horses, horses, horses, horses....

[The Holy Saint, Grand High Poobah, Master of Monkeys, Ehlers]

I should jsut call and ask my sister, but I know that Stacer, at least, has some familiarity with horses, though not necessarily my required area of knowledge, so if any of you know, speak up.

Protagonist in a medieval fantasy-ish novel. She's about to go horseback riding. What sorts of preparations does she need to do? Any special underskirts (they wear dresses 'round these parts) or whatever she needs? I was just going to have her tie back her hair and wear a dress that allowed her to move her legs, but wouldn't billow.

[Skar]

Side saddle.

[The Holy Saint, Grand High Poobah, Master of Monkeys, Ehlers]

well, of course, but do they wear special clothes? I mean, other than the obvious, no wedding gown sort of thing.

[Brenna]

They often wear split skirts, to aid in movement when riding horses.

[stacer]

Yeah, never ridden sidesaddle myself, but from other books I've read, yes, split skirts. They would not ride astride, unless you're feeling like being Robert Jordan. Tying the hair back--good. Gloves would be a good thing, too. And you probably *want* a dress that billows a little, because that's better than showing off your legs (i.e., you need the "give" room). No underskirts, and her undergarments would be whatever regular undergarments girls would wear in that society (no extra-long bloomers or anything necessary, I wouldn't think). And sturdy shoes.

Other than that, can't really help you. Not something a modern Western rider like me normally deals with. Plus, it's been a while since I've been able to ride.

[The Holy Saint, Grand High Poobah, Master of Monkeys, Ehlers]

thanks girls. That helps tremendously.

[stacer]

By the way, I so wanted to answer this thread with, "Giddyup, giddyup, giddyup, giddyup.... Jingalingaliiing!"

Yeah, I love that part.

And you have to say it "harses, harses, harses, harses...."

[Mistress of Darkness]

"Next up, 'Jingle Bells' backwards!"

That's a fun movie. . . .

[stacer]

"Now, it's time for 'You and Your Spleen.'"

Dang, that's what I should have watched last night. It took me too long to decide and I ended up just grabbing How to Marry a Millionaire, but falling asleep before I watched it.

[The Holy Saint, Grand High Poobah, Master of Monkeys, Ehlers]

What have I wrought?!