Pony saddle for bigger kids

[Not_so_brave_anymore]

So far my kids have just been riding in a cub saddle,which actually fits our slightly odd shaped 11.3 pony pretty well (she's got a fairly narrow back, but then a big ribcage- saddle pads/treeless don't fit her at all). But it doesn't really fit my 8yo (average height, skinnyish build) son at all!

I naievely thought I'd be able to find a saddler with a small selection of second hand pony saddles, but no one round here has anything that small second hand in stock. I wasn't really planning on spending £500++ for a saddle for very low level pottering around, but equally I'm aware that my kids aren't just tiny tots, and obviously I want the pony to be comfortable.

So, what about the shires hi lite self adjusting? A quick Google suggests that they're not great for adults, because they can create pinch points and pressure points. But what about for a bigger but still not very heavy kid? He's currently 23kg.

Am I clutching at straws here?!

 

[Flamenco]

Might be worth asking if any of your local fitters would come out to do a template and advise you what to buy online?

Mine has done this for several people at our yard then comes back to check and flock them. It means two call outs but it still saves you several £100s. She hasn't been wrong yet but obviously there's a small risk you'll need to resell it if it doesn't fit. She says ebay has killed the market for second hand saddles.

I can't believe a saddle can self adjust, reminds me of the attempts to claim that adjustable gullet saddles will fit any horse. I don't have any experience of them though so I'm happy to be corrected if I'm wrong!

 

[MissFliss]

Following as also need a new saddle for the kids pony! Good idea about asking a saddler too come out and do a template

 

[meltb]

So far my kids have just been riding in a cub saddle,which actually fits our slightly odd shaped 11.3 pony pretty well (she's got a fairly narrow back, but then a big ribcage- saddle pads/treeless don't fit her at all). But it doesn't really fit my 8yo (average height, skinnyish build) son at all!

I naievely thought I'd be able to find a saddler with a small selection of second hand pony saddles, but no one round here has anything that small second hand in stock. I wasn't really planning on spending £500++ for a saddle for very low level pottering around, but equally I'm aware that my kids aren't just tiny tots, and obviously I want the pony to be comfortable.

So, what about the shires hi lite self adjusting? A quick Google suggests that they're not great for adults, because they can create pinch points and pressure points. But what about for a bigger but still not very heavy kid? He's currently 23kg.

Am I clutching at straws here?!

I had a hi lite saddle for my old pony (( a long time ago!!)) it moulded to her and sat well enough while I was saving up for a proper saddle- it does the 'job' but I wouldn't buy it long term. however if its a case of just pottering around you might be alright?

 

[Not_so_brave_anymore]

Thanks everyone. I've just had an email this morning from a local(ish!) saddler who has suggested exactly that- she'll come up and suggest a template, and then if I can find anything suitable second-hand then she'll come back and reflock where necessary etc.

This might work out as much as £200 cheaper than her cheapest new saddle (t4) but I guess it will depend on whether I can find anything remotely suitable online, for a sensible price......