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.

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.)

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.

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.

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