Leg straps to hold child in Saddle?

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showpony

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My good god, spoke to a friend overseas today and her youngest has started jumping & she has said that someone @ her Barn has recommended that they fit leg straps to the saddle to help ensure child doesn't come off!!!!

Now I'm a Mum & NEVER heard of this, has anyone else heard of this? Is it Legal?
Surely its a safety risk?

Still in shock - thought she was losing the plot:eek:
 
Ohhhh.. Idea ! Am off to design a Velcro pad to fit to saddles with attachment for child's botty. That should keep em stuck tight:) do you think I'd need some form of quick release in case the horse falls over or can I rely on little kids having rubber bones ;)
 
TrasaM said:
Ohhhh.. Idea ! Am off to design a Velcro pad to fit to saddles with attachment for child's botty. That should keep em stuck tight:) do you think I'd need some form of quick release in case the horse falls over or can I rely on little kids having rubber bones ;)
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Can I order one for a big botty please. I need all the help I can get.
 
The only time I have ever seen leg straps on a child whilst riding was at the RDA school where the child was in a special seat which held him up - this was on a pony too old to do anything other than plod and with 3 assistants at the side of him and me leading. I would not want my child strapped to a pony while going over a jump :eek:

My RI used to use a strap from the stirrup to the girth when I was jumping - and yes I realise now how dangerous that was :eek:
 
Yes that sounds totally safe ! gret idea there really on to something i would advise taking childs hat off though, incase it slips forwards. Also it may be an idea to tie the child with bailing twine ?

:D Certain people do worry me, I would certainly like to be able to free myself from a horse who falls through a jump and crushes you !
 
Never heard of an actually 'proper' way of doing this :p It's never going to end well!

However, many moons ago my yard owner took the baby stallion off to his first little show, after multiple deckings in the warm up ring she decided to tie her stirrups to the girth :D Worked a charm, doubt it's dressage legal though ;)
 
Jesus.
I can understand on rda one mentioned, but for anyone else and jumping... Wonder who will pick up the bill when that goes wrong. The idiot who put their kids in them is bound to sue someone :/
 
You are only jealous Patterdale, after all baby pitter patter is old enough to be tied onto a horses back with baling twine to do a bit of unaffiliated sj. I do it all the time myself, much easier than waiting for stuff like balance & an independent seat. These days I just super glue my daughters hands to the reins too, as well as the saddle. And of course an overgirth round her legs & the pony for jumping.
 
Hevs said:
The only time I have ever seen leg straps on a child whilst riding was at the RDA school where the child was in a special seat which held him up - this was on a pony too old to do anything other than plod and with 3 assistants at the side of him and me leading. I would not want my child strapped to a pony while going over a jump :eek:
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Our group has a special saddle with adjustable velcroed blocks which hold the rider's legs in the correct position but would not impede a fall. The riders who use this saddle, usually have CP and always have several helpers who will pre-empt a fall in most situations and of course the saddle is only ever put on a very steady animal.
I think we did put rubber bands round the toes and stirrups of one child who constantly took his feet out of the stirrups, he had at least 3 helpers on every ride and again, a very steady pony. The bands would have broken if he had somehow managed to fall off.
 
You're so right littlelegs, at 3 months I am morally failing him by not getting him started on the pony.

Ill have to get some kind of stay apparatus for him as he can't sit up yet, but if I get him sufficiently anchored he'll be on the pony teams before July *crosses fingers*
 
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