Horseback riding has been popular since antiquity. Many thinkers, scientists and doctors have argued about its benefits. Horseback riding helps not only to keep fit, but also allows you to get an emotional shake-up and release from stress. In the modern world, men and women ride a horse in the same way - sitting right in the direction of travel. But it was not always so. For a long time, the generally accepted norm was a kind of landing of beautiful ladies on horses. Their legs were on one side of the horse. Why such a tradition appeared and how it was broken, read our material.
A brief historical excursion
It is believed that the first analogue of a lady's saddle appeared in the days of Ancient Greece. On some of the bas-reliefs and vases, there were images of figures sitting on horses. They were also carved on Celtic stones. Even in the Baroque era - in the 17th-18th centuries, beautiful ladies on a horse were portrayed as sitting sideways.
The period of active knightly tournaments and horse hunting is considered to be a kind of turning point. In pursuit of male attention, restless aristocrats preferred to accompany the stronger sex everywhere. The previous manner of riding - sitting sideways on a horse - was very uncomfortable and not very practical. Ladies could not control a horse in such a position. Everywhere they were accompanied by a groom, servant or gentleman. They led the animal sedately, holding it by the bridle.
Lady saddle transformation
The first saddles for women were simple and primitive. They were a kind of pillow. Later, a plank was added to it for convenience. During the Middle Ages, the female saddle underwent a cardinal transformation. It was like a chair attached to the back of a horse. For convenience, a kind of step was attached, where the ladies put their feet during a horse ride.
The adjustments to the design of the women's saddle were made by Anna Cheshskaya, the wife of the English king Richard II. After traveling for a long time in Europe, she wondered how to make riding a horse more comfortable.
Landing sideways remained. But now the ladies were sitting astride the horse, turning their bodies parallel to the shoulders of the horse. They could drive a horse without assistance. This is due to the new saddle design. It was dangerous, although convenient in comparison with the previous modification. English ladies, sitting on a horse sideways, dangling two legs on one side, risked being on the ground. Therefore, the so-called "horns" soon appeared. They helped the damsels to hold on tightly in the saddle. Such a "ladies'" design of it has survived to the present day. By the way, the saddle originally weighed about 12 kg.
So why did the ladies ride horses sitting sideways
Since ancient times, the secular society has zealously adhered to the rules of etiquette. It was indecent for well-bred ladies to deal with the affairs of strong representatives of humanity. Including riding a horse "like a man." In addition, the dress did not allow it to be done. Long and fluffy skirts made it difficult to throw a leg over the saddle.
There was one more factor - a religious one. The clergy believed that women should keep their feet together. Otherwise, "an evil or wicked spirit" could penetrate them.
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Therefore, according to moral, ethical and spiritual principles, beautiful ladies went on horseback riding, sitting sideways. But the years passed, the morals changed. And the fair sex began to ride in the same way as men.
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