Anyone out there ride Side Saddle? [Archive]

GilbertsCreeksideAcres

Nov. 17, 2008, 08:44 PM

When I was young and stupid(er), I would sometimes put my right stirrup over on the left side of my English saddle and ride "side saddle." One time I urged my extremely patient horse over a low stone wall that way and after we landed I lost my balance and went head over teacup. The horse, who was normally quite a reliable character, decided he had enough of me and ran all the way home. I had to follow on foot, about two miles, up hill and down dale. I still remember yelling his name at his departing, dun-striped rump, and that hopeless feeling.

I wasn't hurt, did learn a lesson and that was the last of my interest in riding side saddle.

linquest

Nov. 17, 2008, 09:59 PM

if you post on FOL (http://foxhunters.org/), Rhonda will reply, she hunts with us (ONBH; Concord MA) and is our expert in all things side-saddle. this is her posting signature :eek::eek: :
Sidesaddle Hall of Famer
Five-time US National Sidesaddle Champion
SSA A Instructor, Panel Judge (R)
ARIA Level III Instructor (ss, reining, riding to hounds)

Wait, can she do reining sidesaddle? I'd pay to see someone ride out a left turn spin or a sliding stop sidesaddle without falling off :lol:

If you search the hunting forum, there are several posters here who have "Sidesaddle" X as their username.

dogontired

Nov. 17, 2008, 10:05 PM

here's the info re: sidesaddle instructors in Tx:

Texas
Beverly Peters
10925 Tegeler Rd., Brenham, TX 77833
(979) 836-7279

this is off of the International SideSaddle Organization (ISSO) and their website is www.sidesaddle.com. Excellent organization, lots of info. Have attended several sidesaddle clinics at Gladstone/USET headquarters in NJ with Roger Philpot, am saving up for a sidesadde. My current horse is a warmblood and jumps like one, am aiming to get my green t'bird to a point where he is able to do sidesaddle. Was absolutely stunned to discover that I felt more secure riding sidesaddle than astride, have ridden hunter and jumper for 35+ years. Am looking forward to affording my first sidesaddle.

helent623

Nov. 17, 2008, 10:34 PM

I hear Texas Ladies Aside is fairly active, but have no firsthand experience with them. I'm waiting on ss number 4- trying to find one to fit can be a bit of a pain. :) I was hoping to have everything figured out by the start of the hunt season. Oh well. If you already have a secure seat and hands, riding ss will be a breeze.

equusvilla

Nov. 18, 2008, 09:40 AM

You guys ROCK! Thanks!! I ride saddleseat - and was told that I am 1 step ahead since I am already used to sitting straight up and further back on a horse. I hope that is true.

MyGiantPony

Nov. 18, 2008, 10:02 AM

I wasn't hurt, did learn a lesson and that was the last of my interest in riding side saddle.

Well....try it in an actual sidesaddle and you may find you enjoy it! :lol:

MyGiantPony

Nov. 18, 2008, 10:04 AM

Wait, can she do reining sidesaddle? I'd pay to see someone ride out a left turn spin or a sliding stop sidesaddle without falling off :lol:

if you join the sidesaddle yahoo group I think someone just recently posted her reining pattern video. I haven't had a chance to look, so I'm not 100% certain.

MyGiantPony

Nov. 18, 2008, 10:05 AM

You guys ROCK! Thanks!! I ride saddleseat - and was told that I am 1 step ahead since I am already used to sitting straight up and further back on a horse. I hope that is true.

Are you looking to ride saddleseat aside or hunt seat aside? Two different saddles.

equusvilla

Nov. 18, 2008, 12:09 PM

Are you looking to ride saddleseat aside or hunt seat aside? Two different saddles.

I am going to guess and say saddleseat aside. Can you show me the difference in the saddles? I have never seen a side saddle with a cutback. Please remember - I am starting from gound -0- here ...so don't assume that I know anything! ha ha.. Thanks!

SidesaddleRider

Nov. 18, 2008, 12:48 PM

All of the good "modern" sidesaddles have a cutback. Think Owen, Champion & Wilton, Mayhew, Whippy, Martin & Martin, Knoud, etc. If they don't have the cutback, they are really OLD, usually pre-1910, and usually also have very narrow trees, so don't fit many of today's modern horses.

Hunt seat saddles are built with a steel-reinforced tree for jumping (called the hunting bar), and have more padding in the panels.

Saddleseat saddles do not have a hunt bar, have less padding, and are designed for closer contact. They often have a much smaller offside flap. They are commonly referred to as "Park" sidesaddles.

A lot of the Martin & Martin sidesaddles were park saddles, so if one is looking at them for hunt purposes, they need to be careful to check that the tree is reinforced.

I'll look around for pictures to show you the difference.

Here is a park sidesaddle:
http://www.americansidesaddleassociation.org/articles/photos/park2.jpg

Here is a hunt sidesaddle:
http://www.americansidesaddleassociation.org/articles/photos/c&w.jpg

Note the difference in the amount of stuffing in the panels. Also, many times the Park sidesaddles have leather bottoms, while it is more common to have linen on a hunt sidesaddle (although you will find leather too!).

equusvilla

Nov. 18, 2008, 02:25 PM

Wow - thank you so much. I have been looking over all the information you gave me - as well as the Cherry Blossom web sight. I ride American Saddlebreds - but mine are not the extremely narrow body types - as I prefere the 5 gaited (more muscular build) I know if I did this - I could introduce a side saddle class into our local shows. I really think it would catch on.

I have really enjoyed exploring the hunt scene of side saddle too...forgive me if this sounds completely stupid - but there is such an old world elegance about it! Shhh - don't tell ..but I used to go hacking out in the woods with one of my former pleasure Saddlebreds. That boy would jump anything!

Thank you again for all of your kind advise. If you happen to think of anything else - just add it here as I will check back.

midkniggit

Nov. 18, 2008, 03:10 PM

Check out http://www.americansidesaddleassociation.org/ and Texas Sidesaddle Riders (http://www.vanbasti.com/tsr/)

Sidesaddle is a blast! I hope you try it and stick around :)

equusvilla

Nov. 18, 2008, 04:42 PM

I only wish I knew someone locally..although I do plan on calling the woman listed above in Brenham. That is only about an hour away from me.

I was hoping that maybe one or 2 people would answer my request for information. I am truly overwhelmed by your response. Thank you - thank you - thank you!

I have an older show mare that I could start on and I also have a rescued Saddlebred who, with some practice - I believe would be a very showy side saddle mount.

Tiger Horse

Nov. 18, 2008, 05:20 PM

I am overly facinated about learning how to ride side saddle and wanted some information, advise, stories - or anything any one might have to offer up about the subject. TIA!!

I do, I do!! Love, love, love it . . . you've already gotten lots of good advice. I will say that it can be challenging to find the right saddle - for both you and your horse! Well worth it though . . .

equusvilla

Nov. 19, 2008, 09:53 AM

linquest

Nov. 19, 2008, 10:05 AM

Make sure to check your charity tack sales and estate sales! This summer, I went to one of those "rent a table and sell your used tack" sales. There was more than one table with a sidesaddle or two, people selling ones that had been passed down but they were too scared to try riding sidesaddle. I saw some for sale from $150-300 :eek: I was really tempted to pick one up but just couldn't justify it without owning a horse.

JSwan

Nov. 19, 2008, 10:22 AM

A local antique store had an old sidesaddle in the window - as a decoration. I always hoped someone bought it and restored it.

One of the highlights of the year is seeing ladies sidesaddle classes. I'm like a little kid - agog. These composed, elegant and refined ladies riding lovely horses... it's just a real treat and they make it seem effortless!

I'm curious if any of you have ever seen an off-side sidesaddle, I either read or was told that the off-side side saddle was created for veterans (I think from WWI) that had lost a limb. But I've never seen one, nor seen a reference to one.

midkniggit

Nov. 19, 2008, 10:30 AM

Lillian Chaudhary (http://www.snowcrest.net/sadlmakr/) is an excellent resource and always happy to share her knowledge.

Also, check with Marti at Hundred Oaks (http://hundredoaksinc.com/). She takes used saddles on consignment, and sells newer ones that are decently made.

midkniggit

Nov. 19, 2008, 10:37 AM

I'm curious if any of you have ever seen an off-side sidesaddle, I either read or was told that the off-side side saddle was created for veterans (I think from WWI) that had lost a limb. But I've never seen one, nor seen a reference to one.

I've seen a picture of a woman jumping in an off-side, and I know of one that has converted a Charra sidesaddle. On the Hoosier Ladies Aside page (http://www.hoosierladiesaside.com/saddles.html) the third picture down shows a really nifty dual horned saddle to be ridden from either side.

http://www.sidesaddle.com/reference_pages/saddletype.htm has an off-side western sidesaddle about 2/3 of the way down the page.

SmartAlex

Nov. 19, 2008, 10:47 AM

Julie, when I was a kid, there was a gal who showed her saddle type horse aside in saddleseat pleasure classes. It was elegant and beautiful.
She let me borrow it one day for my big hunter, and I had a ball. You just need a horse that will take rein cues or a whip tap for a left canter lead, and you will be all set.
I felt very secure riding aside. Of course, I had been trying to do it bareback and with regular saddles for years :yes: but I never did try to sling the right stirrup over.

You can also ask attafox over on Trot. She believe she shows side saddle.

JSwan

Nov. 19, 2008, 10:56 AM

Thank you! What lovely saddles. I liked the Goodnight one - it's always nice to know the provenance. I'm pretty ignorant on this subject but have been happy to remain on the sidelines, admiring and clapping. :)

I've seen a picture of a woman jumping in an off-side, and I know of one that has converted a Charra sidesaddle. On the Hoosier Ladies Aside page (http://www.hoosierladiesaside.com/saddles.html) the third picture down shows a really nifty dual horned saddle to be ridden from either side.

http://www.sidesaddle.com/reference_pages/saddletype.htm has an off-side western sidesaddle about 2/3 of the way down the page.

Bogie

Nov. 19, 2008, 11:16 AM

She is amazing.

I watched her canter through a field earlier this season and she looked just like a hunting print!

if you post on FOL (http://foxhunters.org/), Rhonda will reply, she hunts with us (ONBH; Concord MA) and is our expert in all things side-saddle. this is her posting signature :eek::eek: :
Sidesaddle Hall of Famer
Five-time US National Sidesaddle Champion
SSA A Instructor, Panel Judge (R)
ARIA Level III Instructor (ss, reining, riding to hounds)

SidesaddleRider

Nov. 19, 2008, 02:45 PM

I'm curious if any of you have ever seen an off-side sidesaddle, I either read or was told that the off-side side saddle was created for veterans (I think from WWI) that had lost a limb. But I've never seen one, nor seen a reference to one.

Yes. I'm on the hunt for one. I know of a lady in NJ who has one, but she's not letting go of it yet. A lady in Upperville also has one, but she never uses it, it just hangs in her tack room.

Off-sides are VERY rare. Think of them as like .05% of all old-name sidesaddles. There was one on Ebay UK a few months ago that I was bidding on. It probably needed about $850+ worth of work on it. Unfortunately I was outbid, and it sold for $5500 if I remember correctly, far more than I could afford for it.

SidesaddleRider

Nov. 19, 2008, 03:02 PM

I have to admit that my favorite bit of information was when dogontired said " Was absolutely stunned to discover that I felt more secure riding sidesaddle than astride"...and am hoping that I find this to be true as well!!!

If anyone has the time - could you look at this:

http://www.sidesaddle.com/store/saddles/saddles.html

and tell me what saddle you think might be the best for me? I will be using it on Saddlebreds and riding Park Saddleseat -
Compared to other breeds:
They have medium or long backs
They usually have high withers
They naturally hold their head higher up and back
My horses have meduim sized bodies, not uber thin like some Saddlebreds.

If the saddle fits you and the horse, riding aside is absolutely more secure than astride. :)

Before looking at saddles, you need to know:
1. What length/width seat are you? http://www.sidesaddleinfo.com/saddles_fitting/measuring.html
2. Do you prefer wide or narrow pommels? (there are VERY distinct differences in feel between the two. People can usually only stand to ride in one or the other.)
3. Do you like leather or doeskin seats? Leather can be quite slippery, and usually requires full-seat britches, whereas doeskin gives you more "stick".

Different type saddles ride very differently. For example, you might hate Martins and Martins, Whippys, and Mayhews, but love Champion & Wiltons and Owens. Or, you like one particular Mayhew, but not any others. Saddle fit for you and horse is essential for a comfortable ride. It should only take you about a max of 5 minutes at a walk-trot to know if you are comfortable in that saddle or not. If you aren't there isn't anything that is going to change that, and you'll need to try a different saddle. Also, many times you can take a smaller saddle if it is an Owen, because the seats are much flatter, whereas the older saddles with the slight dip need to be bigger (the same way you'd need a bigger size astride saddle for a deep seat versus a flat seat).

The only problem I forsee is if you are tall, and you're riding a horse with a long back. The sidesaddle automatically places you further back than an astride saddle, and is much heavier. If the back of the horse is long, and you are using a long saddle, it is putting a lot of pressure on a very weak area, and will hurt the horse. (so another reason rider/horse saddle fit is so important)

I would recommend checking out Sidesaddle Heaven's available saddles. http://www.sidesaddleheaven.com/pages/saleslist.htm. The park saddles she has available are # 279, 224, and maybe 283. Sue Tobin owns it, and she is VERY knowledgeable.

equusvilla

Nov. 19, 2008, 03:29 PM

Humm - well I am not that tall - just under 5'6"..so I don't think that will be a problem. Saddleseat saddles sit further back - so the horses I have mentioned are already used to a saddle that is further behind the withers. Now - when I ride astride, I actually hate doe skin because it interfers with the natural motion of posting a trot (at least it feels that way for me) and it grips too much...but I don't know if that has anything to do with a side saddle or not. I am thinking I would prefer a longer saddle with a 'rim' over one that is shorter and flatter...but that is just in theory. I know nothing about the pomels though!

Sidesaddlerider - thank you so much for the new web address for used Saddles. I am going to contact her and request a couple of pictures.

Nov. 19, 2008, 04:03 PM

I'm curious if any of you have ever seen an off-side sidesaddle, I either read or was told that the off-side side saddle was created for veterans (I think from WWI) that had lost a limb. But I've never seen one, nor seen a reference to one.

I think that they were always a special order but they were around before WWI. I may be wrong but if you find an off side with a squared off cantle I will bet you a bag of racehorse oats it was made for a gentleman.

If the people ordering had more money than they knew what to do with then they would order for their daighter a matched pair of side saddles so she would not become stronger on one side than the other.

If you can find Nick Creatons currant email he is has been doing research on london saddlemakers and he might be able to give you facts not hearsay as I am right now.

I did hear that George Washington rode sidesaddle in his later years due to arthritis in his hips but have not been able to verify this.

SidesaddleRider

Nov. 19, 2008, 07:51 PM

Now - when I ride astride, I actually hate doe skin because it interfers with the natural motion of posting a trot (at least it feels that way for me) and it grips too much...but I don't know if that has anything to do with a side saddle or not. I am thinking I would prefer a longer saddle with a 'rim' over one that is shorter and flatter...but that is just in theory. I know nothing about the pomels though!

You don't post in a sidesaddle unless you absolutely have to (it's not very comfortable), you sit the trot, so I guess you'll just have to try both to decide what you like. ;) I personally can't stand leather seats and narrow pommels, but then I jump a lot. I think the majority of park sidesaddles I've seen were pretty much all leather.

You want a saddle that fits you. While you CAN ride in one that is a bit too long, you NEVER want to ride in one too short. Sidesaddles develop a "sweet spot" in the seat after length of use, from your seatbones. Unless your seatbones match the spot, you'll constantly be fighting the saddle, as it will be trying to put you in the correct spot.

cowgirljenn

Nov. 19, 2008, 08:34 PM

Equusvilla –

Where are you at? I’m outside of Houston (Alvin) and if the mud ever dries up and I can find my SS in the storage unit, you are welcome to come try it out on my patient gelding. He’s a good guy and wouldn’t mind giving you a spin aside.

And answering a few other questions –

“Wait, can she do reining sidesaddle? I'd pay to see someone ride out a left turn spin or a sliding stop sidesaddle without falling off.”

Yes, Rhonda has done reining aside (although only in non-NRHA shows as they don’t allow SS). My email list, sidesaddle@yahoogroups.com, also has a member who has done some reining aside.

“I hear Texas Ladies Aside is fairly active, but have no firsthand experience with them.”

They are active – although they’re a Peruvian Paso group. They do have a SS clinic every year (this year it was in October) for new SS riders of all types of horses. They’re also pretty generous ladies – when I still lived in College Station and was just trying to learn about SS, they welcomed me to come watch their practices and even put me up on one of the horses since I had never ridden a Peruvian before.

“I have to admit that my favorite bit of information was when dogontired said " Was absolutely stunned to discover that I felt more secure riding sidesaddle than astride"...and am hoping that I find this to be true as well!!!”

It is true… once you find the right saddle! When I first started, my SS didn’t fit my mare and kept rolling to one side. I wasn’t enjoying that at all. BUT when I got Elvis, it fit him and I felt a lot more secure. And I know a ton of people who feel more comfortable and secure riding aside than astride!

“I'm curious if any of you have ever seen an off-side sidesaddle, I either read or was told that the off-side side saddle was created for veterans (I think from WWI) that had lost a limb. But I've never seen one, nor seen a reference to one.”

Yep. I knew a woman who had an artificial leg that made it uncomfortable for her to ride astride or in a regular sidesaddle. So Lillian Chaudhary made her an off-side sidesaddle. There are others out there for people with similar issues, too. They’re less common than regular sidesaddles and can be hard to find.

horsepix76

Nov. 20, 2008, 08:42 AM

I ride aside. :) Here are some pictures of my mare and I going aside:

http://picasaweb.google.com/horsepix/Jewel#5014418338322716882

http://picasaweb.google.com/horsepix/Jewel#5013431943248615266

http://picasaweb.google.com/horsepix/Jewel#5013435495186569106

And here is a video of us from a couple years ago at a horse fair demo (my mare had only been ridden aside 3 times when this was shot and I was fairly new to it as well):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyJfhX-wZ8s

equusvilla

Nov. 20, 2008, 10:17 AM

Horsepix - thank you so much for sharing your pictures and video. I would have never guessed that you had not ridden ss for a long time if you had not told me. You looked beautiful! BTW - do you normally sit the trot or post it?...or either..

Cowgirljenn - I actually live in a small town called Plantersville - NW of Houston...but to get the chance to experience ss, I would gladly drive to the moon! Thank you so much for the offer!

Now for some bad news... One of my Corgis was hit by a car last night and although he is still alive - I am just heartbroken. He was not run over - but hit in the head..so it will be a while until we find out what the damage is. He came home with me from the vet and we had a rough night ...but thankfully no seizures. I am leaving work today at 2PM to take him back to the vet for more meds and x-rays. The doc seems to think - no skull injuries - but a possible jaw fracture. His body and limbs are fine...but he is not the dog I have always had ...he is different. He does not respond to his name. I had to almost remind him that he can walk when I put him outside to pee this morning (which he did not do) and he walked like a drunk and fell down. I pray that it is mostly the meds and that in a few days my KC - will be his same ole happy self.

KC is an indoor dog that I let out to go to the bathroom. He must have seen something that caused him to go out to the road... By the time I get home from work it is pitch black outside and with no other lights beside the ones on the barn, once he gets about 5 feet away from me - I can not see him. I knew something was wrong though when he did not come to greet the female Corgi when I let her out.

I posted a picture of him on my blog address below.

SidesaddleRider

Nov. 20, 2008, 10:37 AM

Oh, no! That's terrible. Jingles for your boy. :sadsmile:

If something happened to my corgi, I would be inconsolable. That's why, when it is dark out, I only take him out on the leash, as he LOVES to chase deer, and I'm terrified of him getting hit by a car as the deer like to cross the road right in front of the house. I hope to get that invisible fence installed one of these days.

cowgirljenn

Nov. 20, 2008, 12:23 PM

Oh I am so sorry to read about your Corgi! You guys will be in my thoughts...

When things calm down if you want to travel this way sometime, send me a PM and we'll figure it out. :)

equusaside

Nov. 21, 2008, 07:22 AM

"If anyone has the time - could you look at this:
http://www.sidesaddle.com/store/saddles/saddles.html"

I wouldn't be shocked to find that the Martin & Martin or the Mayhew that's out for repairs work. In the 30s, M&Ms were popular with the Saddlebred show folks. Linda, who runs the shop, is really helpful to talk to, and she can talk you through taking a back tracing so she can check it against her stock to see what might work. You don't really need a different saddle for park seat (or dressage, or cross country...), it's one of the things I love about sidesaddle. If it's called a "park saddle" it probably just isn't reinforced for jumping, but frequently doesn't look different on the outside.

For those tempted to pick up a sidesaddle because it's cheap, I refer you to here first:
http://members.cox.net/sidesaddle/papers/ssbuytp2.pdf

Good luck - and remember, the hunt is part of the fun!

equusaside

Nov. 21, 2008, 07:48 AM

http://www.sidesaddle.com/reference_pages/saddletype.htm has an off-side western sidesaddle about 2/3 of the way down the page.

I've actually had the pleasure to ride in that particular offside saddle! As it's a restored catalog-type saddle (I guess you could call it), it's a bit smaller than most of the English ones you see on the east coast. Being short has it's advantages. :yes: I had thought it would feel more like starting over. Instead my legs took to it much like they do to a normal sidesaddle. The real confusions for me were trying to pick up the saddle, mounting, and dismounting - it was all backward! That and I kept instinctively putting the whip in my right hand, and wondering why I felt a bounce across my legs, and why everyone was pointing and laughing. :)

I took a lesson, and the instructor kept laughing and saying the offside was playing games with her mind. We had a lot of fun with it.

The saddle itself had a schweet restoration done. The leather is high quality and just the right sort of grippy, the stitching and other workmanship is amazing, and it's very comfortable. The owner said they decided to go with the nearly white seat because the original was buff, and she and the saddler figured it would age to a less white shade.

equusvilla

Nov. 21, 2008, 10:58 AM

Equusaside - I really enjoyed reading that article you shared. I will take every precaution before I buy a saddle - that is for sure! I think I have enough good references that will not lead me astray when I do decide to buy one.

My daughter bought me a book entitled Side Saddle For Beginners. She told me it was an early Christmas gift...but I guarantee that once it gets here, it will be well read way before Christmas!

sadlmakr

Nov. 25, 2008, 06:25 PM

This is an interesting thread. I stumbled onto it when I was searching Google for sidesaddles.
Yes there are Western sidesaddles and also off side sidesaddles and also reversable sidesaddles.
I have a Western tree for a 21 inch off side sidesaddle. I have a tree from an 1898 reversable sidesaddle also.
There are many interesting sidesaddles still out in old barns and sheds.
they can be reworked to be used again.
Even if they have broken trees often they can be repaired or at least the fittings and
leaping horns and bases can be salvaged off them.
I recently bought an old Western that was open in the back and the seat was made suspended out of leather off a rim of wood on iron.
It was done that way to kee the horse's back cool.
Get in touch with any of the sidesaddle groups and get some advice from the more seasoned riders. You will need a mentor to help you get the right saddle and get to the meets and events where you can get acquainted wit others in the sport.
It will save you alot of trial and error.
Most horses don't mind the sidesaddle as long as it fits them and doesn't pinch their withers.
It is alot of fun and easy on the body. Our grandmothers knew what they were doing. They just had everyone fooled into thinking it was hard to do.
It's not.
Regards,
sadlmakr

equusvilla

Nov. 25, 2008, 11:13 PM

I realized a nightmare last Saturday night when I had to put my wonderful Saddlebred mare down. She was almost 22 years young and I showed her until she was 20. This was the mare that I was going to trust to help me learn side saddle. My heart is just broken... Apparently she had a growth in her intestine that completely cut off the blood supply to her small intestine. I have never witnessed a horse colic so quickly and so severly. Thank God I was there and was able to get her to the vet quickly..otherwise she would have suffered a horrific death

linquest

Nov. 26, 2008, 12:13 AM

I'm so sorry EV :( Godspeed to your mare.

SidesaddleRider

Nov. 26, 2008, 07:45 AM

Oh that's terrible! I'm so sorry. :(

How is your corgi doing?

equusvilla

Nov. 28, 2008, 07:35 PM

Thank you for the kind sentiments. My heart is still so sore. I felt as though I was wearing a mask on Thanksgiving with a smile on it... I miss her so.

KC the Corgi is doing so much better. He now responds to his name and moves as though he is no longer in pain. Mentally though he is still a bit off.

equusvilla

Dec. 31, 2008, 01:58 PM

OMG! I bought a sidesaddle! It is an early 1900's C&W and I purchased it after what felt like a million e-mails with the owner....Only one worry - It may be too narrow to fit my boy - but if it is, I will look into doing a possible trade or put it on consignment with one of the side saddle brokers.

Edited to add: "My Boy" is the rescued Saddlebred Gelding I just received transfer papers on. His name is Chastain and although I do not know this horse as I did my Blondie - I am very excited to make the journey of learning with him.

Now - back to the saddle -
It is not a forward seat - good for me since I am only interested in showing and flat land riding ...but looks to be in beautiful condition for its age. Pretty sure it will need to be reflocked though..

Thank you ladies for all of your wonderful advice!