Saddle for a big Shetland? With knee rolls?

[Kirstineridesagain]

My daughter is sharing a big Shetland but his saddle isn't great. It has no knee rolls and is one of those meant for five-year-olds. My daughter is nearly 11 and so won't be riding him for more than a year-ish. But they're getting on well and they are having jumping lessons (he's a great jumper). He's got no neck and sometimes puts his head down, so in order for her to stay on board her instructor advised us to get a better saddle.

Can you rent saddles? And do saddles with proper knee rolls exist for Shetlands? I'm borrowing a TCS next week for my horse, but that doesn't have knee support so wouldn't work I guess...

If I wanted to buy a used saddle, where should I look? I have heard Facebook is not advised due to scammers.

 

[sbloom]

Facebook Used Specialist Native/Cob saddles group. You'll need a good fitter, I would get advice first berore trying to source a saddle, saves time and m9 ey in the long run. Find someone experienced with natives who covers/travels to your area.

 

[Fastasflames]

most shetlands that are ridden properly are in thorn pads which have knee rolls, a cheaper version (under £100!) is the shires aviemore pad which also has little rolls and is way better than a cub saddle which is what Im guessing he is in?
The other option would be something like a black country poppy or slimline poppy in a 14.5" but being a treed saddle its going to be 4 times the price. Ive never come across a saddle rental but good quality brands like black country hold their value if looked after. Have a look on ebay, fb is the work of the devil!

speak to a saddle fitter if you can

 

[Kirstineridesagain]

We spoke to the saddle fiter and she recommended a Zoe Snape saddle pad. So that's on the way in the post and we're very excited. Anyone has any experience with these? It doesn't have knee rolls as such but it has some knee support. Hopefully it will sit better than the current tiny Wintec one, which is very far forward.

 

[Fastasflames]

yes these are really good, we had on instead of a cub saddle for the toddler years but not enough support for the proper, independent ridden job unfortunately

 

[sbloom]

We spoke to the saddle fiter and she recommended a Zoe Snape saddle pad. So that's on the way in the post and we're very excited. Anyone has any experience with these? It doesn't have knee rolls as such but it has some knee support. Hopefully it will sit better than the current tiny Wintec one, which is very far forward.

Pros and cons, they're not a saddle as such, it might stay back, it might not. They don't give riders a lot of support but for some tiny riders that lack helps them really develop their seat, others not so much, and others it can put them off riding altogether.

 

[Kirstineridesagain]

We went with it, it's really comfy my daughter says. We've decided to not do too much jumping at the moment anyway, so we're happy with it.