Walking into a used bookstore, I didn't expect to fall in love with a book about riding with both legs on the same side of the horse. But The Horsewoman: A Practical Guide to Side-Saddle Riding by Alice M. Hayes charmed me from the first page. This edition weaves a very specific period feel while tackling timeless struggles: trusting your horse, fighting through awkward positions, and proving something to a doubtful world.

The Story

There’s not a traditional plot here, but every chapter works like short adventures. Hayes takes you from just hopping up (way harder than it looks!) to cantering over rough terrain and, eventually, hunting and jumping. She also handholds practical fit matters most modern riders would troubleshoot with brand names or a call to the vet. Instead, she explains exactly how to tweak a badly fit skirt to stop friction scrapes, what type of ladies‘ riding jacket eases elbow trouble, and even lessons from her own almost-disasters abroad, with saddle security suggestions that cross cultures and continents.

Why You Should Read It

Look, if half your life involves thigh-gripping a knobby pony, this is weaponized practical advice, not a glossy show-off. Alice doesn’t cushion warnings — she sets a hunt saddle and then describes why early practices nearly cost her a collarbone. She reveals trade secrets like the clever use of a 'balancing strap' without implying you lack skill, and makes a pitch for bold women to hack across any landscape, solo. She keeps it creative and eager, explaining dress and gear quirks – corsets included rarely comfortable hours later. After reading, I fiddled with my stirrup and discovered better core position my modern coach never caught!

Final Verdict

This book flings open windows of horsewomen of the 1800/early 1900s with style and adrenaline to match ours. For a dreamy horseback tourist, it supplies stories and some good tips; for an old military side-saddle geek, it’s more exact than any revamp I’ve seen. Perfect for historical romance geeks (who rarely get cool authentic side-tricks), plus all-girls equestrian teams who can respectfully train basic position actually copying Alice’s method. My only warning: it just may sit on your work desk, and you will daily imagine commuting to the pasture 1905 style. Shockingly relevant, un-patronizing, and vivid – gets all of my keeper sense excited.