Help seating child on adult saddle

Time for Tea

Time for Tea

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My grandson is coming to stay and I’m wondering if there is a seat saver or similar that would help him balance in my 17 inch saddle? He is 8 but quite a slight child and his legs just slide forward. Perhaps I should just try tying the stirrups to the girth? The pony is far too big for him as well, but the pony is perfectly angelic with him. He isn’t here very much or for long, so I won’t be buying a Shetland or a special saddle. I think what he really needs is riding lessons at home but they can’t find anywhere suitable.
 
Heather Moffett seat saver, the suede gives smalls extra grip, my daughter has used one on her pony since she was 4 and we moved on from the cub saddle, also a clip on (to the D rings) handle helps as it’s more intuitive to grab than a neck strap.
 
Any grippy seat saver though one that has bulk over the twist rather than either side of it, making it higher/narrower rather than wider, should help, as would putting something like foam under the back of it to shorten the seat. And yes, a grab strap and appropriate length leathers and secure stirrups.
 
HopOnTrot said:
Heather Moffett seat saver, the suede gives smalls extra grip, my daughter has used one on her pony since she was 4 and we moved on from the cub saddle, also a clip on (to the D rings) handle helps as it’s more intuitive to grab than a neck strap.
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Thank you for this suggestion, that sounds very helpful and the D ring handle too. Yes, he would be toppled forward if he tried to hold a neck strap.
 
Time for Tea said:
Yes, that’s right, I have done that but the saddle is quite forward cut and his little legs just slide forward. But thank you for the suggestion.
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They will, we shouldn't be using blocks to stop our legs moving forwards anyway (not relevant in this case but always worth mentioning), it's the shape of the seat, construction of the saddle under the thigh and the horse's ribcage shape that determine where the leg goes in relation to that rider's pelvic shape and hip conformation. When the base of support is too wide the knee goes forwards, and often turns out, along with the foot.

An all over grippy seat cover would help but they're not a common thing to come across. You could use sticky backed velcro or just strong double sided tape to make "knee blocks" further back on the flap, or attach them to girth straps, to give him something to help him keep his leg back just for these few rides.
 
sbloom said:
Any grippy seat saver though one that has bulk over the twist rather than either side of it, making it higher/narrower rather than wider, should help, as would putting something like foam under the back of it to shorten the seat. And yes, a grab strap and appropriate length leathers and secure stirrups.
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Thank you, that is a really good clue about the seat twist. And the foam at the back. He only weighs about 20 kg so the pony will not mind any of this I don’t think. I’ve bought some stirrup cages you clip on to an ordinary stirrup to stop feet sliding through.

I’ve just seen your latest message and I will experiment with home made knee blocks. It’s just to help him get his balance and then he will soon be strong enough to control his legs, he is very strong and wiry although like a drink of water to look at!
 
Boys tend to sit with their feet forwards in a saddle which (to them) has a high pommel for anatomical reasons. It might be him trying to get comfy and protect himself rather than the saddle pulling his legs forwards.

Comfy thickish seat saver definitely.
 
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maya2008 said:
Boys tend to sit with their feet forwards in a saddle which (to them) has a high pommel for anatomical reasons. It might be him trying to get comfy and protect himself rather than the saddle pulling his legs forwards.

Comfy thickish seat saver definitely.
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This is interesting because his younger brother is just so relaxed and seems to fall into a natural good position whatever pony or saddle he is on (both the two ponies are too big) and I have to say he isnt very interested in doing it, but the older boy is keen and wants to do well, but is more tense. I will aim for comfy!
 
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