Sidesaddle equipment question

[equusvilla]

I need to get a more secure ‘seat’ while posting the trot with my American Saddlebred so I can show him to his best ability. My sidesaddle does not have a suede seat like some do, and I tend to slip a bit…nothing dangerous, but enough to know that I am holding the horse back…sooo I was wondering if there is something kin to a ‘tush cush’ that can be used with a sidesaddle. I do not want to buy a tush cush…because they are padded and my sidesaddle is already taller than I need it. I only want the suede - not the cushion. I do not want to have my saddle altered as someday I hope to not need this ‘crutch’. I am a beginner (obviously!)

Thanks!!!

I posted here because I think more aside riders read this thread than any other.

[MyGiantPony]

Is it a park saddle that you are using for gaited classes? You’re wearing Kentucky jodphurs and a day coat, IOW?

[equusvilla]

[QUOTE=MyGiantPony;4500847]
Is it a park saddle that you are using for gaited classes? You’re wearing Kentucky jodphurs and a day coat, IOW?[/QUOTE]

No - I wanted to get a Martin and Martin Park saddle (does not sit as high as some of the others)…but I could not afford one that was in as good of condition as I wanted… I bought a Champion and Wilton. It has a leather seat.

Actually right now I have been showing in non-rated ASB shows …so my ‘outfits’ are a bit costume/historic. I would not use the traditional hunt seat habits in any of my shows.

[MyGiantPony]

You can certainly have a suede seat added to your saddle, but I’d talk to some of the other girls that ride gaited horses first.

Since you do post, I wouldn’t want to be stuck too tight!

[equusvilla]

[QUOTE=MyGiantPony;4501148]
You can certainly have a suede seat added to your saddle, but I’d talk to some of the other girls that ride gaited horses first.

Since you do post, I wouldn’t want to be stuck too tight![/QUOTE]

ha ha…So True!!! That is why I want one that is ‘removable’. Maybe I could try and fashion one out of Ultrasuede…just to try it. It just cannot look tacky!

[MyGiantPony]

I’d try something like saddle tite before I’d risk doing something to the saddle.

[equusvilla]

[QUOTE=MyGiantPony;4501212]
I’d try something like saddle tite before I’d risk doing something to the saddle.[/QUOTE]

Tried it…

I could tell a difference when I wore my wool skirt…but not with one that was raw silk!

[Brigit]

What about converting your skirts to aprons and wearing full seat breeches so you’ve got some “stickiness”? Or a patch on the skirt where you’ll sit so it doesn’t show yet helps you from sliding?

[equusvilla]

[QUOTE=Brigit;4501379]
What about converting your skirts to aprons and wearing full seat breeches so you’ve got some “stickiness”? Or a patch on the skirt where you’ll sit so it doesn’t show yet helps you from sliding?[/QUOTE]

My instructor suggested this…but we are worried that :

1. it might be noticable with the silk skirt since the fabric is so fine and moves a lot more than wool.

2. If we cut the fabric and it does not work…the skirt is ruined…

3. I might be able to ‘baste’ an ultrasuede patch onto the skirt and try it before I actually sew it on…but again - once it is sewn on…it will either work or most likely the skirt is ruined…

[Brigit]

Hmmm I see what you mean. Could you find some really cheap fabric that’s similar to your good skirt and try making an apron or a patch for the bum as a trial run?

Another though… Y’know those cheap gloves they sell in the wintertime with the “pimples” on them? What if you got a bottle of that stuff and made little “dots” on the skirt where you’d sit, it’d be a lot less noticeable than a big old patch on the bum and the material would still flow and flex normally. Might be something to try on a trail run skirt first too though.

[Renae]

[QUOTE=equusvilla;4501298]
Tried it…

I could tell a difference when I wore my wool skirt…but not with one that was raw silk![/QUOTE]

I know you said you are using period costumes, but I would consider switching to aprons instead of skirts (perhaps your current skirts could be altered into aprons) and riding with full seat breeches or jods (and possibly also using guter sitz or saddle tite). I’ve only dabbled in side saddle riding but all of the arabian people I know who show in that division use full seat breeches or jods and an apron.

[equusvilla]

I can get new riding outfits…but right now $$ is tight and I am trying to use what I have. I am scared to cut the silk skirt - because it would be ruined if it does not work. If I decided not to ever ride in it again…it is so beautiful, I could still just hem it up and use it as a fancy skirt in my wardrobe.

Here is a picture of it:
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_q0y3aFaaLas/StiIISeUwBI/AAAAAAAAKY0/0KP_iNOBul4/s1600-h/037.JPG

In this picture I was wearing a saddleseat coat and a Chemesette that slipped horribly to the left! Next time I use this outfit - serious revisions will be made to the skirt…coat and the blouse I choose!

This was the outfit worn the second day that was a success!
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_q0y3aFaaLas/StXbDgSiQgI/AAAAAAAAKSc/pOBlOZ0hhDg/s1600-h/DSC_7957_8x10[1].jpg

[Brigit]

When do you plan to wear your outfit next? I’d be tempted to just keep on riding and practicing and maybe see if you can construct a practice skirt out of material that’s similar to your skirt (but cheap fabric) and practice in that or see what you can do to alter it to make it work.

I think I’d be tempted to try the grippy “dots” personally.

I can completely understand though, the first saddle I rode in was SUPER slippery and I felt so insecure in it. That was part of the reason I was determined to get a saddle with the doeskin seat. It is soooo nice!

[equusvilla]

My next show is 5-6 of December…quite soon! I will not be using this skirt for that show…but I wanted to use it in the spring.

[Brigit]

That is pretty soon… Hmmm… Well I’d say stick to the wool one for now and see what you can and want to do with the other one in the meantime.

And of course, we want pictures of your show!!!

[equusvilla]

[QUOTE=Brigit;4503531]
That is pretty soon… Hmmm… Well I’d say stick to the wool one for now and see what you can and want to do with the other one in the meantime.

And of course, we want pictures of your show!!![/QUOTE]

I have chronicled my whole ‘Learning How to Ride Sidesaddle’ including my first show in my Riding Aside blog listed below. It is a collection of everything from fashion to my own experiences …basically anything related to sidesaddle that I wanted to keep in one place! If you go to the sidebar and click on “My Own Experiences” you will get only the posts that relate to me, my equipment…my lessons, shows etc. If you look at the whole blog - you will notice I have a ‘thing’ for fashion and there is a LOT of it on that blog!

[Brigit]

I know, I’m an avid follower of you’re blog! Love it!

[equusvilla]

[QUOTE=Brigit;4503677]
I know, I’m an avid follower of you’re blog! Love it![/QUOTE]

WOW! What a huge compliment!! Thanks.