Sidesaddles

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of saddle designed for riding aside rather than astride, typically featuring a single pommel and a wider seat
2. An equestrian saddle that allows the rider to sit beside the horse, providing stability and comfort, often used in traditional or leisure riding
3. A saddle crafted for side-sitting, promoting ease of use and style for those who prefer an alternative riding position while maintaining control

Etymology: "Sidesaddles" is simply the plural of "sidesaddle," so the history belongs to the singular. The word is a plain compound of "side" and "saddle," joining the Old English-derived "side," meaning the flank or lateral part of a body, with "saddle," the seat fitted to a horse's back. Its sense is literal: a saddle placed so that the rider sits on one side of the horse, with both legs hanging to the same side rather than straddling the animal. That arrangement was not a modern convenience. Riding aside was the usual way for women to ride in Europe for centuries, since it allowed them to travel in long skirts without straddling the horse, and the sidesaddle developed to make this position secure. The single pommel, the raised horn on the front of the seat, gave the rider something to hook a leg around, while the wider seat spread her weight across the horse's back.

Synonyms: side-saddle