Saddle fitting for a shetland

[HannahB]

I'd like to get my shetland ridden under saddle - she used to be ridden a few years before I got her and she's used to bare back now but still occasionally bolts. I tried my 16 inch saddle on her from my cob, I'd just like opinions on whether it is useable with a shorter girth or whether I'd need a smaller (14 inch?) one so it doesn't go too far on her back. Thanks

 

[Palindrome]

It's too long. I think a cub saddle is your best bet.

 

[HannahB]

But would a smaller saddle fit? I wouldn't necessarily be riding her, it would be my younger sister I teach (10yo) so doesn't need to fit me

 

[Palindrome]

But would a smaller saddle fit? I wouldn't necessarily be riding her, it would be my younger sister I teach (10yo) so doesn't need to fit me

I have had a petite 10 years old ride my welsh shetland cross in a Wintec cub saddle. If the rider does not fit in the cub saddle they are likely to be too big for the pony IMO.

 

[Equi]

As said if the rider won’t fit into the saddle then they won’t fit the pony. 16” is far too long for them. You can get 12” saddles specifically for Shetland/minis but not sure where does them anymore.

 

[HannahB]

If I can find a 12 inch then I think she will fit. She's pretty much dwarfed by my saddle as it is

 

[Maisie53]

I'd look at a shires Aviemore pad.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Do Thorowgood still do their pony club model? They were pretty good for tinies. Proper saddle shaped but some tiny sizes.,

 

[ElleSkywalkingintheair]

Milners saddlery in Melton Mowbray do a special shetland pony pad ?

 

[stangs]

Zoe Snape Shetland saddle pad?

 

[NeverSurrender]

My Shetland is worked in an Aviemore type pad which works well for him.

 

[Gloi]

A pad rather than a saddle is a better bet.

 

[Shizzle]

Our Shetland wears a Shires aviemore pad, they are better than a cub saddle and look like a showing saddle. My daughter loves it.

 

[sbloom]

The rider's weight should be mostly born on the ribcage, it isn't just arbitrary that we choose a saddle that looks small enough. Here's a guide to seeing where the end of the weight bearing area should sit https://www.ahsaddles.com/post/2019/04/30/horse-shopping-saddle-length-part-1. Some larger shetlands can take a 14" (some of the tiny show saddles come up small and they might take a 15" but I'd not recommend the saddles anyway!), but usually people go for a Shetland pad. Have a look at Guy Cantin's pads, he's French, but the pads are a bit more "saddle" than most pads.

 

[Melandmary]

Or a paddle saddle from HM?

 

[Jellymoon]

Zoe Snape pads are good.

 

[maya2008]

Thorn pad.

 

[HannahB]

Can you attach stirrups to the pads?

 

[sbloom]

Can you attach stirrups to the pads?

Yes, though the horse is more vulnerable to pressure points there obviously so should be checked regularly, by your hands weekly and a bodyworker regularly.

 

[Hallo2012]

The rider's weight should be mostly born on the ribcage, it isn't just arbitrary that we choose a saddle that looks small enough. Here's a guide to seeing where the end of the weight bearing area should sit https://www.ahsaddles.com/post/2019/04/30/horse-shopping-saddle-length-part-1. Some larger shetlands can take a 14" (some of the tiny show saddles come up small and they might take a 15" but I'd not recommend the saddles anyway!), but usually people go for a Shetland pad. Have a look at Guy Cantin's pads, he's French, but the pads are a bit more "saddle" than most pads.

never heard of Guy Cantin but they look good-do you think a tiny (sub 8 stone slim) adult would get away with one in 16 or 16.5 or kiddies only? i am assuming they have the same potentials for pressure points as thorn pads etc?

 

[teddy_]

I have competed a Shetland in a Thorn pad with no issues as I am 5ft3 ?.

 

[sbloom]

never heard of Guy Cantin but they look good-do you think a tiny (sub 8 stone slim) adult would get away with one in 16 or 16.5 or kiddies only? i am assuming they have the same potentials for pressure points as thorn pads etc?

I would have thought so, I think he does speak some English so you could ask for sizing advice if there's none on the site. I've not seen one in the flesh but I had a friend took her daughter through the early stages of BYRDS in one, and had the jump one for hacking and jumping, daughter had it into her early teens for sure and pony was never sore from it.

There are pads that spread pressure a certain amount but I'd want to see their evidence (sheepskin does a pretty good job) but not sure what would work in terms of stability and feel for the rider under it.

 

[Hallo2012]

I would have thought so, I think he does speak some English so you could ask for sizing advice if there's none on the site. I've not seen one in the flesh but I had a friend took her daughter through the early stages of BYRDS in one, and had the jump one for hacking and jumping, daughter had it into her early teens for sure and pony was never sore from it.

There are pads that spread pressure a certain amount but I'd want to see their evidence (sheepskin does a pretty good job) but not sure what would work in terms of stability and feel for the rider under it.

thanks will message them.......VIP maybe?

think sheepskin be too unstable, gel no good for fascia, prolite?

 

[sbloom]

thanks will message them.......VIP maybe?

think sheepskin be too unstable, gel no good for fascia, prolite?

Prolites are very average, old tech. VIP is slightly better but I think it's more for shock absorbency, look up performance for Akton (and they do a flat, basic version of the VIP pad for less money).

 

[Hallo2012]

Prolites are very average, old tech. VIP is slightly better but I think it's more for shock absorbency, look up performance for Akton (and they do a flat, basic version of the VIP pad for less money).

on it thanks!

 

[maya2008]

For the original OP - for a larger child we have also used the child sized Barefoot saddle with a child sized equitex pad (age 9 plus for jumping and longer distance hacking). It would only fit on a really full-up Shettie as ours is 10.3hh and I wouldn’t go any bigger…. Medium sized child or doing less work we still use our Thorn pad and the same equitex pad to cushion the pony’s back.