Ungern-Sternberg in 2011

[former user]

he is riding side-saddle!

not actually
camels cannot be ridden like horses because they are too large on the back
the legs usually grip the saddlehorn/s like his right leg does
the advantage is that one has more mobility on the back and can turn to the side, like he does in the picture, so he can pose better

In fact, the resemblance between the two is quite astonishing, I must admit
which should be no wonder given the "close family ties" between old nobility

[Plynkes]

camels cannot be ridden like horses because they are too large on the back

Not quite true, you just need the right kind of saddle to ride them horse-fashion, like the ones the Bikaner Camel Corps had...


How wise it is do so I'm not sure however, as he looks like he's about to fall off.

Yes, raising this point was just an excuse to post this cool picture. 

[former user]

this is indeed a cool picture
from my own camel riding experience I can't imagine it works comfortably for a long time
I could imagine though that it is a special military saddle to improve lance handling
it is perfectly obvious that the stirrups are so short to facilitate a stand-up position and the knees would be bent when sitting, unlike when riding in a horse saddle (in an utility horse saddle, to be precise)

[Plynkes]

They did manage to rout the Turks with a camel charge once.

If you're ever in Bikaner I imagine you could give it a try yourself, former user, and report back to us, as they still prefer to ride their camels that way there. I'm sure if you ask nicely they'll let you have a go on one of their saddles. Every year they have the Bikaner Camel Festival ("A spectacular event of camel performances, camel races, camel acrobatics dances and camel milking competition are a part of of the celebrations"), and Bikaner is also home to the National Camel Research Centre (??).

I'm not making this up. Seriously. The good people of Bikaner are a little too obsessed with their camels, if you ask me. 

[former user]

this is very interesting

I actually never met camel owners who were NOT obsessed with their camels

could it be that the saddle is actually for two people?

I would really like to give it a try 

[Plynkes]

could it be that the saddle is actually for two people?

Indeed it is.



Though I have never seen an actual photograph of this arrangement in use. In photos the back seat always seems to be empty (maybe the No.2 guy has fallen off in every picture! ).



Edit: I do apologise to Mad Baron fans, I appear to have inadvertantly hijacked this thread into a discussion about Rajasthani camel riding (and milking and dancing)-habits.

[carlos marighela]

Do tigers make good saddles?

[former user]

haha, tigers

anyway, from what I know camel riding originates from Asia, so the arab camel riding I am accustomed to appears to be an arab development
In Afghanistan an Pakistan, this is the usual one apparently, as the one depicted by @ Plynkes



there are numerous paintings from medieval India for 2 seated camel riding

[Ignatieff]

Tremendous digression.  I am now an expert in camels and camel saddles.  Wait till the family hear about this!

[Emir of Askaristan]

Er.... wrong camel guys.

The baron is riding a Bactrian camel, all yours are Dromedaries.
One rides a Bactrian sitting between the humps, so the painting is correct. The Baron has both legs to the side, one over the front hump.

Of course I say one rides a Bactrian camel in this manner, as an Emir I only ride a horse......
 

[Plynkes]

I responded to "camels cannot be ridden like horses." That statement didn't specify a particular type of camel. But you are of course correct. 

[former user]

  sorry

how do bactrian camel saddles look?
just in case @Ignatieff is curious   

[ts]

That is a good question, especially as I want to make a Russian unit on Bachtrian camels with a little baggage train and one drawing a machinegun or little gun.
I have collected some pictures, but am still unsure, how the animal was controlled?
Just with a peg in the nose and a single rope or such?
The "saddle I guess was just a pillow and an arrangement of stirrups.

here are some pictures:


1916 in Central Asia


1917 Orenburg




Constantinople Turkey Camels Carrying Charcoal






1917 Orenburg


1930 Kazakhman riding a Bactrian camel with pack-camel and baby following.


1916 Russia Central Asia.


Old Russia Caucasus camels in Pyatigorsk. Mt.Beshtau in the background.










A splendid specimen.


Nose-plug.


1916 Tashkent. Street in the old city.










Kashgar China.

[carlos marighela]

 I always preferred Lucky Strikes personally.

[Hammers]

Jesus fecking Christ, the oneupmanship that goes on in this place....