Budget saddle for children?

[HopOnTrot]

We have an older LR pony and she doesn't really fit in any of the saddles we have, she's not ridden a huge amount but I would like her to have a nicely fitting saddle as eldest is getting a bit old for the cub saddle. I've tried a treeless saddle but I honestly have no idea how to make it fit, so I was wondering, has anyone ever had a saddle fitter who fits saddles under £200/300? I was going to contact a few to ask them but I wondered if it might seem like I was a bit... tight.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

What shape is the pony? If it a flat backed native type with no withers then a Shetland pony pad may do. If the pony has withers then what about the small wintecs?

 

[Melandmary]

I found it very difficult to find a saddle in that budget for a very wide pony.... You might have more luck if said pony is quite a standard size and get away with a wintec saddle, they come in a 15in with changeable gullet. For my wide, tabletop no whither little pony I have got a paddle saddle from Heather moffet. They come in at 14 in and over but are about 400 quid new. Second hand about 300-350.

 

[Melody Grey]

I’m not a fan of cub saddles and pony pads- I think a proper little saddle with seat shape and knee rolls is much better for the aspiring young rider. My sons 12.2hh welshie has a 14” english leather WH saddle which I bought second for about £200 and my saddle fitter fitted. More expensive than alternatives admittedly, but I’d get my £200 back any day of the week-maybe not so much with pony pads?

Have you tried posting a wanted ad on Facebook groups?

ETA: which area are you in OP incase anyone reading knows any good second hand fitters for ponies?

 

[Not_so_brave_anymore]

I was similarly hoping to find a decentish secondhand pony saddle, but honestly they are hard to come by- no one gives them up! Ended up with a thorowgood t4, cost I think £450, it's a lovely saddle, I'm very happy with it.

 

[sbloom]

Tiny saddles are a challenge, they cost pretty much the same to make as an adult saddle but very few people want to spend that money. There are few around that even fit wide flat backs well in the 14" and under size. I would up your budget a bit and look at the HM Pad-dle as already mentioned but Guy Cantin pony pads do seem very good and have more to them than other English pads.

 

[Maisie53]

Having wasted alot of money on a custom made saddle for my daughters 11.2 WIDE shetland x cob I have stuck to her shires Aviemore pad. Both my 10 and 4 year old ride in it. I am about to upgrade the older one to a thorn pad.
My oldest jumps gallops and everything in this little pad but she is wanting some knee rolls.

For 70 quid I think the pony pad works well really. I've given up on 'proper' saddles as it seems a problem I can't even solve with money.

 

[Bonnie Allie]

We had great success with the Thorowgood Pony Club for our kids and their various ponies. We had the 14” for the Shetland and went to the 15” and 16” for the 12.2 and 13.2 and 14.1hh pony. Sold the saddles with the ponies when they went.

Also had a Frank Baines that was excellent but understandably very expensive and poor kids used to get lectured about not scratching it and to be careful with it which too the fun out of riding with parents