Descriptions

This beautiful saddlecloth, or caparison, would have been used by a wealthy woman while riding side-saddle.

In the past, women rode side-saddle as their long skirts made riding astride impractical. It was also considered very unladylike, a notion which informed some of the criticisms levelled at women when they began to ride bicycles in the 19th century.

This object is not on display.