Saddle size - mini Shetland

Leam_Carrie

Leam_Carrie

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I want to get some tack for my mini Shetland as he’s meant to be broken and it would be nice to find him a little rider. He’s 33/34” - so would a 10” or 12” cub saddle be best?
Also how do you measure girth size without having the saddle? Thanks
 
It's impossible to say, ribcage length can't be determined from height I'm afraid. I would have a fitter out to assess him or opt for the smaller saddle to be safe. And you can only really determine girth length once you have the saddle and ideally from trying various lengths, you want the longest short girth possible, or the shortest long girth, if you see what I mean.
 
I use Willis felt pads on mine, far better than cub saddles (unless you are really only using them once a week or so)even for really tiny ones. Both saddles have a little handle on the front too. My 2 are 32 & 33".
On a felt saddle, even a baby that can sit up will enjoy the sensation of sitting there, and 2 or 3 yr olds get a very good seat quite quickly.

Worth looking at Zoe Snape saddles?
 
The Fuzzy Furry said:
I use Willis felt pads on mine, far better than cub saddles (unless you are really only using them once a week or so)even for really tiny ones. Both saddles have a little handle on the front too. My 2 are 32 & 33".
On a felt saddle, even a baby that can sit up will enjoy the sensation of sitting there, and 2 or 3 yr olds get a very good seat quite quickly.

Worth looking at Zoe Snape saddles?
Click to expand...

This ^, or a tiny treeless saddle which will give the rider a bit more support. We have a treeless for our hard to fit Dartmoor and Grandson is very stable in it plus a comfortable pony. She is 18 and I don't think her previous owners ever had a saddle that fitted her and made her comfortable, they were more concerned with rider comfort and then wondered why she bucked!
 
Great advice, thank you. I don’t have a little rider for the Shetland so whatever I get is for occasional use. Thought I should start by putting some tack on. Will get looking for the ones you suggest on eBay :)
 
I would stick to known quality, a Snape pad is much cheaper than any saddle, and could easily be cheaper than even a used saddle. I would be wary of brands I've not heard of and certainly wouldn't attach stirrups, Snapes are well regarded.
 
Is it Shires that have just brought out a pony pad to rival Snape and Thorn at half the price? I'm sure it's them if not it's another well known, cheap make which would be fine for occasional use.

The best way of keeping felt clean is by using a numnah! My felt saddles only see the actual back of the pony at shows when the pony is sparklingly clean!

Eta - just googled it and it is Shires- it's called an Aviemore and only made in 15.5in which is quite big for a Shetland let alone a mini. Sports direct are the cheapest at £65 just now.
 
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