| Sidesaddle for 18" Doll |
Mlle. Dolly here has a problem: a
beautiful riding habit and a spirited horse,
but no sidesaddle.
Here's an easy way to convert your AG
saddle into an 18th century sidesaddle
that the doll can actually sit on (with the
help of a "stand."
First make the "horns" of the saddle.
beautiful riding habit and a spirited horse,
but no sidesaddle.
Here's an easy way to convert your AG
saddle into an 18th century sidesaddle
that the doll can actually sit on (with the
help of a "stand."
First make the "horns" of the saddle.
18th Century saddles had 2 horns (forget the movie,
they used a later, safer saddle).
Notice the way the horns are curved. Mom or big sister
can bend a coat hanger or thick wire into shape (See
below) to make the horns, then wrap them with nylon
hose or even thin glove leather. (I used hose to match
the saddle.)
they used a later, safer saddle).
Notice the way the horns are curved. Mom or big sister
can bend a coat hanger or thick wire into shape (See
below) to make the horns, then wrap them with nylon
hose or even thin glove leather. (I used hose to match
the saddle.)
The bottom "legs" of the set of horns will fit into the
stirrup holes on your saddle. Don't make the "legs" too
thick or they won't fit into the stirrup holes.
Dolls with bendable legs might could ride the saddle
like this, but unfortunately, AG dolls don't have
"knees," so they need a "stand" to help them stay on
the horse.
stirrup holes on your saddle. Don't make the "legs" too
thick or they won't fit into the stirrup holes.
Dolls with bendable legs might could ride the saddle
like this, but unfortunately, AG dolls don't have
"knees," so they need a "stand" to help them stay on
the horse.
The stand fits behind the saddle. It's made of wire like the horns, but I wrapped mine with black
hose so that it wouldn't show. The "legs" of the stand fit around the horse's flank. You could make
the legs fit under the saddle, but for extra stability I added a girth of elastic. The arms of my stand
don't go around my doll's waist, they only support her bottom to push her forward a little. You'll
have to experiment with your doll to see what works best.
Now for the finishing touches. Take out the right stirrup (she won't need it) and put it somewhere
safe. NOTE: sidesaddles were built for both right and left sides. You can always turn your "horns"
around and change the stirrups so that dolly can ride on the other side.
Now, put dolly's right leg between the two horns and put her left foot in the stirrup. You'll have to
see which postion works best, but my daughter's doll sits quite securely.
hose so that it wouldn't show. The "legs" of the stand fit around the horse's flank. You could make
the legs fit under the saddle, but for extra stability I added a girth of elastic. The arms of my stand
don't go around my doll's waist, they only support her bottom to push her forward a little. You'll
have to experiment with your doll to see what works best.
Now for the finishing touches. Take out the right stirrup (she won't need it) and put it somewhere
safe. NOTE: sidesaddles were built for both right and left sides. You can always turn your "horns"
around and change the stirrups so that dolly can ride on the other side.
Now, put dolly's right leg between the two horns and put her left foot in the stirrup. You'll have to
see which postion works best, but my daughter's doll sits quite securely.