Why do women sit astride a horse?

Question

Surely it makes more sense for the man to do this due to our danglies.

Answer 1

Init

Answer 2

because it's more comfortable and safer.

Answer 3

I should have thot the opposite applies, as riding can be painful to the balls of an inexperienced male rider.

Answer 4

Since the 'emancipation' of women soon after WW-One, it became fashionable for women to ride bicycles and also to wear Jhodpurs and ride astride their horses, man-fashion.

The only person I know of who insisted in riding side-saddle was HM Queen - that was for public purposes anyway such as when she used to ride a horse as Colonel in Chief of the Footguards.  I think in private at Windsor she just rode astride.  Saw here ride out with Ronnie Regan on TV back then.  

Here's the most famous B-Movie actor and President of the US with the wife on horseback : -

RONALD REAGAN

President Reagan & Mrs. Reagan horseback riding at Rancho Del Cielo. ... Together,

Ronnie and Nancy rode the trails of El Rancho del Cielo and marveled over ...

http://www.wiwfarm.com/reagan.html

And, here's how a Queen rides her horse : -

Queen Elizabeth II - Trooping the Colour Ceremony - Buckingham ...

1963: HM the Queen riding side-saddle as she returns to Buckingham Palace, London,

after attending the Trooping the Colour ceremony on Horse Guards Parade.

http://prints.paphotos.com/pictures_6804... - Cached