How To Ride Side Saddle Like A Victorian Lady

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Rebecca Holland demonstrates how to ride side saddle in the riding school at Audley End House, just like many ladies from the late Victorian period did.
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[@EnglishHeritage]

Our riders do wear correctly tailored and fitted corsets, made to an original Victorian riding corset pattern by a historical corsetry expert. Our ladies have never fainted whilst riding, but there are certainly historical accounts of this happening in the past!

[@simplykathrynrebeca]

Omygosh 😍 I’m gonna have to find a pattern

[@daffyduck64]

Does Rebecca holland have a Facebook

[@astrothsknot]

boo on them for tight lacing.

[@killiansirishbeer]

Just a few hours ago, I had to remind my mum, again, that no; corsets were not the tools of torture that had young women fainting left and right 🤦🏽‍♀️

[@EnglishHeritage]

If a sidesaddle is correctly fitted it causes the horse no discomfort or pain whatsoever, indeed, many horses go better, particularly jumping, sidesaddle. The saddle is built in such a way that the rider sits completely centrally on the horses back with their weight evenly distributed. The only extra weight the horse carries on the left side is that of the riders lower left leg.

[@claudettedupri22a]

Does Rebecca holland have a Facebook page

[@Hel7100]

Now I couldn't help but remembering Diary of a Princess 2, when she had to use a fake leg to pretend that she was mounting aside.

[@ellainacase427]

Helena Stumpf Morelli omg same XD

[@gomee23]

Helena Stumpf Morelli currently watching it and had to look up how you would normally ride it

[@veronicatowers5271]

Kody Meyer SAME!

[@Dani-ez9qb]

Helena Stumpf Morelli ME TOO!

[@elsiryn]

im here because of that movie.

[@CuteCatFaith]

Irish hunter horses tend to have such a lovely carriage. Look at that one's ears and proud bearing! Very alert, so pretty.

[@OnLifeandLove]

Horses are such sensitive and intelligent animals!

[@kingsleyc5677]

That horse is beautiful

[@Starry_Night_Sky7455]

True!

[@trionabyrne217]

I wonder what it'll be like if girls and ladies ride side saddle in modern years.

[@selkiemoon7665]

I do ride sidesaddle with my saddle-bred and he loves it. It's much more comfortable for him, and jumping is still easy. I sometimes do it in full costume which turns heads.

[@georgetteconstant9050]

I would love to see this!! I've often imagined someone such as yourself riding through my turn of the century historically protected neighborhood of Ghent in Virginia USA. Creative anarchism at it's finest! (if I'm using that term correctly)

[@selkiemoon7665]

@@georgetteconstant9050 Yeah. Unfortunately due to colic a year prior, Jack-o'-lantern, my saddle bred, passed away. I haven't ridden side saddle since.

[@georgetteconstant9050]

@@selkiemoon7665 I'm so sorry, my condolences. At least you are out and riding? It's something I only dream about, with two knee replacements (which means I walk take stairs etc; and live pain free) I'm afraid of hurting my implants with any force trauma. I gave up my bicycle too; once a twig appeared out of no where and locked up a wheel and I tumbled but wasn't hurt. And this was something I had no control over which is what bothered me. So the trade off of everyday living and getting around and other things, as per my lack of mental confidence for doing other things , is worth it to me. Again, I am so sorry about Jack-o'-lantern.

[@sarahallegra6239]

@@selkiemoon7665 Oh no, I’m so sorry to hear about Jack-O’-Lantern! It’s always devastating losing one of our animal companions. It sounds like he had an amazing life with you. I hope you’re able to heal; of all you’ll never forget him, but I’m sure he’d also want you to be happy and thriving ❤

[@PersephoneAddams]

As many period films and novels I have watched and read, I never researched how ladies rode side saddle. Thank you for this awesome video. And I'm loving that she's wearing period costume all the way down to the corset. Also, so beautiful and elegant. Thank you, Miss Rebecca. :-)

[@speedsville]

A very well done and articulate video. Unlike many where someone just stumbles through it on the first take. I really like the lady's prsentation!

[@jackbuckley7816]

jack flash---I did, too, very much!

[@EnglishHeritage]

Hi MsBarebackrider - thanks for your questions and sorry for the delay with our replies. A saddleblanket is not usually used under a sidesaddle, however they are available online from the website sidesaddles.co.uk. A pelham bit or double bridle is considered correct turnout for a lady riding sidesaddle in a dark habit and a top hat, a snaffle bit if she is in tweed. It's most important to always make sure the horse is happy with the bit though.

[@aqueen9844]

This is really cool and I have always wondered how sidesaddles work

[@tlclark9260]

Just looking at this as I'm writing a Regency romance at present, and my lady is rather fond of riding. Having never ridden side-saddle myself, I do find this intriguing. Just wanted to see how one gallops in such a position, but it's clearly easily done. Thank you for sharing this. Always good to have a visual aid xx

[@bitchy-cryptid]

So cool! I'd love to ride side saddle one day.

[@SMV1199]

there's a side saddle barn like an hour and a half away from me and I really wana go there sometime xp

[@silverkitty2503]

Hell no for me!

[@siphosimwanza4429]

Well, have you yet?

[@lisa8220]

What a joy to see this explained. I saw a woman in her seventies jumping sidesaddle in Charlottesville, Virginia, but from afar. She was the famous Judith Gyurky on a Hungarian Clover Horse,She went thru forests to protect Hungarian Breed from the Russians and managed to get to General Patton. and rescue and get the remaining to America.

[@danniward5717]

I'm riding side saddle for the first time this week. This has been really useful to watch.

[@lucyemma9777]

As a rider who's about to take on learning to ride in a side saddle in a weeks time this was very interesting!!! It looks lovely!!!

[@fluffythekillerbird]

They are as rare as hens teeth but they did make off-side saddles. If you have the money for one they are out there and most sellers will give a trial period to see if it suits you.

[@dan797]

Very well presented. Fascinating never understood the concept and comfort of Victorian ladies riding sidesaddle-am rather shocked at the indelicacy of the warmer climate detachable apron. 😂

[@vdenise]

the horse is gorgeous , stunning , and thank you for posting very informative

[@goundreykruse]

Just to say, the corset in itself does not cause fainting - unless it is tightly cinched. I think it is a modern misconception that wearing a corset caused women to faint.

[@ioanwade3141]

This. all this.

[@slobomotion]

I'll be 55 this year, a fan of this style all along, hope to try it. Very good information in this one and what a nice hunter! This explains some things about the habit skirt I had never understood. Ridden many styles in many countries, though disabled. I just don't bite off more than I can chew and it's lovely. Uprated!

[@Furcorners]

Hooray for Rebecca! She's a wonderful ambassador for the sport of riding aside.

[@maxwellfan55]

Fascinating and well demonstrated, thank you.

[@kyldy]

lovely and my great grandmother rode on a western sidesaddle and i love it although now i don't ride much

[@epiphanyinsight]

It looks very elegant. I always wanted to do that but never had the chance. Just rode a pony once. lol Cheers from the U.S.

[@Starry_Night_Sky7455]

I just love their stunning turnout. Well done! It's a classic look.

[@Hel7100]

I always wondered if mounting like this wouldn't have caused scoliosis to the women (as if they didn't have enought problems with the corsets). Looks like that everything, back in the old times, was deliberately designed to impaire and restrain women as much as possible. Just a critic for the mentality of those old times. This video came in hand for my research and is well-demonstrated - (as much as I could understand, of Jennifer's English) I liked especially the little girl showing how her skirts were cut to mount.

[@TheJaynefrances]

Corsets and side saddle riding did indeed cause Scoliosis in some women.

[@ProudLad87]

WEll, maybe. My mother is fine. She used to ride like this when she was young. This was like 30 years ago.

[@nursegrace7492]

Yeah...just imaging jostling along like that, twisted around, kind of makes my spinal disks shrink!

[@DCUnitedgal]

I was recently at a horse show where where riders were showing side saddle and a judge would inspect the tack and clothes of the rider. Part of the tack that was being judged was a small bag and it's contents. I was hoping to find out more about what the purpose of the side saddle bag would have been, and what type of items it would contain that the riders would be judged on. Thanks for any help:)

[@TheJaynefrances]

The small bag could have been for a 'groom's stirrup' which would get attached for bringing the horse to the Lady & fetching it home again.

[@capriole57]

Love this video - well done. Especially love the comment concerning the corset and heavy boning of the jackets "gives the right silhouette with a nipped-in waist, but unfortunately it gives you a propensity for fainting, particularly if you're going for a nice long gallop.." So true.

[@solitarymacaroni]

I'm so glad this popped up. I thought it was voodoo the way ladies wwee able to ride so effortlessly like this without gripping the horse!

[@erinspence91]

what a beautiful horse!

[@EveningFantasy]

So classy.

[@georgetteconstant9050]

This was most interesting. I've seen illustrations of the platform and understood them to be quite inferior. This tutorial showed me the safety features of side saddle featuring a brace which allows for jumping. And the extra strap to hold the saddle. Once I ran across a side saddle skirt in a second hand clothing shop and still kicking myself for not buying it. I doubt I will have the chance to try this (I no longer ride at all unfortunately ) but love thinking about it. Thank you for posting this.

[@SkepticismIncarnate]

Really helpful! Thank you for your video. I only wish I could try it myself sometime, but hard luck finding those special saddles

[@Cozymansam]

Wow, That was really interesting! I've never really been very exposed to sidesaddle, as I ride saddle seat, but this was really cool to see it broken down.

[@LeannanStair]

Excellent video! Wonderful to hear someone who knows about the history. Have you had your corset tailored to you, madam? I ride side saddle in both stays (pre-1800 corsets) and Victorian/Edwardian corsets, and one has quite less of a "propensity for fainting" if your corset is not ill-fitted haha! They're actually quite comfortable and supportive if they're fitted just for you. Great job! :D

[@EnglishHeritage]

If you're interested in having a go at sidesaddle, you can contact the Sidesaddle Association who will be able to put you in touch with a local instructor. Alternatively English Heritage run "Have a Go" days at Audley End House in Essex. Our Customer Services team can give you more details if you want to get in touch with them on 0870 333 1181.

[@chontellegillies3886]

Amazing!!!

[@nadiaortiz6787]

love the video! i was so curious about this side saddles, thanks for the historic info, it was a surprise for me that the used half-skirts!

[@shahadalmakkivlogs7684]

Does it have any sideeffects ? It seems like it may cause damage to the vertebrae

[@fyfysajoo]

So elegant

[@trionabyrne217]

The other lady is wearing the white riding habit looks a lot more different.

[@trionabyrne72]

Riding a side saddle is quite hard

[@princekrazie]

watch in 140p for victorian video quality

[@ZiggyWhiskerz]

Am i the only one who wouldve been like, "screw this!" and just ridden normally? XD

[@ZiggyWhiskerz]

i am aware but you COULD modify the bloomers breh. i do what i want

[@ZiggyWhiskerz]

breh...no one would know about my knickers...and knowing myself as i do....i would definitely still do as i please.

[@CJihoo]

It's easy to say you'd do as you please back then but the pressure would definitely get to you. Your family would also suffer the consequences of you actions and you'd been scorned and treated like trash. Your parents would be scorned and constantly reminded about how scandalous you are. They would be shunned and not invited by their equals or people ranked higher than they are. These days no one really cares that much about representing their family name, but back then surnames and bloodlines were a very big deal. Your actions reflected on you, your family, and your future children. Unless you were born to privilege, you wouldn't have much money to survive and as a female during that time it was nearly REQUIRED to have a man to support you. Very few ideal husbands would associate themselves with a scandalous girl who did "slutty" things that would bring hardships and social pressure to his good name. Which limited you to men of lower class guaranteeing lifetime of poverty. And poverty back then was MUCH harder than it is now. And even if you did belong to a family with money, if the person in control of the money didn't approve of what you were doing, they could write you out of the will, disown, and cut off your allowance whenever they wanted. "Rebellious" women of that era went through A LOT to get us the freedoms we take for granted everyday.

[@Petaurista13]

Actually in knickers you would be just little less uncomfortable because your "naughty bits" won't make contact with saddle, but inner sides of thighs will. And riding skin-to-leather isn't nice feeling. Plus EVERYONE would know about your knickers as riding normalny in dress would probably make all of us seeing them. OF course in XXI centaruy women can ride in trousers but this isfilm about victorian era ladies.

[@ProudLad87]

My mother rode this way around 30 years ago in her village.

[@kahluasm]

nice bit of history

[@cathleenc6943]

There is a lady in Washington state that is a member of the SCA who made an accurate reproduction of a medieval side-facing planchette saddle. Because she made the seat narrow enough that she didn't have much extra room on the seat when she sat in it, and because her horse is trained to neck rein, she is able to control the horse at a walk, trot, and canter.

[@silverkitty2503]

Respect ...i don't think i could ever manage this.

[@NinjaOfTheKyeboard1]

What muscles are being used to grip the leaping head? Are you squeezing your thighs together, or lifting the leg into the curve of the head?

[@churchpunk21531]

I love this! I am disabled after a car wreck and cannot imagine not being able to ever ride again! Can I ride side saddle , but on my left hip rather on the right? My right hip is to painful to sit on my left side for long, but I can my right? any suggestions? I cannot imagine never being able to ride ever!

[@spacewolfcub]

I hope you found an answer sooner than my response, but in case other people reading the comments have the same question and do not live in the UK (therefore cannot take advantage of the Heritage answer)... I found this: "With more and more people taking up side saddle (women AND men), many are finding that they cannot ride on the nearside due to various physical reasons. I know even a gentle hour walking hack on my nearside saddle is often too much for my hip but unfortunately, vintage off-side and reversible side saddles are few and far between. To meet this demand, Sarah Parry who owns A Bit on the Side Saddle, has taken to designing a new modern off-side side saddle called the Megan, which will be very similar to her nearside Melody model which is coming out this year." www.sidesaddlegirl.co.uk/2013/06/a-bit-on-offside-side-saddle.html

[@psammiad]

Does the horse need to be trained or accustomed to side saddles? It must feel quite strange for the horse having an unbalanced load on top.

[@benbisley]

Very graceful.

[@churchpunk21531]

Thanks! :)

[@chamfrom]

Excellent informative vid - wish she did a series of them! :-)

[@ravensoul695]

This is going to sound a little silly perhaps but I know next to nothing of riding side saddle is it harder to learn to ride? Is it harder to balance or perhaps for those with less a weaker back from say an injury to learn to cross over to side saddle? If that makes sense?Make them feel a bit more secure in the saddle itself I mean would be a way of putting it.

[@marcosmota1094]

Never mind the dying and fainting. I just needed to understand how things worked in ‘Downton Abbey’.

[@BlueskybanditForever]

Victorians are so cool

[@demonicaunderworld7498]

3:05 that horse sounds robotic! (P. S I'm wearing headphones so if you can't hear it that might be why)

[@sarabower1]

Lovely woman very informative

[@MrKmoconne]

It's great we live in modern times and women don't have to ride horses this way except in period films.

[@AnnieOakley379]

Very interesting! Thanks for sharing. =)

[@mmiddl06]

Question: Does the extra weight affect anything? I have heard some saddles are purposely built to compensate...

[@drdeshi]

I came here after watching Princess Diaries 2!

[@Rachellovesanime]

How did ladies ride side saddle during the Regency period? was it the same way?

[@nessagirl1911]

What I want to know is how you get up there and get your right leg over the pommel. I've seen several videos and movies where the woman has someone helping her get up on the horse, but I can never figure out what their legs do because of the skirts....

[@princessakhana]

You can either use portable stepping stairs, or a groom would bend down and lace his fingers together to form a cup to step in. You put the foot closest to the horse in his hands (usually your right foot), and with a good springy jump he helps sort of vault you up until you're sitting sideways on the horse the way she talked about 12th century women doing. (If they heave too hard they tip you right over the horse!) It's good to hold onto the pommel at that point to make sure you're balanced. If you're settled on the horse, swing your one leg over the pommel (again, usually the right) and then lift your left leg into the stirrup. At that point you can squeeze your thighs together, holding onto both pommels between your legs for jumps or unstable spots so you can stay upright.

[@ashleyborthwick9122]

beautiful horse ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

[@juliepointer6775]

I’ve been dying to know what the cues are for lead changes riding side saddle. Someone please enlighten me :)

[@edling7532]

such a good video..but why it have so poor quality? :(

[@lesliekendall5668]

What is the white strap that looks like a "stirrup" for the right foot? I asked a western side saddle maker about why her saddles only had the one (left) stirrup and she thought I was nuts.

[@nessagirl1911]

How do you mount the horse and how do you get your right leg over the pommel?

[@spacewolfcub]

In case you never found it and still want to know, or in case someone reading this later has the same question: they showed how to mount in full costume in another video, and the comments there mention sitting sideways on the saddle first, then swinging the top leg over. kzbin.info/www/bejne/npCUpH-LnL1pgdE

[@love2dance1423]

How does one get into riding side saddle? I would assume that one cannot just simply go into a stable and say "I wanna ride side saddle!". Or could they...?

[@MalloryH10]

Oh and what bit would seem better to use a Pelham or a kimberwhick bit?

[@Lizziebordensaxe420]

I ride hunter/eq and i and i cannot imagine how difficult this may be so i applaud that, though it doesn't seem very comfortable to the horse. The horse looks tense at all times while just standing still. Horses backs are very sensitive and can feel any amount of weight change, i couldn't imagine how uncomfortable it must be for the horse to flat let alone jump with that amount of weight displacement. I don't mean to sound harsh or rude

[@Isobel201]

He looks fine to me just a bit fresh. The rider is sitting centrally on the horse's back

[@KickAssCowgirl27]

Forrestnymph I ride/jump side saddle and it's all about keeping your seat in the center (like English and western), and the seat of SS is in the same position on the horse's back as western saddle. The balance strap displaces the pressure evenly, and our stirrups basically help us keep our lower leg still. All the hold is on the pommel, versus most riders in other disciplines putting pressure in the stirrups to hold their seat. SS riders have to move with the horse's movements, so there's no bouncing on the back like we find in both English and Western riders. 😊 I show Western, cow work, Hunter/Jumper, bareback, dressage and Eng/West side saddle. SS is definitely the hardest of them all and requires hundreds of hours of practice, but it's the most rewarding discipline of them all. 😁

[@nevaehboynton2368]

What’s whit the bit

[@lisawillis8227]

How many bits is on that bridle?

[@ghodalarkiAmeriki]

The bridle seems to be lacking a curb chain or strap, making it effectively a gag bit.

[@coffeecat8826]

I’m curious of what kind of boots they’d wear?

[@AZ0TUR1A]

Is it just me or doesn't riding side saddle seem awfully painful for the horse? I couldn't imagine the feeling of something constantly tugging on one side of my body. It doesn't look balanced and stable to me. That in mind I don't know much about it!

[@MalloryH10]

Where did you get the saddleblanket for your sidesaddle?

[@rebeccahaines1489]

I've always wondered if the ladies could mount independently? I'm sure that they probably needed to use a block, but if there wasn't one available, what then?

[@anastasia10017]

you find a tree stump or a boulder. same as you would today.

[@spacewolfcub]

Their previous video seemed to indicate that boosting a lady up to the saddle was a groom's or showy gentleman's job. kzbin.info/www/bejne/npCUpH-LnL1pgdE

[@skenney8325]

Thanks, I was needing to know!!! So, I guess, to keep the ladies legs "closed?" Lol. :/

[@seektruth24-7]

My back would be broken!

[@TheLovingHorse]

i ride side saddle in a western saddle and i jump ::)

[@hannahheather2004]

How does side saddle not damage the horses back? The weight is mostly on one side. Or is it an even distribution of weight? Please don't be mad, I'm not a troll, I am legitimately asking.

[@hannahheather2004]

Thanks Quietish Soap !!

[@KateLove21]

Quietish Soap I read that when riding sidesaddle was common practice ladies were recommended to alternate sides regularily in order to avoid one leg becoming stronger than the other. This required having 2 saddles which isn't worth it unless you ride like this regularly.

[@TheJaynefrances]

This would only be true for very dedicated side saddle riders, who hunted regularly, in which case they would have a saddle made which could be changed about to afford either side usage, I have only ever seen one such saddle and it came from Ireland so we must assume it was owned by a very keen Huntress!

[@thumperinasworldYT]

1:57

[@juliecorn7165]

wow

[@WritingAlice]

Great video!! But I suspect it's hundreds of years old... not thousands. :-)

[@joshuafraser4831]

Cavalia horses

[@CuteCatFaith]

Why should she?

[@AnonymousXIII]

I assume, from what I'm looking at, that women didn't post while trotting, then?

[@luckyhorseshoes4]

I like it and all, but if a lady/ man was falling from a side saddle they would most likely be dragged because of the position there legs are in under the pommel

[@luckyhorseshoes4]

***** yup I was also wondering why she didn't explain

[@jhowardsupporter]

no she said a full skirt could get caught on the saddle. the open back skirt wont get get caught. freestyle motocross in case u were wondering. very very dangerous. gotta learn side saddle take off n landing. land from 3 stories in side saddle. can break your spine, can die. very dangerous. and no one will teach us.

[@TheJaynefrances]

The point of riding side saddle is it makes it difficult to fall off, which to a Lady of past times would seem infinitely better than the alternative, and if by some accident, she did fall, then it would be disastrous under any circumstance,either astride or aside..the thinking being that women were not strong enough to use grip to stay aloft when riding astride!

[@saulgoodman2071]

Now I can ride like Drake

[@nickdrake2242]

O so they cheat there way by having the dress cover the leg grasper thingy.

[@carolinehowell5203]

Seeing your body turned to the left, in order to talk to the camera on your near side is both unsightly and incorrect. Always speak to people or have things passed to you from the off side, so keeping your right shoulder back and your torso square to the front. My teacher, born at the turn of the 20th century taught me that from day one. Your jumps look good, but I’d have liked you to have stressed that you only grip the leaping head when jumping or when ‘emergency grip’ is required. Under all other circumstances you should have a hand’s width of space between your thigh and the leaping head. Far too many people think you stay on a SS by gripping both pommels all the time. The right leg and foot keep you on securely and the left knee does the hard work of pushing into the saddle flap to keep up on top. Riders so rarely stress that unlike astride, the stirrup carries very little weight and you never press down into it. None of my teacher’s pupils were allowed a stirrup until they’d developed a firm seat without one.

[@mercedescl]

Much safer for the testicles.

[@Justme77400]

You have a good point. Men should ride like this. LOL

[@atmo-sphere6799]

Wow, I just realized that.

[@Exploxer25]

Just tuck and straddle

[@annettefournier9655]

If I couldn't ride astride I wouldn't ride at all. I would have been wearing men's breaches and riding privately if I were of means, very early in the morning so no one saw me.

[@beloit22]

Not what I had in mind.....

[@trionabyrne72]

These riding habit special dresses for ladies are really beautiful, in India the british ladies wear white riding habit.

[@janiczkahell]

Am I the only one who think it's bad for the horse's back during jumping? You even can't do a hunt seat in that saddle.

[@lavenderflowersfall280]

Yeesh I know it was 9 years ago but the quality is terrible really cool history lesson though 🧐👍

[@trionabyrne72]

The other girl is wearing the white riding habit, they wear white in India.

[@fuzzyx2face]

Looks like it would hurt your back

[@P3891]

That’s where you’re wrong!

[@pitbulls4life141]

I would give you more credit if you weren't using that very large bit.