay on?

A:

No, it’s not SuperGlue ~ it’s the purchase that the rider has between her right leg, the top pommel of the saddle and the horse’s near shoulder that keeps her on top.

Q:

Can you jump riding side saddle?

Jane Forster (SSA-UK) in action tackling a hedge side-saddle
(Photo Courtesy Laura Dempsey)

A:

Sure can!  You have to sit more still in the saddle and fold more at the hips than riding astride but jumping aside is perfectly possible.

Q:

Is it easy to get a side saddle?

A:

That’s the hardest bit, actually.  Sometimes old saddles do come up for sale on Ebay or in local sales or the Horse Trader, but as these are usually not in the best of condition, it’s best to get one through the NZSSA if at all possible~ sometimes members will know of a good one, or a member who stopped riding will either lend or sell their saddle to a new rider just getting started.

Q:

Are new side saddles still being made?

Side saddle by Laura Dempsey, Master Saddler (UK)
(Photo Courtesy Laura Dempsey)

A:

For a long time they weren’t being made, but there are some saddlers overseas now who are making some very good saddles.  Prices vary but you need to be prepared to pay at least NZ$3500 for a new sidesaddle, sometimes a lot more depending on where you get it from. 

Tessa Anderson on “Fluke the Duke”
(Photo Courtesy Elizabeth Charleston)

�         The Side Saddle Association (UK)

�         The International Side Saddle Organisation

�         Hundred Oaks Side Saddles

�         Aside Line

�         Rayna Matthews, Disabled Side Saddle Rider

�         Laura Dempsey Master Saddler

�         Side Saddle Lady

�      Side Saddles UK