From what I've been able to find out: he short version of Astride vs
Aside:
WOMEN rode any way they could-if they were able to get a horse to ride.
They either walked or maybe were able to catch a ride in a wagon.
LADIES, on the other hand, adhered to strict rules of conduct and kept
their legs together for propriety. I know there are pictures of
females riding astride as well as sideways with their back parallel to
the right side of the horse and their feet at right angles to the
horse's left side. (Did I make this perfectly unclear?) Like sitting in
a chair. Others rode sideways behind a man. Some even had a board to
place their feet on. Often the horse was led by a footman, controlling
the horse. It was thought that ladies couldn't control a large beast
like a horse.
Women also rode "palfreys"- gaited horses, also called "ambling"
horses. Supposedly, the Paso Fino Breed, (my horse is a PF) has the
palfrey in its background.
I've also heard that "women's legs aren't strong enough to control a
horse" if riding astride. Ironically, I've heard that women have
stronger thighs, and have better muscle shape TO control a horse if
ridden astride. Go figure!
I ride aside, astride and with no saddle at all. Bareback is the most
comfortable for the horse and for me. My Mac's back is round and
padded with that smooth gait- can't beat it! Saddle or not.
Susan
"Slow down. The trail is the thing, not the end of the trail. Travel
too fast and you miss all you are traveling for". - "Ride the Dark
Trail" by Louis L'Amour
On Mar 6, 2006, at 5:42 PM, julian wilson wrote:
Susan Data-Samtak <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Annette and others-
Can we make a subgroup that deals with riding outfits and horse items?
I'd hate to not get feedback from all the historical costumers on the
big list, but I don't want to annoy the rest of you with "horse
specific" questions. Much snippage ! But... I would have been in
the peasant class, as I am in real life!)
Susan
snip
On Mar 6, 2006, at 11:41 AM, Kahlara wrote:
Over the years I have found that most of my creative associations seem
to have at least two or three similarities in other areas as well as
the shared interest in which we first became aquainted.
I have noticed several list members make reference to horses and
riding. I ride and own horses also.Much snippage>
Just a little generalizing. ;-) COMMENT
Annette, Susan, and others -
according to Master Rhys Terafan Greydragon, - he estimates that of
the entire SCA membership, possibly only 10% can actually ride, - and
fewer still own their own horses.
Presumeably the percentage of "riders" against "pedestrians" is
much the same in most other re-enactment groups, large and small -
Roman, Dark Ages, medieval, English Civil War, Frederick the Great,
Marlborough, 1776, Napoleonic Wars, Crimean War, US Civil War, Zulu &
Ashanti Wars, and Anglo-Boer War, &c, &c.
This is a huge percentage difference from the medieval period
covered by the SCA when one would suppose that the majority of the
population above Freedman-Status could ride, - and of course true also
for those of the rest of us interested in any other Period
Re-enactment up to and including about 1914 Gregorian.
There must be so much specialised "Equestrian Lore" of costume, of
bardings, of other tacks - of which we are unaware, - it would seem
likely to be a subject of considerable interest to those of us who
don't "ride" horses in these Modern Middle Ages. For example.......
The "riding side-saddle, riding astride"-debate has it's own
fascinations - Chaucer's illustrators clearly show the female Pilgrims
riding astride - but I have read comments confusing the issue, by
moderns, flatly stating that even during the 15th Century, all women
rode fully-side-saddle, or sat behind a Male servant. Did this call
for divided skirts? or did women wear hosen under their skirts so as
to be able to ride astride yet keep their modesty? At what Time point
and in which Kingdoms did it become "immodest" and frowned-upon for
women to ride astride?
I would support such a subgroup, and kibitz in the hope of learning
much new information.
Julian,
in Old Jersey
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