October Artifact of the Month: Lady’s Leather Sidesaddle
This October, we're featuring a fascinating piece of transportation history from the McQuarrie Memorial Museum's collection: a lady's leather sidesaddle once owned by Mary Ann Woodward, Mrs. George Woodward.
For centuries, women's riding saddles were designed differently from men's. Early sidesaddles were little more than a padded seat with a wooden support, positioning the rider sideways rather than facing forward.
By the 16th century, sidesaddle designs had evolved to allow women to face forward, with the right leg supported by a pommel and the left foot resting in a stirrup.
A major improvement came in the 1830s, when French saddlemaker Jules Pellier developed a design featuring a second pommel. This provided greater stability and control, allowing skilled riders to gallop and even jump fences while riding sidesaddle.
Although sidesaddle riding presented challenges, these innovations gave women greater freedom and security on horseback.
The leather sidesaddle displayed in Room 8 offers a glimpse into the changing design of riding equipment and the experiences of women who traveled on horseback.
Visit the McQuarrie Memorial Museum to see this historic sidesaddle in Room 8. Admission is free!
