ochoin | 07 Jun 2014 5:05 a.m. PST |
I watched that old favourite "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" last night. You'll remember the two women who accompanied Captain Brittle's last patrol. They rode side saddle. I was struck by the impracticality of these saddles. Can you safely use them at anything above a walk? Why did they exist & do they still make & use them? I'm not a horseman so probably I'm missing something. |
A Twiningham | 07 Jun 2014 5:09 a.m. PST |
Because it was considered the only proper way for a lady to ride. Not as much to do with gamesmanship as etiquette. |
Sundance | 07 Jun 2014 5:11 a.m. PST |
I believe women were not supposed to wear pants/trousers, which would have allowed them to ride a regular saddle in an appropriate fashion. The sidesaddle allowed women to ride wearing a dress while staying modest. |
daubere | 07 Jun 2014 5:22 a.m. PST |
Straddling a horse was frowned upon lest it get the ladies excited. According to an ex who was a horsey type
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ochoin | 07 Jun 2014 5:39 a.m. PST |
Thanks. Are side saddles past tense, though? |
timurilank | 07 Jun 2014 5:52 a.m. PST |
No, they are not past tense as they still are used by modern day Amazons who like a challenge. Ladies on side saddles did jump obstacles as was demonstrated in the movie during the first attempt at an escape. Cheers, |
daubere | 07 Jun 2014 5:54 a.m. PST |
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Cerdic | 07 Jun 2014 7:48 a.m. PST |
As others have said, side-saddle was invented for skirted ladies to maintain their 'modesty'. It looks really insecure but I saw a demonstration by four horsewomen at a history and re-enactment show. They were galloping and jumping and stuff while riding side-saddle. No problem. One of them even jumped a hurdle with no hands while taking her jacket off! Looked well impressive! |
Sue Kes | 08 Jun 2014 6:19 a.m. PST |
One excuse for making ladies ride sidesaddle was that their "thighs were too rounded to ride astride" (I read that in a 1912 magazine!) Actually, at various times in history, lady riders have worn britches under their habits for modesty (Queen Elizabeth I had several pairs listed in her wardrobe) and it's not unknown for them to have ridden astride in the past. That became frowned upon when the concept of "fragile femininity" took hold and it took a lot of hammering at Society to change it. A good sidesaddle rider can do most things a rider astride can do, including riding a full-out gallop and jumping – remember, riders in the hunting field in Britain go fast, over all kinds of natural obstacles and in all weathers. Circus equestriennes performed all sort of trick riding, usually buttoned up in a tight-fitting habit. It's a particular skill which needs the right tack and a horse trained to a side-saddle rider and it's not easy, but it does look elegant! Regarding the film, I would have expected the ladies in the West to ride astride in divided skirts. That was a very common style, especially in those parts of the country near to Mexico, where the "Spanish skirts" (as the divided skirts were sometimes known) were common. |
ochoin | 08 Jun 2014 3:18 p.m. PST |
Some very informative answers: thanks. |
cwbuff | 08 Jun 2014 3:38 p.m. PST |
Not a thread I would have looked for on TMP. I appreciate the information. Thanks. |
Etranger | 08 Jun 2014 4:19 p.m. PST |
Doesn't HRH ride sidesaddle at the Trooping of the Colour? Here you are Don, link |
ochoin | 09 Jun 2014 5:55 p.m. PST |
Thanks ET. It still looks as if it would hurt. |
Tommy20 | 10 Jun 2014 8:56 p.m. PST |
Doesn't HRH ride sidesaddle at the Trooping of the Colour? Not in quite a few years. She rides in a carriage these days
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