Saddle for a standard Shetland with 8 year old rider? Ideas?

[maya2008]

Our shettie is amazing and my son still has a couple of years until his feet are below her belly. But...the Thorn pad keeps heading for her ears, despite non-stick pads etc. It is fine with the same rider on a larger pony, or on the Shetland with a smaller rider. Do we now need a ‘proper’ saddle of sorts? Any ideas? She likes to change shape with the seasons, so not sure I’d get a treed saddle that would fit year-round.

 

[Bonnie Allie]

The Thorowgood pony club 14” worked a treat for our shetlands when our twins were that age. We had two shetlands, both outfitted in the thorowgoods.

 

[Not_so_brave_anymore]

I've got a little dartmoor, who is basically a Shetland with longer legs. Thorowgood 14" here as well, stays put, and the kids sit nicely in it (less of an "armchair" position than with the cub saddle we were using before)

 

[Mojo-dtxo]

Voltaire design Bardette saddle ? X

 

[Gloi]

It's worth getting your Shettie used to a crupper.

 

[Lady Jane]

(1) Kizzy & Etties Pony Adventures | Facebook

This is a link! two little girls and their ponies and tack described.
They use these for saddles:

(1) Posh Pony Pads | Facebook

 

[Sleipnir]

The Ghost treeless have a lovely Mini/Midi model thst puts the Child in a good position and can be fitted to most backs. They also don't slide!

 

[hollyandivy123]

https://www.hmsaddles.com/collections/hm-pad-dle/products/hm-pad-dle

 

[Orangehorse]

Interested. I think children should learn to ride on a soft saddle, so long as it stays in place. If in an ordinary hard saddle they tend to sit on top of the pony rather than learn to go along with the feeling of movement. When they start to jump they can move up to a hard saddle. Having said that I had to jump and gymkhana on a felt saddle, as we couldn't afford anything else. Teaches you to stick on!

 

[maya2008]

Interested. I think children should learn to ride on a soft saddle, so long as it stays in place. If in an ordinary hard saddle they tend to sit on top of the pony rather than learn to go along with the feeling of movement. When they start to jump they can move up to a hard saddle. Having said that I had to jump and gymkhana on a felt saddle, as we couldn't afford anything else. Teaches you to stick on!

I would agree - my son struggles with the pommel on ‘hard’ saddles - my husband agrees! He had been riding for 5 years (off lead for 3) so is well past the beginning stage.


I will investigate all options though, soft or not! She’s cheeky at times but they adore each other and I can hack out on the roads and across the countryside with them in tow, with no worries at all. She will even give the youngsters a lead when needed. Worth her weight in gold, she is!

 

[sbloom]

Interested. I think children should learn to ride on a soft saddle, so long as it stays in place. If in an ordinary hard saddle they tend to sit on top of the pony rather than learn to go along with the feeling of movement. When they start to jump they can move up to a hard saddle. Having said that I had to jump and gymkhana on a felt saddle, as we couldn't afford anything else. Teaches you to stick on!

A well fitted leather, wooden treed pony saddle should give a really nice close contact feel. I'm not against pads, and the Guy Cantin ones are interesting, I've heard good reports, but they may slip forwards too in some circumstances I'm sure. I have fitted standard Shetlands, they generally take 13-14" saddles but you shouldn't guess of course, work with a good fitter with good experience with natives (and suitable brands!). I'm not the biggest fan of the TG/K&M but it can work for some.