Treatment of Horses vs. Women

The 19^th century was a very strict time, when women had to abide by society’s conventions and wear corsets, bustles and crinolines. They all accepted this as the norm, along with the fact that a horse and carriage provided their transport, however controversial; horses had to be harnessed with a curb-bit and a bearing rein [1.6]. The bearing-rein held the horses’ head up high, forcing the animals into contrived and painful postures for the purpose of appearance alone[1]. Essentially this is what women did to themselves by tight-lacing and wearing bustles, it has been said that a harnessed horse is like a corseted and bustled woman [1.7], creating a posture, movement and silhouette that is conspicuously horse like[2]. By women wearing bustles it was implied that to be beautiful tails had to be worn. Males, who were said to be the dominant character, were also said to be superior to women and horses; so essentially men saw them both as sexualised objects and as their property. Men would often describe women and horses in the same manner, using similar vocabulary to describe their breed or carriage etc.,[3] completely demoralizing to a woman and reducing her to the level of a mere animal, an object to be looked at, similar to the idea of a trophy wife.

[1.6] Bearing rein

[1.7] Corseted and bustled women

The popularization of the side saddle in the 19^th century was unhealthy for the horse as it caused them to tighten up, giving them muscular spasms because all the weight was distributed on one side. The side saddle was seen as convenient, practical and a graceful way for women to ride. However, it had many side effects on the horse as it deformed the spine, unjustifiably tired the horse and was impractical for long journeys[4]. The treatment of animals reflects the state of society, through class and social problems among humans.  Stated by Charles Darwin, “Humans were now animals; the theological line that had separated humanity from animals as a distinct creation was no longer tenable”.[5] Humans were so overwhelmed by fashion, popularity and class that they did not even think about what they were doing to themselves or the animals surrounding them. Our so called brainpower, which is meant to differentiate us from other animals, was non-existent. It is we humans who have shaped what horses are today, as we have made them obey us. In effect this does have pros and cons, humans and horses can have very strong partnerships and can become “one” enjoying each other’s company. However horses have their own needs such as rest, they should have freedom in the company of other horses, they are herd animals and they do not always end up with a kind owner. It all whittles down to the problem of fashion versus common sense.[6] 

Ashley J

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[1] Dorre G M. Horses and Corsets: Black Beauty, Dress Reform, and the Fashioning of the Victorian Woman. Victorian Literature and Culture. 2002; 1060-1503 (02): 157-178. p. 157

[2] Ibid p. 158

[3] Ibid p. 161

[4] David A.,M., Elegant Amazons: Victorian riding habits and the fashionable horsewoman. Victorian Literature and Culture. 2002; 1060-1503 (02): 179-210. p.200

[5] Miele K., Horse-Sense: Understanding the Working Horse in Victorian London. Victorian Literature and Culture. 2009; 37-1060-1503 (09): 129-140. p.129

[6] Ibid p.137

Riding Wear and Riding in the 19th Century

Ever since the 15^th century horse riding has been a popular sport for both women and men. Side-saddle riding [1.2] was introduced by Queen Anne of Bohemia and Luxemburg in 1382[1] and was the only acceptable way for women to ride up until the mid 20^th century. Around the time railroads were invented riding became more of a leisure sport. The Victorian riding habit was unusual from the rest of the dress that was worn at that time; it was very simple with little decoration and in demure colours [1.3]. It was a fashionable anti-fashion statement, masculine and feminine, practical yet alluring. It is the modern horsewoman who represents a turning point in the history of female dress, as the riding habit is one of the first sports costumes to be designed specifically for women and this opened the way for a generation of other athletic garments.[2] Although the riding habit was unique to a specific sport it still followed society rules. The jacket often followed the fashion of that time and the skirts had metres and metres of fabric, especially at the back, which emulated a bustle look. The skirt or apron did improve in time becoming more minimal though it was one of the most difficult garments to make, as it had to fit the female body while sitting side-saddle on a horse [1.4]. Women’s riding habits are one of a kind, it was the only costume at this time which was cut and fashioned from the same selection of fabrics as the men’s suits. Because the habits were so complicated they were made by tailors rather than dressmakers.[3]  

 

[1.2] Woman riding side saddle

  

[1.3] Riding Habit

[1.4] Side saddle apron

During the 18^th century women wore brightly coloured riding habits, such as ruby red and emerald green with elaborate braiding. However, by the mid 19^th century when Queen Victoria came to power, the colour quickly faded and women adopted the palette of men’s dress. It was then only appropriate to wear black, navy, grey and brown, though blondes might wear a dark rifle green[4]. Riding wear turned everything on its head; it was unusual that the colour scheme changed in riding as it was a time when there were more sophisticated dyes and women were wearing mauve, magenta and cerise. In the riding world the colour coding roles were reversed, as normally the dark and demure colours were associated with men and laborious work, however the simplest habits were seen as “the most ladylike and becoming of all; besides looking thoroughly womanlike”[5]. The riding habit was a one-off to all other costumes because it was different, however it is still in accordance with the sport, as the suiting fabrics acted as a sort of camouflage, it protected women from all weathers and was warm [1.5]. People were becoming more sensible and making clothes because they were practical, though they still had a long way to go. Women still had to wear corsets, however if they did not wear a corset, their riding coat would still be boned and fit tightly, there was certainly not a release for these middle class women, having so many dress code rules to abide by.

[1.5] Women riding side saddle in the hunting field

“Sport was perplexingly ambiguous because it stood on the threshold between male and female and between the past and the future. It was a repressive and constraining mechanism that deliberately idealised maleness and kept women separate from and inferior to men.”[6] Sport was confusingly ambiguous as sports were considered a more male activity in the 19^th century, but females have slowly managed to become more accepted in the sporting world. As such they broke the taboo and changed things from what they had been in the past. It also meant that sports then were a way for men to flaunt their masculinity and competitive nature. It kept women in a state of inferiority without any chance of proving themselves, as they were never given the chance to take part in competitive sporting activities. Women were allowed to join in with sporting activities such as fox hunts; however they were never given any responsibility, just consent to follow along while obliged to riding side saddle.

Ashley J

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[1] David A.,M., Elegant Amazons: Victorian riding habits and the fashionable horsewoman. Victorian Literature and Culture. 2002; 1060-1503 (02): 179-210. p.180

[2] Ibid p.179

[3] Ibid p.182

[4] Ibid p.182

[5] David A.,M., Elegant Amazons: Victorian riding habits and the fashionable horsewoman. Victorian Literature and Culture. 2002; 1060-1503 (02): 179-210. p.182

[6] Ibid p. 180