The 16 Horse Breeds Best Suited For Side Saddle Riding

Side saddle is a type of riding that developed centuries ago for women’s modesty and dignity. It involves using a special saddle that allows female riders to sit aside rather than astride a horse. Nowadays, side saddle riding is a novelty versus a necessity — women aren’t culturally required to wear skirts on horses anymore — so what makes a horse good for this type of riding? Let’s jump into the horse breeds best suited for side saddle.

The Best Horse Breeds for Riding Side Saddle

There isn’t one single horse breed that rises above the rest when it comes to this type of riding. That’s because you can ride side saddle in many different disciplines — dressage, eventing, show jumping, western pleasure, foxhunting, and saddle seat-style English pleasure, just to name a few.

However, the best side saddle horses all have a few traits that they share such as:

• High withers to comfortably fit the side saddle
• A long back and slimmer build
• A smooth gait
• Easy to handle
• A quiet temperament
• Willingness to please

With that being said, let’s get into the 16 best horse breeds to use for side saddle riding.

1. Arabian Horse

Although Arabians tend to have short backs, their high withers and smooth gait make them a wonderful side saddle horse! Plus, this breed’s versatility means they can compete in side saddle shows or across a variety of disciplines wearing a side saddle.

2. Morgan

Side saddle is judged based on the harmony between horse and rider. Morgans are the best horse breed for side saddle riding for this exact reason! They are bred to perform, are highly trainable, and bond easily with their rider.

3. Tennessee Walking Horse

As a side saddle rider, one of the most important traits you want in a horse is a smooth gait. The Tennessee Walking Horse has that and more! With their easy-going temperament, long back, and slim build, this is one of the best horse breeds suited for side saddle riding.

4. Welsh Cob

What Welsh Cobs lack in manners, they more than make up for in charisma and ridability. They are a strong, hardy, and willing breed, which is useful if you decide to foxhunt or do eventing side saddle with them.

5. Hackney

The Hackney is the quintessential show horse that excels across disciplines, from dressage to harness racing. It’s no surprise then that they are one of the best horse breeds for side saddle riding! Well suited for the special saddle required, the Hackney also has a good nature and innate eagerness to please.

6. Haflinger

The best horse breeds for side saddle have pronounced withers, a smooth gait, and are easy to handle. Haflingers check all of these boxes! Often used as a children’s pony, they are easy to train, reliable, and well-built for all types of adventures.

7. New Forest Pony

This horse breed is surefooted and intelligent with steady, even gaits. The New Forest Pony is one of the horse breeds best suited for side saddle for these reasons! Whether you’re competing in the show ring or side saddle riding in a hunt, the New Forest Pony is a great breed to use.

8. Irish Draught

If you need a docile, even-tempered horse to ride side saddle, the Irish Draught is perfect for you. They will carry you around with ease and you don’t have to worry about them running out from underneath you — they are sensible and eager to please their rider.

9. Fell Pony

The Fell Pony is a reliable and sturdy breed. They are fun horses to ride, which is why they are seen commonly in side saddle competitions.

10. Thoroughbred

If you want to compete in eventing, showing jumping, or foxhunting side saddle, a Thoroughbred is a great choice. These events require a capable, eager-to-please, and intelligent horse, which this breed is. Plus, their long backs and slim build make side saddle riding easier.

11. Paso Fino

The Paso Fino is a stunning horse with a wonderfully smooth gait. This is why this horse breed is one of the best for side saddle riding! They are also versatile horses, which means they can compete in a variety of disciplines while you ride side saddle.

12. Lipizzaner

The best horse breeds for side saddle are, above all, easy to ride. This means that they have a steady gait, are dependable, and have a strong desire to please. The Lipizzaner has it all!

13. Saddlebred

The Saddlebred is famous for its incredibly smooth gaits. But the breed has another trait that makes it one of the best horses for side saddle riding: a slim build. This helps the special saddle sit correctly on the horse’s back, which allows them to move freely.

14. Appaloosa

Side saddle riding is allowed across multiple equestrian disciplines. If you want one horse breed that can compete in them all, the Appaloosa is great for this. They are a capable breed with a strong desire to please their rider, which makes them one of the best for side saddle riding.

15. Andalusian

Andalusians are highly trainable and well-mannered. These are important traits for a side saddle horse to have because side saddle classes are judged on the horses’ obedience, movements, and rideability.

16. Clydesdale

The last horse breed on our list of the best to use for side saddle riding is the Clydesdale. They are an incredibly docile and good-natured breed, which makes them a popular choice for riding side saddle.

Summary of the Best Horse Breeds for Riding Side Saddle

The horse breeds best suited for side saddle are well-mannered, easy-going, and have a smooth gait. Let’s go over our list of the 16 best horse breeds for riding side saddle.