How do women not fall off the horse when they ride side saddle?

Question

I'm watching a movie and there are women riding side saddle. How do they not fall off when they go fast?

Answer 1

I ride side saddle in civil war reenactments. The way the saddles done your leg kind of "locks" in the side of the saddle. If you look at a picture of one it will make alot more sense. You have to also maintain very good balance but it isn't that hard to stay on when you go fast, just make sure you put alot of pressure into the wings on the saddle holding one leg. Hope this makes some sense X.x;; I'm not explaining it very well.

Answer 2

They got it right with balance and the 'horn.'  On a regular sidesaddle the horn is basically straight up in the air and about 5 or 6 inches high so the back of your knee can grip it.  [At least on the ones I've seen]

A sidesaddle can also come with a 'jumping horn'.  Designed for a better grip when jumping your horse...or faster movements.

I've ridden synthetic western saddles in a sidesaddle position.  I just took the stirrup off one side, laid the flap over the saddle seat, sat on it and hooked my knee around the horn.  Worked fine for a temporary thing...I was in a parade.  That's the photo on my avatar, even though it's tooooooo small to see.

Answer 3

if you have a western saddle hold on to the neck on the saddle if you have a English saddle hold on to the rains.

Answer 4

Just like any style of successful riders, they have developed feel, timing, and balance.  They have a good seat.

Answer 5

1. they're trained in this type of riding.

2. the saddle is made for this type of riding.

3. most the other answers are really good answers.

i've seen a show class where they had side saddle, it was intersting to watch, but i dont see myself doing it any time soon.

Answer 6

The saddleused when riding sidesaddle has a place to rest your top leg.

Answer 7

The way the saddle is built it has a hooked part that the knee fits under and therefore secures the rider to the saddle. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/co...

Answer 8

I Ride sidesaddle and how the ladies stay on is easy. Sidesaddles have this curved piece that the bottom leg in the stirrup can press against if the rider lift up on the stirrup a bit (like flexing the thigh muscle) then the leg on top rests in this curved up piece. When they feel like they are going to fall the push up in the stirrup and tighten their grip with the top leg. its amazingly secure! You basically lock yourself in place when u do that. thats how they do not fall off.

Answer 9

the saddles are built to hold you in place. There is a "horn" like piece that you "wrap" your leg around. It is just like a seat and VERY sturdy! Hope your movie's good!

Answer 10

They learn to balance.  It just takes a while to learn.  It can be learned though.  there is one lady who jumps side saddle (2'6) on the A circuit and wins!!

Answer 11

It has a big "horn" to hook your right leg over

http://www.asti-equestrian.co.uk/saddler...

Apparently it's impossible to fall off ( bet I could find a way though !)

There was a display at my daughter's college and these 2 girls were jumping big ( like 4ft) jumps sidesaddle - it was amazing.

I'd love to try it.

Answer 12

they have built up there leg muscles especially there thighs majorly women in mexico still do it

Answer 13

I have an old old side saddle, I plan on getting it redone.  But the others are right on the left side of the saddle you have your normal length of stirrup for your left leg,  The seat of the saddle allows for the right leg to "hang" over a support that is sort of hooked.. thus when the rider is in the saddle both legs are on the left with the right leg higher and Bent as if it would be if you were in a chair.  Balance is a key issue here, and of course practise.  I have seen endurance riders using the side saddles, it is quite a talent being able to race in the saddles.

Answer 14

They are wearing long dresses right?

they hide there foot under there dress and they use a fake leg on the other side! otherwise they are just really...good... or they have some ability that no human has! haha!

well now you know!:-)))