Saddle for shetland and suitability advice please

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Hayjay

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I have a 24 year old lovely shetland boy. Owned him for 16 years and he has been grass cutter and lead rein occasionally for my three children. Only my middle daughter, nearly 8 years old, is showing any real and sustained interest. She rode our little man on the lead rein over the summer and we have talked about getting her her own pony. Ive kind of sidelined the shetland as I thought her too big for him but technically, is she? She is average maybe slightly under height for nearly 8 and slender build (dad's genes not mine ☺️). He is perfect in that she can handle him on the ground and he is so trustworthy. Also she is not really confident off lead rein after a fall in a lesson. I'm thinking we bring him slowly back into work (now have access to an arena) and she can take care of him over the summer, learn all the basics - tacking up, mucking out, feet picking, on an appropriate sized from the ground and proven kind pony. I feel like ive had a lightbulb moment - am I right? Now if anyone agrees, I need saddle advice as felt pad is falling to bits and feel we need something more saddle like but what? Thanks for reading ��

Forgot to say he is a 10hh shetland - everyone says he looks 'big' for a shetland!
 
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Thank you both. Ive been googling and think a 14" wide saddle would be fine but hopefully someone more experienced than me will comment on that. I can also see from googling that daughter will be fine on him for a few years yet �� He seriously needs to lose more weight as he got a bit footy on the stones last year and with hindsight I think he was borderline laminitic. The exercise will do him good.
 
My Shettie cross has a 14" Maxam which fits nicely, again not made now but can find them 2nd hand. I'm also using it on a big Standard to break him in but intend to order a Thorn saddle pad after next pay day as he looks a bit silly in the Maxam. I also agree that your daughter will have lots of fun and gain experience on a willing pony she trusts.
 
I fit Shetlands with 13-14" saddles, an upswept plain panel with no rear gusset will help with shortening the footprint on the pony. You will need a pretty flat tree, even if the pony has withers you need the middle of the saddle to be flat. I would also look for a point strap and possibly 4 girth straps in total.
 
Thank you. I have a very old 16" maxam that I used for breaking - it was very cheap but is very comfy. I'll check out ebay.
 
The Maxim saddles do tend to fit shetlands ok. I prefer the pads but it depends what you want to do with him. Being 24yo you'd need to bring the work back in slowly.

With her being 8yo she can still do M&M Lead Rein showing as well as veterans. Most local/pony club shows have child handler classes so that could be an idea for summer if you fancy a few outings.
 
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