The Horsewoman: A Practical Guide to Side-Saddle Riding, 2nd. Ed

The Story

The journey begins with the recognition that horsemanship is a craft defined by physical intelligence and the relentless pursuit of improvement. The narrative structure follows the path of an aspiring rider, starting from the foundational selection of the proper mount and the essential mechanics of the side-saddle. We are guided through the selection of a horse of appropriate height—typically 15-1 to 15-2 hands for a woman of average stature—emphasizing that the pleasure of riding diminishes rapidly when the rider is exhausted by the physical demands of an oversized or unmanageable animal. The text establishes that the goal is not merely to "stick on," but to achieve a seat that is secure, balanced, and aesthetically correct, requiring the rider to move in harmony with the horse’s own rhythm rather than fighting against it.

As the instruction progresses, the focus shifts to the vital equipment that bridges the gap between human and animal. The saddle is presented not as a static object, but as a dynamic tool that must be fitted precisely to both the rider’s anatomy and the horse’s conformation. We are warned against the folly of "level-seated" saddles, which are dismissed as theoretical absurdities that ignore the natural dip required for comfort and grip. A significant portion of the progression is dedicated to the technical nuance of the "leaping head" and the correct adjustment of the pommel, ensuring that the rider’s position remains anchored even during the unpredictable movements of hunting. The narrative emphasizes that a saddle fitting the largest rider in a family will suffice for others, provided the tree and crutches are of sufficient length.

The argument then moves into the domain of the hunting field, an environment characterized by unpredictable obstacles, challenging terrain, and the necessity of rapid decision-making. The text provides a rigorous exploration of the "hunting seat," a position derived from the mastery of the canter and the gallop. Here, the rider learns to control the horse through subtle shifts in weight and the effective use of the lower leg, while maintaining a sensitive touch on the reins. We are taken through the mechanics of negotiating various fences, from the common post-and-rails of the Shires to the treacherous, wire-infested obstacles that demand caution and experience. The narrative arc here is one of increasing sophistication: the novice who once struggled with basic balance now learns to read the "lie of the land," avoiding the dangerous vanity of trying to take one's own line over unknown country.

Beyond the movement of the horse, the book extends into the practicalities of the equestrian lifestyle. It details the necessity of proper riding dress—stressing the superiority of Melton cloth for its durability and weather resistance—and offers a sobering look at safety, particularly the design of boots and the importance of quick-release mechanisms. This leads to the administrative side of the sport: the care of the hunter after a long day, the importance of tightening girths to prevent injury, and the humane management of the stable. The narrative concludes with a philosophy of stewardship, advocating for a kind, sympathetic, and observant relationship with the animal. The reader is left not with a list of rules, but with a comprehensive framework for living well within the world of horses, grounded in the belief that the most skilled rider is always the one who best respects the nature of her mount.

The People

• The Pupil: The central figure for whom this manual is written. She begins as an inexperienced rider and must progress through technical training, physical conditioning, and the acquisition of sound judgment to become a competent horsewoman.
• The Author: Alice M. Hayes, the voice of the book. She acts as a mentor who has earned her expertise through years of international experience, ranging from training buckjumpers in foreign climates to hunting in the English Shires.
• The Husband (Captain M. Horace Hayes): A constant presence in the text, providing technical illustrations, veterinary guidance, and expertise on bitting and stable management. He represents the scientific, anatomical, and mechanical foundation of the training.
• The Groom: Often the target of the author’s critique regarding the treatment of horses. He represents the common, frequently misguided, or rough approach to animal care, which the author consistently contrasts with her own philosophy of sympathy and intelligence.
• The Horse: Treated as a sentient partner rather than a machine. Whether a "quicksilver" small horse or a powerful hunter, the horse is the primary subject whose welfare and cooperation dictate the success of every interaction.

In Its Own Voice

The author provides immediate, practical advice regarding the essential gear for the hunt, ensuring the rider is never caught unprepared:

If a watch is needed, it is most conveniently carried in a leather wristlet made for the purpose, as it can then be consulted at any moment, by merely raising the hand, without having to fumble for a watch-pocket.

In discussing the physical relationship between rider and horse, she emphasizes the necessity of a calm, balanced seat that remains unaffected by the horse's gait:

One of the first things to remember in the canter is to allow no movement of the seat, which should remain nailed as it were to the saddle, the hip joints supplying all the necessary motion to the body, and, as I have already said, the legs should be kept perfectly steady.

When addressing the common mistakes made by inexperienced riders regarding their mounts' comfort, she provides a clear, uncompromising rule:

I wish to draw particular attention to the necessity of tightening the girths of a side-saddle, even when a horse has been led to a meet; because I have found from long experience of riding young horses with tender backs, as well as hunters in hard condition, that, given the most perfectly-fitting saddle, trouble will arise sooner or later if this precaution is neglected.

What It's Really About

At its core, this book is an argument for the professionalization of women’s riding. It systematically dismantles the idea that riding is merely a social grace or a passive pastime, replacing it with a rigorous, technical discipline. The author contends that the physical challenges faced by a woman in the saddle—particularly when hunting—are equivalent to those faced by men, yet are often exacerbated by ill-fitting equipment and a lack of proper instruction. Therefore, the book serves as a corrective, insisting that anatomical differences do not necessitate a lack of skill, but rather require a specific, highly developed method of balance and grip.

The underlying question the book addresses is how to reconcile the inherent danger of horseback riding with the pursuit of mastery. By emphasizing that the "best horsewomen very seldom fall," the author shifts the focus from luck or courage to preparation and technique. She frames horsemanship as a form of intellectual labor. The reader is encouraged to understand anatomy—both human and equine—and to apply scientific principles to the bitting, feeding, and medical care of the animal. This is not a romanticized account of the bond between horse and rider; it is a clinical and practical assessment of how to maintain that bond through mutual understanding and the elimination of pain-inducing errors.

Furthermore, the book explores the tension between tradition and utility. The author is deeply skeptical of "fashionable" trends—such as the level-seated saddle or the wearing of tall, rigid top-boots—that prioritize aesthetics over the rider's safety and the horse's comfort. She advocates for a rational, utilitarian approach where the "smartness" of a habit or the "neatness" of a tack room is secondary to the functional success of the ride. By calling out these superficialities, she challenges the reader to view her pursuit through a lens of total competence. Ultimately, the book is about the cultivation of authority. Whether she is diagnosing a sore back, choosing the correct bit for a "puller," or navigating the complex etiquette of the hunting field, the ideal horsewoman described here is one who possesses the knowledge to command respect and the physical skill to act with total independence.

Why Read It Today

Today’s reader will find this volume to be a window into a vanished world of meticulous detail. There is a distinct, bracing pleasure in the author’s voice—it is authoritative, slightly tart, and entirely devoid of sentimentality. She writes with the confidence of someone who has spent more time on horseback than in a parlor, and her observations about the stubbornness of bad tailors, the absurdity of "fashionable" saddlery, and the character of grooms are as sharp and relevant as if they were written in the present day. Readers who appreciate the intersection of high-stakes sport and refined lifestyle will find themselves drawn into the rhythm of her logic.

The book is, however, an artifact of its time. The language retains the formal, slightly stiff cadence of the late Victorian and Edwardian era, and the author’s rigid adherence to the "rules of the road" and the specific social hierarchies of the English hunting field may feel foreign to those who view riding through a more contemporary, egalitarian lens. Furthermore, the technical focus on side-saddle riding is highly specialized. Readers looking for a general guide to modern equestrianism may find the specific focus on pommels, leaping heads, and side-saddle habits to be a steep learning curve. The text does not shy away from the darker aspects of the sport, such as the injuries common to hunting or the blunt reality of animal care, which might prove distressing to those accustomed to more sanitized accounts of horse riding.

Yet, what stays with you is the author's uncompromising standard of excellence. She treats the reader as an adult capable of deep study and physical discipline. Her insistence that one must be as useful in the field as any man, combined with her refreshingly practical advice on how to treat a horse's bruised back with a bit of brandy, creates a portrait of a woman who is both formidable and deeply empathetic. For anyone who loves the technical precision of a craft, or for those interested in the history of women’s physical agency, this guide offers a unique and enduring perspective on what it means to be truly capable.