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.
-------------------------
I've never seen anything depicting this style of riding. Links ? I can see
where a footman would have to lead a person seated like this, as it would be
a little like driving a car from the backseat. This position would put the
woman more in the class of cargo, rather than "riding". It would be a form
of transportation similar to sitting in a wagon, I'm sure.
Which is not the same at all as riding side-saddle. I can't speak to
specific time periods but I know I have read descriptions of women wearing
breeches or jodhpurs under a "false" skirt that looked and functioned like a
skirt when walking, but had a buttoned panel associated with function under
saddle.
Also, with the volume of skirts and the layers under the skirts, I can't see
where modesty would be a problem when riding sidesaddle. The position is
similar sitting on a barstool with the right leg hooked on a high rung, and
the left foot very close to the floor. Mounting the horse in public would
probably take a *lot* of private practice and a very steady horse, but I'm
sure it could be accomplished w/o displaying much more than some inner hem.
When horses were primary modes of transportation, mounting blocks were
available just about everywhere and that would help a lot!
I would join an equestrian clothing group!
Denise
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