Sidesaddle
The Beginning of Sophisticated Riding
Sidesaddle-perhaps one of the most important steps in breaking the chains of women to homes. The sidesaddle granted women the ability to have control over their horse, and therefore a form of freedom. Being able to ride enabled women to go on long trips and hunts with their husbands. However, the sidesaddle also created a social expectation that ladies of morale must ride aside. This belief would remain for several centuries.
The earliest found depictions of women riding sidesaddle can be seen in Greek vases, sculptures, and Celtic stones. However, the first functional sidesaddle did not appear until the late 14th century, designed by Anne of Bohemia. Previous to the 14th century, sidesaddles were little more than stuffed platforms, with a seat and a footrest, called the planchette. This type of saddle had the rider sit as though in a chair, and thusly no control over the horse, and therefore horse had to be led by a servant or another male rider. Anne of Bohemia is credited for developing a horn in front and the beginnings of a cantle (the back of the saddle). She is also the first lady to ride facing forward, towards the head of the horse instead of the side, and only her left foot on the planchette. In 1580, Catherine de Medici developed a second pommel, and is credited for being the first to hook her leg over the pommel.
Little changed over the next few centuries. In the 17th century, paintings showed elaborate bridles, saddles, and dresses on ladies who rode sidesaddle. In the 18th century, women began to use whips, though they were more for decor than for actual use on the horse. Finally, in the 19th century, the dipped seat was introduced to the sidesaddle. This was probably much more comfortable for the lady riders than a level flat seat, as you can imagine. Also during the 19th century, an anonymous person invented the balance strap, which prevented the saddle from slipping and made the saddle much more comfortable for the horse. One other improvement was made in the 19th century-the leaping head or third pommel. This basically made it very safe and secure for riders to do everything on the horse, including jumping.
In 1876 the Empress Elizabeth of Austria broke the barrier between women and riding on the hunt. This daring lady, while visiting England, is who made it acceptable and fashionable to ride out and follow their men and hounds. This lead to other improvements in the sidesaddle to make riding in it more comfortable.
In the early 20th century, things began to change. A woman's first aid volunteer unit was raised as a mounted corps, riding sidesaddle as this was still before riding astride became a norm. Shortly after this, women began to ride astride, and the sidesaddle became a degrading icon for women. Today however, the sidesaddle is a symbol of an era past gone, as well as a very elegant discipline. There are sidesaddle versions of almost any equine discipline you can think of, including show jumping, cross country, eventing, dressage, western pleasure, etc. I look forward to my own adventure in sidesaddle, which will take place in the near future.
The earliest found depictions of women riding sidesaddle can be seen in Greek vases, sculptures, and Celtic stones. However, the first functional sidesaddle did not appear until the late 14th century, designed by Anne of Bohemia. Previous to the 14th century, sidesaddles were little more than stuffed platforms, with a seat and a footrest, called the planchette. This type of saddle had the rider sit as though in a chair, and thusly no control over the horse, and therefore horse had to be led by a servant or another male rider. Anne of Bohemia is credited for developing a horn in front and the beginnings of a cantle (the back of the saddle). She is also the first lady to ride facing forward, towards the head of the horse instead of the side, and only her left foot on the planchette. In 1580, Catherine de Medici developed a second pommel, and is credited for being the first to hook her leg over the pommel.
Little changed over the next few centuries. In the 17th century, paintings showed elaborate bridles, saddles, and dresses on ladies who rode sidesaddle. In the 18th century, women began to use whips, though they were more for decor than for actual use on the horse. Finally, in the 19th century, the dipped seat was introduced to the sidesaddle. This was probably much more comfortable for the lady riders than a level flat seat, as you can imagine. Also during the 19th century, an anonymous person invented the balance strap, which prevented the saddle from slipping and made the saddle much more comfortable for the horse. One other improvement was made in the 19th century-the leaping head or third pommel. This basically made it very safe and secure for riders to do everything on the horse, including jumping.
In 1876 the Empress Elizabeth of Austria broke the barrier between women and riding on the hunt. This daring lady, while visiting England, is who made it acceptable and fashionable to ride out and follow their men and hounds. This lead to other improvements in the sidesaddle to make riding in it more comfortable.
In the early 20th century, things began to change. A woman's first aid volunteer unit was raised as a mounted corps, riding sidesaddle as this was still before riding astride became a norm. Shortly after this, women began to ride astride, and the sidesaddle became a degrading icon for women. Today however, the sidesaddle is a symbol of an era past gone, as well as a very elegant discipline. There are sidesaddle versions of almost any equine discipline you can think of, including show jumping, cross country, eventing, dressage, western pleasure, etc. I look forward to my own adventure in sidesaddle, which will take place in the near future.