I would have concerns about the balance of the rider in a side-saddle. Like Una my team rides some pretty rough country often on ledge trails. If a ledge trail suddenly begins to give way (it happens regularly here) the rider may need to suddenly and quickly shift a significant amount of their weight to help their mount maintain balance on the trail. While I believe every person with disabilities deserves a chance to prove their capabilities under extreme conditions- just like every other potential member- I believe it's in everyone's best interest to make sure that the standards under which EACH PERSON is judged is the same for every member.
I have ridden in a side saddle. Has anyone else? They are an interesting ride for sure. :-) Chris
On 05/23/13, T'mi Finkle<tfinkle@erols.com> wrote:
I don't know of any MSAR team that disapproves the use of specific types of saddle. The only minor exception being those posse groups that specify a "Western" saddle but this has more to do with rodeo ceremony and parade riding than SAR.
I would have no safety concerns about a rider using a side-saddle, provided the rider is secure in it. And given the design of these saddles I would expect a skilled rider to be very secure.
Someone with significant neuropathy involving a lower limb, or even a prosthetic foot, could well be better off in a side-saddle than riding astride. Here in New Mexico the SAR community includes a number of amputees. They are remarkably able, resourceful persons.