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kathleen
Platinum Member
 England
1835 Posts |
 Posted - 29 Jun 2012 : 11:08:54 PM
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Sorry strange one
I have this thought in my head about side saddle as in how does it affect your back?
I know its just got me thinking as a i am having a really bad time back wise as it has got to the point of just of long term pain management as there is nothing they can do.
So just wondered as seating position is different if anyone out there does know or ride side saddle and how do they find it?
If not fatty will have to start driving 
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http://www.jollyfryer.com/ Great British Fish & Chips
susan.oliver70@ntlworld.com
    
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Callisto
Platinum Member
6905 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2012 : 08:42:56 AM
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| Riding side saddle can really help people with hip problems, but I think it depends on the nature of your back problem whether side saddle would be better or worse than astride. Apparently fit of side saddle (needs to be good) and comfortable horse paces make a huge difference. I'm not an expert, only tried it a couple of times, i think you would need to try it to find out |
  Zahkira (GR Amaretto x Taffetta)
Linda
East Sussex |
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Kes
Platinum Member
England
1819 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2012 : 08:50:42 AM
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ooh will be watching this with interest. Courtesy of 2 car accidents 2 weeks apart I suffered a bit of musculoskeletal damage to my back and have pain on and off. I am looking to start side saddle next year (something I've always wanted to do), but I didn't think up until know how it might affect my back. Initially I am going to hire a saddle over the Spring/Summer season and if we got on with it ok I may consider a purchase. I was looking at them on ebay a few days ago and the prices are anywhere from £350ish-£2000+.
Please let us know how you get on/what you find out Kathleen, I would be particularly interested. |
    
Carole & Kes, West Sussex. |
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kathleen
Platinum Member
England
1835 Posts |
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Kes
Platinum Member
England
1819 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2012 : 6:10:57 PM
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| Kathleen, you're not far from me, I'm a few miles east of Worthing. If you find somewhere that does s/s lessons can I come along too? Quite happy to drive over to you or meet somewhere. I am dying to try it, my best attempts were mucking around as a teenager with one leg over an astride saddle!!! I don't think it ever went well but I didn't fall off!!! Carole :) |
Carole & Kes, West Sussex. |
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Callisto
Platinum Member
6905 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2012 : 6:31:02 PM
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| Apparently some 'old school' horsemen used to back horses in a side saddle because they were more secure to sit in than an astride saddle, so you should be pretty safe. Hope yo find someone, and do let us know how it works out |
Zahkira (GR Amaretto x Taffetta)
Linda
East Sussex |
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Kes
Platinum Member
England
1819 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2012 : 6:50:27 PM
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Really Callisto, wow, I'm pleased you said that, as much as I want to try/do this I was a little worried of making a fool of myself. Sliding off one way or another  .
I have seen some fantastic vids, there is someone on AL (I think Jess & Tiger??) who posted a brilliant vid including side saddle, and there is a young lady who is currently jumping big fences fences both in the arena and cross country :) |
Carole & Kes, West Sussex. |
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kathleen
Platinum Member
England
1835 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2012 : 10:24:41 PM
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Will do Kes there must be someone local
This month is a bit mad one weekend i have 3 different jobs on the Saturday i will start at 7am and finish midnight
Callisto is correct it is more secure the little i have read in a book i have which is in the loft at the moment the only thing it say's is about anything that rears is not good just encase it falls over back wards as you will fall back as well
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http://www.jollyfryer.com/ Great British Fish & Chips
susan.oliver70@ntlworld.com
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kathleen
Platinum Member
England
1835 Posts |
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Kes
Platinum Member
England
1819 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2012 : 3:04:12 PM
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| ooh, all excited now :) I'll have to do a bit of reading up, I fully admit to knowing nothing more than you have 2 legs on 1 side |
Carole & Kes, West Sussex. |
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MinHe
Platinum Member
England
2927 Posts |
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Kes
Platinum Member
England
1819 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2012 : 6:18:45 PM
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Thanks Keren, that's really helpful :) The ones I was most interested in on ebay were the Champion and Wilton saddles, they seem to be in the higher end of the price range but a good, well fitting saddle irrelevant of type is paramount.
I was going to ask around for a master saddler who fits side saddles, I have no idea if my own fits them. This is all new territory for me so any advice gratefully received. Thank you :) |
Carole & Kes, West Sussex. |
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zaminda1
Bronze Member
177 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2012 : 6:50:53 PM
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| I am looking for a side saddle hire for my little mare, she is lovely side saddle, but was not at all impressed by me in a veil! I have never seen her look so horrified in her life! Sadly I need a really small one, and they seem to be quite hard to come by, my friend has now had 4 or possibly more side saddles fr her mare! |
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MirandaToo
Silver Member
England
381 Posts |
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Callisto
Platinum Member
6905 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2012 : 7:29:51 PM
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Oh the Flying Foxes are brilliant - thanks for the link! No hands, jumping bunting, stabbing balloons with swords! Jumping with full wine glasses (seems to be a lot of alcohol involved), jumping a picnic table...
Since I fell off Lily today when she shied in the woods, I'm beginning to contemplate a side saddle as a way of sticking on! 
Here's a bit from the Telegraph on them
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/countryside/9163855/The-ride-of-my-life-side-saddle-and-in-a-corset.html |
Zahkira (GR Amaretto x Taffetta)
Linda
East Sussex |
Edited by - Callisto on 01 Jul 2012 7:45:40 PM |
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Quarabian
Platinum Member
Wales
4340 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2012 : 9:18:16 PM
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Consider a western saddle for you back!!! |
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Kes
Platinum Member
England
1819 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2012 : 9:35:30 PM
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Oh dear Callisto, hope you're ok? Thank you for the link, and MirandaToo, will have a good look when I get a proper minute :)
Zaminda1, a veil? Were you getting married on horseback? |
Carole & Kes, West Sussex. |
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MinHe
Platinum Member
England
2927 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jul 2012 : 5:27:17 PM
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| Originally posted by zaminda1
I am looking for a side saddle hire for my little mare, she is lovely side saddle, but was not at all impressed by me in a veil! I have never seen her look so horrified in her life! Sadly I need a really small one, and they seem to be quite hard to come by, my friend has now had 4 or possibly more side saddles fr her mare!
A note for those not used to side-saddles: it may seem odd, but you fit side-saddles to *you* (length of thigh), not just the horse! Side-saddles are measured from the back of the cut-back at the pommel to the back of the cantle. If you are an average height of around 5'4'', you will be looking at around a 16" side-saddle, but be aware this is not quite the same as a 16" astride saddle, due to the difference in where the measurements are taken.
Kes: all side-saddle riders wear veils (except with a helmet) - they were originally to project the face when hunting from branches, mud etc and now are traditional.
Whereabouts are you, Kes? Side-saddlers are specialists, very few ordinary master saddlers know about side-saddles. I know of a good one in the Stoke area, also there is another good one in Warks, but there are quite a few across the country. The SSA list is the best one to work from to find one in your area.
It's hard to go wrong with a Champion and Wilton; they are good, well-made saddles. Ones with flat doeskin seats will always be at a premium though as they are harder to find.
Keren |
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Kes
Platinum Member
England
1819 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jul 2012 : 5:35:41 PM
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Keren, I am in West Sussex between Worthing & Brighton, do you now of someone that can fit one for me that isn't going to charge an arm and a leg in travel expenses, alternatively I could box Kes over to someone recommended?
Sorry, being a bit dim, I still don't understand what the veil is, could you explain further please, Carole. |
Carole & Kes, West Sussex. |
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Callisto
Platinum Member
6905 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jul 2012 : 5:42:57 PM
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When you wear a top hat with your side saddle habit they can have a small veil (net) on the front.
Kes, would contacting the Sidesaddle Association be the best way to find a good sidesaddle fitter in your area? |
Zahkira (GR Amaretto x Taffetta)
Linda
East Sussex |
Edited by - Callisto on 02 Jul 2012 5:52:45 PM |
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zaminda1
Bronze Member
177 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jul 2012 : 5:43:14 PM
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| I'm not quite 5ft, so have used a 15". Will have to see what I can do when I get reunited with my little darling this week. |
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Kes
Platinum Member
England
1819 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jul 2012 : 7:02:47 PM
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Thanks Callisto :) I thought it was, just didn't want to type a guess and look silly , and good idea re contacting the Sidesaddle Association, ty. Need to find some time for a proper look around and do some learning, guess it would help if I stopped perusing Internet forums and FB for start!
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Carole & Kes, West Sussex. |
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MinHe
Platinum Member
England
2927 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jul 2012 : 7:19:38 PM
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You also wear a veil with a bowler  The veil attaches round the brim of your hat, covers your whole face down to the chin, and ties at the back just below the hat brim. It's all part of the traditional turnout. Juniors don't wear or veil, nor adults when they are wearing a helmet, which you are advised to for jumping.
Kes. I haven't got an up-to-date SSA Handbook (membership was one of the things that had to go when I lost my job, sigh) - however, I do know that there is someone in Kent who hires out side-saddles, and that there is a side-saddler in Hampshire too. You are in Area 8 of the SSA - suggest you contact them for more info. The SSA folk I have always found to be helpful and friendly, so don't worry about approaching them :)
This is the email for the Area 8 Secretary - suggest you drop her a line angelam.wells@virgin.net
Keren
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Kes
Platinum Member
England
1819 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jul 2012 : 7:53:35 PM
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| Thanks Keren, what would we do without AL |
Carole & Kes, West Sussex. |
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zaminda1
Bronze Member
177 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jul 2012 : 10:11:59 PM
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| Not getting married (dear god save me from that) just trying habit with top hat! Small grey arabian was unamused, snorted in disgust. |
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Professional Lurker
Bronze Member
229 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jul 2012 : 11:35:31 PM
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Definitely get in touch with your local SSA group. Liz Turner hires out side saddles, she will travel to you but you would have to book a slot with her, very busy lady.
Read up all you can, have lessons with a good instructor, your SSA could put you in touch with one. If you decide it's for you then invest in a good saddle that fits you and your horse, I also wouldn't advise buying off e bay , yes, some are genuine but there's a lot of rubbish ones out there.
There is a facebook group for side saddle people, side saddle riders, can pick up hints, tips and plenty of knowledge on there if you do facebook.
It's a wonderful and elegant way to ride, my Arab took to it very well so enjoy if you do take up aside.
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Topic |
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Side saddle experts?
