Historic Hood River
Sidesaddle?
9-7-2023
Notes
This is from a small collection of glass negatives which includes views of Parkdale in the early twentieth century. I think the woman is sitting sidesaddle, which looks incredibly difficult. The photographer’s saddle looks far more practical. The things we do in name of modesty.
L. E.
I agree Arthur, about the modesty bit. And often it was women who promoted the uncomfortable modesty ideas.
Every time I look at a side saddle photo I can feel an imaginary pain in my twisted lower back.
I have a friend, she is in her 90’s now, who used to ride her mother’s side saddle in parades.
I will have to ask her if it was uncomfortable.
Marilyn
Since the new site launched I’m not able to zoom in on pictures but it looks to me like she’s on a regular saddle, not a side saddle. Wish I could get a closer look.
Arthur Babitz
Marilyn, zooming varies by browser and hardware. If you share those details I will try to help.
L. E.
I think you are right Marilyn.
I think she is on a regular saddle. I think I can see the saddle horn with her hands in front holding the reins.
kmb
Even zoomed in, the picture is a little too blurry to tell exactly what she is wearing and how she is sitting. But if you look at her waist and hips, it appears she is sitting square on the horse, not turned like you would be sitting side saddle. I see a row of buttons down the front of the skirt. I just don’t know how you get on or off the horse with all that long skirt material to deal with.
Marilyn
Thanks for the offer Arthur, Since my zoom works on every other site where I use it I will leave it as is. Don’t want to mess things up. Firefox is my browser.