Stories of historical interest from Historical Society of Salisbury Township, submitted by Leona Baker, president

For women, riding a horse with both legs on one side of the animal dates to antiquity, when Princess Anne of Bohemia rode sidesaddle across Europe on her way to marry King Richard II in 1382. Riding sidesaddle was seen as a way to protect her chastity. Eventually, it was considered vulgar for any woman to ride astride. Men rode horses; women were merely passengers sitting behind the men. Indeed, those long, heavy skirts made it impractical to ride astride.

Within decades, a specially designed saddle was developed to allow the woman to control the horse while keeping the required level of decency.

In the late 14th century, clever inventors had designed a functional sidesaddle with a chair-like construction, where the woman sat sideways on the horse, both feet propped on a footrest. Catherine de Medici, in the 16th century, is said to have developed a more practical design. Rather than keeping both feet placed side by side, she used a saddle that enabled the rider to place her right leg over the pommel of the saddle, allowing much more control of the horse and even allowing the rider to trot and canter safely and to show off her shapely ankle and calf to her best advantage.

Over time, further adjustments were made, but it was the introduction of a second pommel in the 1830s that gave women increased security and additional freedom of movement when riding sidesaddle. Now they could gallop and even jump fences with more safety, but still conform to propriety and modesty.

By the mid-1800s, the rider sat astride, with her right hip back to allow the shoulders to fall into line. The right leg was placed on the front of the saddle, with the left leg bent and resting on the saddle and the foot in the stirrup.

As for dress, it wasn't until the late 16th century that a "habit," as it was, and still is, called, was designed specifically for riding sidesaddle. Before this time, usual day wear was worn for riding. The first "safety skirt" was invented in 1875, buttoned along the seams, and later around the waist, just covering the legs, which were encased in breaches. This did much to prevent women from being caught by their skirts and dragged by their horses if they fell.

As the automobile gained popularity, riding itself went out of style. Indeed, horseback riding became more the leisure sport it is today. Few women use the sidesaddle except for show in the 21st century.

The Historical Society of Salisbury Township was given a circa 1840 saddle from what was once the brick Spring Garden Hotel, located west of Snake Lane on Route 340, now a private home. Though in poor shape today after years hanging in a barn, it remains today a great example of ingenuity, combining beauty and functionality.