Images Aside
Side-saddle Saddle Examples

Once technology progressed beyond pillion pads and packsaddles ridden sideways, other technolgies began to emerge.  The planchette, shelf to rest feet, was one technology that carried over.   The paired stirrups pictured below are a unique adapation of that technology.  In general, women sat mostly facing sideways intially.  At some point, likely in the 16th Century, saddle horns were used to hook a leg over allowing the rider a more stable, forward facing seat. (Mitchell and Creaton, 2019)  

The Booke of Venerie saddle (above) has a planchette and supports a sideways position. The horn design differs from the extant saddles. A rider could use the horn for stability, but it is not designed to help position.

These two extant saddles (below) have horns to hook a knee allowing a forward facing seat. The first is ridden to the near side - rider's legs on the horse's left. The second is set for the off-side - rider's legs on the horse's right.

Leaping Horns, which facilitated a secure jumping position aside, were a much later invention. (Mitchell and Creaton, 2019)