Child riding horse- saddle?

Milanesa

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For those of you that have children riding big horses- what do you do about saddle sizing? A pony saddle obvs doesn’t fit too well on a horse, but an adult saddle is big for a child?

Help appreciated!
 

little_critter

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Probably depends on how big the size difference is.
I did once ask a saddler if there was any benefit to using a saddle longer than the rider required (but still shorter than the horses last rib), in regard to larger surface area and spreading the weight of the rider.
She said there was no benefit, so if the rider only needs a 16” saddle then use a 16” saddle (provided it still fits the horse of course).
Looks wise, a 16” saddle might look a bit daft on a 17hh ID but there was no welfare reason to use a long saddle on a large horse.
 

Milanesa

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I have a 6yr old riding a 15.3ish. I would like to put her in an adult saddle to ride in as have been using pony saddle to this point which doesn’t fit horse well- but it’s obviously quite big for her little frame
 

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It may not be ideal, but as a child from the age of 5 I regularly rode 17HH horses - but not heavy build. I used the saddles that fitted the horses, and managed just fine. From the age of 9 I rode an IDxTB (more of the chunky stamp), and as he was shared with my Dad, the saddle had to fit my Dad. I managed just fine.

I would just get the smallest seat size that fits the horse.
 

Velcrobum

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I spent hours being the crash test dummy on the lunge when I was 6-8yrs always on the event horse's saddle. You learn to sit well and it has stood me in very good stead ever since. Bottom line is the saddle should fit the horse and the rider has to learn to deal with it. I have certainly sat on saddles that were comfortable for me but not right for the horse so they were not purchased.
 

Milanesa

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Hi ok Thanks for the replies! Horse saddle for small child it is! She is long it’s a 17.5 inch so I worry whether child will be secure enough but we will give it a go and find out. Appreciate the responses- hopefully she will end up a great little rider.
 

sbloom

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Probably depends on how big the size difference is.
I did once ask a saddler if there was any benefit to using a saddle longer than the rider required (but still shorter than the horses last rib), in regard to larger surface area and spreading the weight of the rider.
She said there was no benefit, so if the rider only needs a 16” saddle then use a 16” saddle (provided it still fits the horse of course).
Looks wise, a 16” saddle might look a bit daft on a 17hh ID but there was no welfare reason to use a long saddle on a large horse.

This, absolutely. There is no such thing as the seat size being too small for the horse, only for the rider.

Hi ok Thanks for the replies! Horse saddle for small child it is! She is long it’s a 17.5 inch so I worry whether child will be secure enough but we will give it a go and find out. Appreciate the responses- hopefully she will end up a great little rider.

I would try something like a grippy seat saver if you can, see where she sits in the saddle, if she can stay in the deepest part and be reasonably aligned shoulder-hip-heel then you're probably good to go, but many riders end up sliding around or sitting permanently too far back or forwards.
 

little_critter

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This, absolutely. There is no such thing as the seat size being too small for the horse, only for the rider.



I would try something like a grippy seat saver if you can, see where she sits in the saddle, if she can stay in the deepest part and be reasonably aligned shoulder-hip-heel then you're probably good to go, but many riders end up sliding around or sitting permanently too far back or forwards.

;) is was you who I asked the question of
 

sidewaysonacob

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There are some lovely 15" saddles out there (my petite friend rides her 15.3 in one), but otherwise it's worth playing around with putting a queen (padding) on the leaping head to get her lower leg nearer to it. If you have a specialist saddler near you they may have some other useful ideas about making do - http://www.sidesaddleassociation.co.uk/images/advice/Saddlers List.pdf or try sidesaddle riders on facebook
 

Velcrobum

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There are some lovely 15" saddles out there (my petite friend rides her 15.3 in one), but otherwise it's worth playing around with putting a queen (padding) on the leaping head to get her lower leg nearer to it. If you have a specialist saddler near you they may have some other useful ideas about making do - http://www.sidesaddleassociation.co.uk/images/advice/Saddlers List.pdf or try sidesaddle riders on facebook

This query is in respect to an astride saddle not a sidesaddle. ( I am a sidesaddle member not having a pop)
 

Milanesa

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This, absolutely. There is no such thing as the seat size being too small for the horse, only for the rider.
I would try something like a grippy seat saver if you can, see where she sits in the saddle, if she can stay in the deepest part and be reasonably aligned shoulder-hip-heel then you're probably good to go, but many riders end up sliding around or sitting permanently too far back or forwards.
 

Milanesa

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Hi all- we have been using the adult saddle with kid stirrups and she seems to be getting on just fine. She is starting to canter and seems to move around a lot in the big saddle so will have a look at some sort of seat saver- if anyone can help provide links and or names of anything that might help her I would appreciate it.
 
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